Satellite Internet Cost Calculator: True Total Cost Compared
The advertised monthly price of satellite internet is misleading. Equipment fees, lease charges, electricity costs, and contract obligations can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your actual bill. This calculator shows the true total cost of ownership for Starlink, HughesNet, and Viasat over 1 to 3 years - so you can compare what you will actually pay.
Starlink (Residential)
LEO orbitHughesNet (Select)
GEO orbit100 GB cap, 2-year contract, equipment lease $9.99-$19.99/mo
Viasat (Essential)
GEO orbit12-month contract, equipment lease included
Total Cost Comparison (24 months)
Based on your calculation
Over 24 months, HughesNet Select is the most affordable option at $1,656 total ($69.00/mo average). That saves you $1,765 compared to Starlink Residential.
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Get NordVPN dealAffiliateHow We Calculate True Cost
Our calculator adds up every cost you will actually pay as a satellite internet customer - not just the headline monthly price:
- Equipment costs - Starlink requires a one-time dish purchase ($349 standard, $249 Mini). HughesNet and Viasat include equipment via a monthly lease fee instead.
- Monthly service fees - The base subscription price for your chosen plan, multiplied by the number of months.
- Equipment lease fees - HughesNet charges $9.99-$19.99/mo and Viasat charges $15/mo for equipment rental. We use $15/mo as the typical lease rate for both. Starlink has no lease fee since you purchase the hardware outright.
- Electricity - Satellite dishes run 24/7. Starlink's standard dish draws about 75W (~$8/mo), the Mini about 40W (~$4/mo), and GEO dishes about 30W (~$4/mo). Based on the US average electricity rate of approximately $0.16/kWh.
Note: We use entry-level pricing for each provider and assume typical lease rates. Your actual costs may vary based on promotions, regional pricing, local electricity rates, and specific plan selection. Prices are current as of March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Starlink really cost per month?
Starlink Residential costs $120/mo for service plus a one-time $349 equipment fee. When you factor in equipment amortized over 24 months, the true monthly cost is about $134.54. Add electricity (~$8/mo for the standard dish) and you are looking at roughly $142/mo all-in.
The Lite plan starts at $80/mo with the same equipment cost, bringing the 24-month average to around $102/mo including electricity. The Starlink Mini uses a smaller $249 dish and consumes less power, making it the most affordable Starlink option.
Is HughesNet actually cheaper than Starlink?
In raw dollars, yes. HughesNet Select at $50/mo plus ~$15/mo equipment lease totals roughly $1,656 over 24 months. Starlink Residential at $120/mo plus a $349 dish totals about $3,421 over the same period.
However, HughesNet delivers much lower speeds (50 Mbps vs 200 Mbps), has 600ms+ latency that makes video calls and gaming nearly impossible, and enforces data caps on most plans. On a cost-per-megabit basis, Starlink delivers significantly more value. If you only need basic browsing and email in a remote area, HughesNet may be sufficient at a lower price.
What hidden costs does satellite internet have?
Beyond the advertised monthly price, watch for these costs:
- Equipment purchase or lease - $249-$450 one-time or $10-$20/mo
- Electricity - $4-$12/mo to power the dish 24/7
- Professional installation - Required for HughesNet and Viasat (sometimes included, sometimes $100+)
- Early termination fees - HughesNet charges up to $400 for breaking a 2-year contract
- Data overage slowdowns - Plans with caps may throttle speeds after you exceed your limit
- Mounting hardware - Starlink may need a roof mount, pole mount, or ethernet adapter ($25-$150)
How much electricity does a satellite dish use?
Satellite dishes run continuously and their power draw varies by type:
- Starlink Standard - ~75W average, roughly $8/mo at US electricity rates
- Starlink Mini - ~40W average, roughly $4/mo
- HughesNet - ~30W average, roughly $4/mo
- Viasat - ~30W average, roughly $4/mo
These estimates use the US average electricity rate of about $0.16/kWh. Starlink's phased-array antenna draws more power because it actively steers its beam to track LEO satellites. It also has a built-in heater for snow/ice melting that can spike power usage to 100W+ in winter. GEO dishes are simpler and draw less power since they point at a fixed position in the sky.