Pros and Cons of Viasat Internet in October 2026
Here is a current look at Viasat home internet, using the plans Viasat put live on October 8, 2026 after its ViaSat-3 F2 satellite entered service.
| Plan | First 12 months | After 12 months | Download commitment and possible upload speed | Data | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $39.99/mo | $69.99/mo | 80+ Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps (peaks up to 150 Mbps) | 150 GB high-speed, then unlimited Standard Data | 24-month minimum |
| Unleashed | $69.99/mo | $99.99/mo | 80+ Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps (peaks up to 180 Mbps) | Unlimited high-speed | No contract |
| Unleashed Max | $109.99/mo | $179.99/mo | 80+ Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps (peaks up to 200 Mbps) | Unlimited high-speed, highest network priority | No contract |
Prices from viasat.com as of October 8, 2026. First-12-month prices are a promotion for new residential customers. Every plan adds a $15/mo equipment lease; taxes, surcharges and add-ons are extra. Ordered through RSINC, every plan is guaranteed at least 80 Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps and are not guaranteed; burst figures are short peaks. Availability varies by address.
The number that matters is the floor: when you order Viasat through RSINC, you're guaranteed at least 80 Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps and are not guaranteed on every plan. That is enough for several HD streams and video calls at once. Actual speeds depend on network conditions. In our experience, Unleashed usually runs around 180 Mbps. Speed mostly matters when something isn't working, so pick a plan for its data and network priority, not its burst number. Here is how RSINC's 80 Mbps minimum speed guarantee works.
Ordered through RSINC, every Viasat plan is guaranteed at least 80 Mbps download through RSINC; uploads can reach 3-5 Mbps and are not guaranteed. Pros: broad coverage in the contiguous United States, subject to address eligibility and a suitable dish installation, no-contract unlimited plans (Unleashed $69.99/mo, Unleashed Max $109.99/mo for the first year), professional installation. Cons: high satellite latency, a $15/mo lease, prices that rise after 12 months, and Starlink is often faster for similar money.
Prices, speeds and terms from viasat.com, checked October 8, 2026. Promo prices are for new residential customers; taxes and fees extra.
Pros
- Wide availability: satellite service reaches rural homes that cable and fiber don't.
- No-contract unlimited plans: Unleashed and Unleashed Max have unlimited high-speed data and no early termination fee.
- A cheap entry price: Essentials starts at $39.99/mo for the first year (150 GB high-speed data, 24-month term).
- Professional installation and current router options; check equipment, installation and activation charges before ordering.
- More capacity: Viasat says ViaSat-3 F2, in service since September 17, 2026, adds more than 1 Tbps over the Americas, and that existing customers should see less congestion as new customers move to it.
Cons
- Latency: geostationary satellites sit about 22,000 miles up, so ping is high. PCMag's September 2026 report cited about 696 ms on a Viasat plan versus roughly 20 to 30 ms on Starlink. See why Viasat's ping is high.
- Peak speeds trail Starlink: Viasat sells on its guaranteed 80 Mbps floor (when ordered through RSINC) rather than top speed, and Starlink's top plans list far higher peaks.
- Extra fees: a $15/mo lease on every plan, and a one-time install or activation fee may be charged even though standard installation is advertised as free.
- Promo pricing: prices jump after 12 months, by $70 on Unleashed Max.
- Data priority rules: Essentials slows to Standard Data after 150 GB; heavy Unleashed users can be deprioritized during congestion.
How Viasat compares
Starlink offers lower-latency satellite service; prices and equipment offers depend on the address and plan. Hughesnet plans offer speeds up to 100 Mbps, with prices, promotions and contract terms that depend on the address. See Hughesnet vs Viasat vs Starlink, Viasat cost and what ViaSat-3 F2 means for Viasat customers.
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