Your Guide to Streaming with Satellite Internet

Stream virtually anywhere with satellite cyberspace.

TV illustration

From peckish another run-through of Stranger Things to catching the latest Hulu Original, you lot can stream it all with satellite internet.

While it may not be every bit nice as streaming with unlimited fiber, satellite tin certainly hold its ain—especially if you're setting up entertainment in an RV or live out in the land where you lot're brusque on options.

Whatever your situation, we'll walk you lot through everything y'all need to know almost streaming with satellite internet

Tin I stream with satellite internet?

Let's clear up the rumors. Yes, you can definitely stream with satellite internet! Information technology works pretty much the same as any other internet type. Y'all generally need 3 Mbps to 4 Mbps of cyberspace speed for SD streaming on one device, and the lowest satellite internet plan starts at 12 Mbps. Come across? The math pans out. In that location are a few caveats you should know though:

  • Satellite internet tends to have a higher latency (longer information travel time) than other types of net.
  • Many satellite internet plans have lower data caps.
  • Satellite speeds can't achieve speeds as loftier every bit cable or fiber connections.

What is latency and how does information technology affect streaming?

Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for a piece of data (a bundle) to travel from its source to its destination. Low latency is a brusk corporeality of travel fourth dimension, and that'southward what we want. High latency is basically a longer delay between taking an activity and seeing the result. For instance, if yous're into online gaming, your motion might accept longer to process than the movement of an opponent who has a connection with lower latency.

Satellite internet is known for high latency. Information technology's comes with the gig. Since the point needs to travel an enormous distance betwixt the orbiting satellite and your device, there's not much that can be done nearly this. It's just role of the territory with satellite internet.

Our verdict: Although information technology's rough for online gaming, loftier latency shouldn't be a major event with streaming since response time isn't as crucial. Only if you're used to loftier-speed cable or cobweb connections, you might find it.

What are data caps and how exercise they affect streaming?

Information caps are limits put on the amount of data you can send or receive through your connexion each month. These limits are generally imposed by the Net Service Provider (ISP) every bit a way to residual big amounts of traffic on the network. Satellite internet services tend to take lower monthly information caps than other types, ofttimes in the 50 GB to 150 GB range. Exceeding the cap usually results in either slowed functioning (throttling) or an additional accuse.

Our verdict: If yous're a heavy streamer, you lot're probably going to run into your data cap more often with satellite net merely because it'southward lower. But the speeds should exist enough fast for your streaming habit.

How do I prepare streaming with satellite internet?

It'southward really easy to stream on satellite internet. But follow these steps.

  1. Choose a satellite net plan that suits your needs.
  2. Sign up for the streaming service you want to use.
  3. Take hold of a streaming device (TV, tablet, phone, etc.) and log in to your streaming service.
  4. Enjoy your shows.

Which satellite internet provider is best for streaming?

Viasat
  • Fast speeds
  • Large data caps (for satellite)
HughesNet
  • More affordable pricing
  • Helpful Bonus Zone information for downloading content

The two biggest satellite internet providers are Viasat and HughesNet. Each has pros and cons, but mostly speaking Viasat allows for higher-quality streams thank you to its faster speeds. It also offers larger data caps on the loftier-tier packages, allowing for more streaming earlier running into bug.

HughesNet's big advantage is a characteristic called the Bonus Zone. This is a carve up data allowance that kicks in between ii:00 a.m. and viii:00 a.grand. The extra Bonus Zone data allows you to get more mileage out of your connection by downloading shows and movies overnight to watch later on.

Viasat Internet

Viasat is a good selection for heavy streamers that desire the highest video quality they can get. Viasat plans starting time at $50 per month for 12 Mbps service, increasing to $150 per month for 100 Mbps.

The data is technically unlimited, only in practice there are soft caps where your speed will exist slowed. These range from 35 GB on the base plan to 150 GB on the top-tier Platinum 100 package.

Is Viasat (formerly Exede) skilful for streaming?

You bet. The basic Viasat packet is good for SD quality, while the Platinum 100 package can handle 1080p (HD) with ease. The higher data caps will permit you stream without worrying too much, though yous'll still demand to keep an eye on them to avert pesky slowing.

HughesNet Cyberspace

The only speed HughesNet offers is 25 Mbps, so streaming in HD on multiple devices at once might be a challenge if not impossible. But if you're fine with one device in SD, it will work great.

HughesNet plans really start out more expensive than Viasat, at $64.99 per calendar month, but it might be worth it for you. You get a speed of 25 Mbps with HughesNet instead of Viasat'south starting speed of 12 Mbps, which makes HughesNet a better pick for the value hunters.

Is HughesNet skilful for streaming?

It is, but for different reasons than Viasat. HughesNet data caps range from xv GB to 75 GB—a lot less than what Viasat offers.

Like Viasat, your speed volition be slowed subsequently reaching this limit, making streaming tough. HughesNet makes upwards for it with the Bonus Zone, though, giving you lot an extra fifty GB per month during the overnight hours. You tin can download your favorite shows while you lot slumber, and then sentinel them whenever you similar without eating into your normal data assart.

Is at that place an unlimited satellite cyberspace option?

