HughesNet Reviews

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About HughesNet

HughesNet Gen5 offers a range of plans with fast speeds, built-in Wi-Fi and No Hard Data Limits, so you can do more of everything you love online. Available where you live today, even in areas with slow or no high-speed options.

Pros
  • Simple plans
  • No hard data caps
  • Good for rural areas
  • 24-month price lock
Cons
  • Expensive cancellation
  • May be slow

Helpful Reviews

Kansas City, MO
Verified purchase
Horrible customer service. They do not honor their word and lie about promos & notes they said they'd leave on their account. They will take your money and not give it back. They ...

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Amberg, WI
Verified purchase
I have really liked having Hughes Net for my internet. ... They really go out of their way to makes sure that any issues you may have are immediately addressed in a timely manner ...

Read more

What is HughesNet?

HughesNet has high-speed satellite internet with a 25 Mbps download speed on all plans. HughesNet also offers a “No Data Cap” promise that guarantees customers will receive service at a reduced speed instead of being charged more if they go over their data limits. With its “bonus zone,” customers can use 50 gigabytes of additional data each month during off-peak hours.

Traditional fiber or cable internet services may not be available to people who live in rural areas. However, because HughesNet is a satellite-based company, users all across the nation have access to its plans. According to the company, you can receive its services as long as you have a clear view of the southern sky.

HughesNet pricing

HughesNet offers four packages that start at $49.99 per month. All plans include 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds, but the plans differ in how much data can be used. With its lack of a hard cap on data, HughesNet does not charge overages for extra data use, but it does significantly throttle service speeds.

Customers can purchase their equipment outright or rent it for about $15 per month during their two-year contract. Customers must pay a $99 activation fee as well.

HughesNet FAQ

How fast is HughesNet?

All HughesNet plans include speeds of 25 Mbps, which is considered average for the industry.

How much is HughesNet?

HughesNet plans start at $49.99 per month.

Is HughesNet compatible with my Windows and Mac operating systems?

HughesNet works with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

What is HughesNet for Business?

HughesNet for Business is a division of HughesNet that offers business-specific internet services. It can be an affordable option for rural businesses that have a hard time getting access to traditional internet services.

Who owns HughesNet?

HughesNet is owned by EchoStar.

Can you work from home with HughesNet?

Yes, you can. With speeds of 25 Mbps, working from home should be fairly straightforward with HughesNet.

Does HughesNet offer TV?

HughesNet offers TV packages through DISH and DirectTV.

Still have questions?

Is HughesNet good?

For many rural business owners and families, HughesNet is a very affordable option for internet service. Although its plans are fairly limited in terms of flexibility and options, they’re designed to fit most families’ needs. Some homes that use the internet for more specific uses, such as gaming or HD video streaming, may find that its speeds aren’t ideal, but with its free "bonus zone," customers can download movies and install updates after hours to limit data usage.

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HughesNet Reviews

Over 10k reviews since 2012

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
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    Customer ServicePriceRefunds & PayoutsStaffBillingRates

    Reviewed May 20, 2026

    I'm going to start off by saying the service sucks, they told me whenever I got the service if I had any problems to let them know, which I did. My internet half ass worked, my home phone stayed messed up, but when I called in to see why it went out, they couldn't see on their end where it went out. So I regarded it. Now here is the kicker that got me and I no longer have there services btw... I told them I only get paid once amonth and thats towards the end of the month. They said they would work with me...I get told to bring my bill current and I did. They told me once I did that to call back in and change my due date to the end of the month. I did. So they told me when I called in that they couldn't help me change my due date to the end of the month.

    I never received my $100.00 card from them, and I called in and asked about on several occasions. I wouldn't recommend this service to anyone. LOOK elsewhere. They are a bunch of liars. When having a problem with their services they act like they're concerned but really they are not even remotely concern at all about what's going on with your services. Again if you're looking for services this isn't your way to go and plus it's not worth what they're asking per month for the services. I would give them a 0 rating if it was an option.

    For home intrernet and phone with these guys is about 150ish dollars a month. I've had nothing but bad experience. They also told me right before I dropped them that I had over 400.00 credit apllied to my account, WELL then I get told that my bill is past due after paying my bill. When I called in about my services that required a tech, well they sent one one that didn't have a ladder to get up on the roof of my house. I had to pull my car alongside of my house just to get up to the satellite and do the tech's job for him, and in the process I fall off my car onto the ground, not to mention I just had shoulder replacement couple months ago, now I'm looking at another surgery because of the fall.

    I wouldn't recommend this so called company to my dog. When I dropped them the lady that deleted my account for me told me that I need to get the radio transmitter off the satellite within 45 days, I told her well u better get someone out here to get it off for you cause I'm not. I'm not risking another fall and hurt my arm anymore than what has happened already. Nothing but rude, non professional people at this so called business.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageTechSales & MarketingPunctuality & SpeedStaffFollow-ThroughHonesty & Transparency

    Reviewed May 17, 2026

    I am filing this complaint against… I am filing this complaint against HughesNet regarding their unreliable service, misrepresentation of plan capabilities, and an unfair $400 Early Termination Fee (ETF) for a standard 24-month contract. We subscribed to HughesNet Fusion under the impression it was the best available option for our rural location. We were explicitly told there were "no data caps," which we now understand to be misleading due to the severe throttling after Priority Data is used, rendering the service unusable for critical applications.