Unfortunately, no. While Viasat and HughesNet are both technically unlimited, they have data thresholds where your speeds will exist reduced. You'll still have internet, but your connectedness will be and so dull that you almost tin't fifty-fifty utilize it.

Which streaming services are best for satellite internet?

Starting Price

Video quality

Netflix

$8.99/mo.

Upwardly to 4K

Hulu

$5.99/mo.

Upward to 1080p

Amazon Prime Video

$8.99/mo.

Up to 4K

DIRECTV NOW

$50.00/mo.

Upward to 720p

Sling TV

$25.00/mo.

Up to 1080p

PlayStation Vue

$44.99/mo.

Up to 1080p

YouTube Idiot box

$49.99/mo.

Up to 1080p

Choosing a streaming service comes down to your show preferences and budget. All of them volition work just fine with satellite internet, but continue in mind that bandwidth is limited with many satellite plans, so streaming in 4K probably won't happen without some hiccups (unless you get a big Viasat plan).

Netflix

Yes, you tin watch Netflix with satellite net. Netflix is ane of the almost popular streaming services, and for good reason. It offers a broad multifariousness of movies and shows on need, and it has some of the best original programming of whatsoever streaming platform, including hits like Bird Box and House of Cards. Prices start at $8.99 per calendar month for a Basic plan.

Attempt Netflix free for 30 days.

Hulu

In many ways, Hulu is a cousin to Netflix. The two services are fairly similar, only they offering dissimilar enough content that many people subscribe to both. Hulu really offers two different services: the standard on-demand selection, and a live TV service that tin serve as a cable replacement. Standard Hulu starts at but $5.99 per calendar month, while Hulu + Live Tv starts at $44.99 per month.

Try Hulu costless for xxx days.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video offers a similar feel to Netflix and Hulu, with an assortment of content bachelor on demand and its own excellent original lineup.

The best function of Amazon Prime Video, though, is that it comes included with an Amazon Prime number subscription. And so if you're already taking advantage of the gratuitous shipping and other benefits of Prime number, you lot don't have to beat out any more than cash to get your stream on.

Try Amazon Prime Video free for 30 days.

Sling Boob tube

Sling TV is some other livestreaming service that aims to replace your cable subscription. Sling differentiates itself by existence extremely affordable: packages get-go at simply $25 per month, and you lot can get the total service for just $40 per month.

Try Sling Tv free for vii days.

PlayStation Vue

PlayStation Vue offers livestreaming for PlayStation owners—only you lot don't demand Sony's game console to picket. PS Vue is supported on a broad assortment of devices and is great for sports fans. Packages get-go at $44.99 per month.

Endeavour PlayStation Vue complimentary for 5 days.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is one of the newest players in the streaming game, with live programming and an unlimited cloud DVR bachelor for $49.99 per month. YouTube Television comes with access to YouTube Originals, though we can't say this is as exciting equally what Netflix or Hulu offer.

Try YouTube Boob tube free for 7 days.

How much data will streaming use?

It depends on the quality of stream y'all're looking for, but generally streaming video is i of the most data-intensive online activities. These numbers from Netflix should requite you a general idea:

  • SD video: i GB/hour.
  • Hard disk video: three GB/.hr.

Basically, the higher the video quality, the more data it'southward going to eat up. If you're trying to save data, know that many streaming services set the quality automatically based on your connection's speed. This can be changed manually if yous're trying to conserve data.

Which streaming devices work all-time with satellite cyberspace?

Near popular streaming devices will piece of work just fine with satellite internet. Roku devices are pop for their wide back up of dissimilar services and easy-to-use interfaces, while the Xbox and PlayStation consoles allow you lot to play games and stream from the same device, making them an piece of cake choice for gamers.

Hither are all the popular streaming devices that we recommend to work best with satellite net:

  • Amazon Burn Stick
  • Apple Goggle box
  • Chromecast
  • Roku Streaming Stick
  • Xbox One
  • PlayStation three or PlayStation iv

Streaming alternatives

In that location'southward no mode effectually it: streaming video eats through data fast. HD video is specially hungry at around iii GB per hour. If your information cap is l GB, you lot could chew through that in a week by streaming just a little over two hours a solar day.

If you're a large TV buff and demand your HD, it might be worthwhile to await into other ways to go access to your favorite shows. If satellite is your only option, the best choices are DISH and DIRECTV.

DISH offers affordable packages and the best DVR in the business, while DIRECTV has a meliorate selection of packages and fantabulous sports programming. Both services are solid, and so choosing one comes downward to priorities. If you similar to tape a lot of shows for weekend binges, DISH is the better bet. If y'all just can't miss the big game, become with DIRECTV.

Compare DISH and DIRECTV.

Don't miss an episode.

Satellite cyberspace might have some limitations, but communicable upwards on your favorite bingeworthy shows isn't one of them. Just get the right program and watch your data cap, and you'll be blissfully streaming from wherever yous call abode.

Learn more almost Viasat vs. HughesNet.

Dave Schafer

Written by

Dave Schafer

Dave has written professionally for tech companies and consumer engineering sites for virtually five years, with a special focus on TV and internet. He uses his industry expertise to help readers at HighSpeedInternet.com get the most out of their services. No matter the project, he prefers his coffee black (the stronger, the better).