    This unreliability has severe consequences for my wife, who is a Registered Nurse. Her work is her sole responsibility from Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Her job requires a stable, high-performance internet connection for video calls (VoIP) and VPN connections between doctors, nurse practitioners, and nursing homes during these exact hours. The current residential service is completely inadequate for this purpose. We experience daily outages, persistent echo and feedback on calls, and are forced to reset the equipment every few weeks, even when under our data threshold.

    Critically, we were never informed about HughesNet's dedicated business plans, which feature "Daytime Data" specifically designed for professional use between 8 am and 6 pm. We were sold a residential plan as the "best" option, despite our clearly stated, full-time professional needs, which constitutes a significant misrepresentation. We attempted to resolve this by contacting HughesNet, who offered only a $30 monthly credit, which does not address the fundamental issue of service quality. We have since ordered Starlink Max as a necessary alternative. While we understand the contract terms, the service provided does not meet the basic standard required for a critical profession and was not as advertised. We request the BBB to review this case, particularly concerning the failure to inform us of the appropriate business-tier solution for our needs.

    Key points from the results that support your case: A class-action lawsuit (Walter v. Hughes Communications) specifically alleged HughesNet misrepresented its speeds and data policies, which is directly relevant to your experience.

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      Customer ServiceTechPunctuality & SpeedRefunds & Payouts

      Reviewed May 15, 2026

      Barely one Star. I canceled my subscription. Never again. Poor customer service. All about the money. I was informed that I had to pay more in order to receive more quality service and more gigabytes. I was informed that the reason we received slow and continuously interrupted service was that we already used up the 100 gigabytes for the month and wouldn't receive more until after the 25th of every month and it was only the 15th. We were informed that we would need to pay for more gigabytes if we wanted faster services. I was informed that if we terminated the service that we need to pay $345. I told them that was unacceptable. This is the worst internet provider that I have ever used and I work from home.

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      Customer ServiceContract & TermsPricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsStaffRates

      Reviewed May 12, 2026

      I have been a customer since 6/2018. I live in a very rural area and options are limited. The speed is slow and inconsistent and with the highest priced package you are still capped on the amount of data you have unless you buy tokens at an extra price. I called to cancel my service after almost 8 years and they refuse to send me a box to return their equipment because I have a past due balance that I can’t pay till Friday. They say they are going to charge me for the equipment and that’s over $300 and will refund me the money after I return it. They also refused to remove my card off the account until I spoke to the 3rd representative, which was supposed to be the executive customer care person. Which said he took it off and finally cancelled my account. They still refuse to send me a box to return the equipment. I have Starlink now which is unlimited and cheaper.

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      Customer ServiceTechPunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed May 12, 2026

      I switched from Frontier to Hughesnet because it was supposed to be better. I ho through all my data in 4 days. I only use my phone and tv. I don't turn my tv on till around 10:30 or 11. The service goes off every evening by 5pm. I've called and all they say is to buy tokens. I pay 120 a month without tokens. My kids all have starlink and pay 120 a month and it has never went out. I'm waiting till my contract is up to cancel because they took 300 out of my friend's account the day he canceled service. I would not recommend hughesnet at all. And their staff had been rude every time I've called, just wanting me to buy something else. I had one guy that was polite and tried to help. Hughesnet is just as bad if not worse than Frontier!

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed May 2, 2026

      Zero stars. I canceled my subscription, sent back all the equipment. I was told by the FedEx worker keep the tracking because a lot of customers has been complaining HughesNet is going to say that they didn’t receive all the equipment back. The FedEx worker were correct. That what was told to me. Never again. Poor customer service. All about the money.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed April 30, 2026

      Don’t purchase this. You can get a WiFi module from your phone carrier or buy Starlink. This is garbage and the worst people to deal with and it’s ugly on the house.

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      Customer ServiceMaintenanceStaffBilling

      Reviewed April 28, 2026

      I am 80 years old. This is the worst company I have ever dealt with. Daughter was out of town when I called because it was not working. Grandson came up and help me pay the bills and missed it. There was no paper bill, no email. How the know when and how much to pay. Their loss. Several neighbors have ask about the dish, I simply tell them I would not recommend it.

      Ruby

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      Customer ServiceTech

      Reviewed April 22, 2026

      I would never recommend HughesNet internet or phone services to anyone. We have had these services for one year And have called many times due to our internet buffering AND trouble with phone service ever since we signed up a year ago! We are paying $395.00 to get out of our contract!! If you are thinking about going with HughesNet, think again!!

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      Customer ServiceTechPriceStaffBillingRatesTransparency

      Reviewed April 21, 2026

      I would rate Hughes at the lowest possible rating. Off shore customer service was difficult to understand, and there was no explanation for the increase of approX. $30. 00 from last month's bill. After at least 30 minutes with a rep...who was difficult to understand... still had no answers. I would rate Hughes Net at the lowest possible score. Would never recommend the service to any user. No explanation was given for the $30.00 increase in my monthly bill-with the rep simply reading charges off the bill. That is not an explanation. Do not ever use this provider. I would NEVER recommend this service to any user.

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      HughesNet Company Information

      Company Name:
      HughesNet
      Year Founded:
      1971
      Address:
      11717 Exploration Lane
      City:
      Germantown
      State/Province:
      MD
      Postal Code:
      20876
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.hughesnet.com