Is Viasat Internet Good for Gaming? Our Analysis

If you love gaming, you know a fast and reliable internet is key. With many ISPs out there, picking the right one can be tough. In this detailed look, we’ll see if Viasat Internet is good for gamers.

Viasat covers over 99% of Americans and has a new plan with speeds up to 150 megabits per second¹. This makes it a strong contender for gamers everywhere. But how does Viasat’s gaming performance compare to others? Let’s explore.

Key Takeaways

• Viasat’s speeds range from 25-150Mbps, with its Unleashed plan offering up to 850GB of data¹
• Viasat does not require a contract, unlike HughesNet which has a two-year commitment¹
• Starlink is a newer satellite internet provider offering faster speeds (50-200Mbps) and lower latency than traditional satellite services²
• Viasat has competitive pricing, with plans starting at $30 per month, but also requires equipment rental or a one-time purchase³
• Customer satisfaction with Viasat is mixed, with some complaints about speeds not meeting advertised levels and data throttling³

Understanding Satellite Internet and Gaming

Many gamers are looking into satellite internet for their gaming needs. However, it has its own set of challenges for a smooth gaming experience⁴.

Satellite Internet Speed and Latency

Satellite internet offers speeds of 50 to 100 Mbps, which is good for many games⁴. But, the latency is much higher. This is because the signal has to travel a long way to the satellite and back. This can cause noticeable lag and affect your gaming⁴.

Minimum Internet Requirements for Online Gaming

Most games need at least 1 Mbps download speed to work well⁵. But, the latency requirement is stricter. Games need latency under 100 milliseconds for a smooth experience⁵. Satellite internet often can’t meet these low-latency needs, making fast-paced games hard to play⁵.

In the U.S., Hughesnet and Viasat are the main satellite internet providers. SpaceX Starlink is also growing with its low-Earth-orbit service⁵. Satellite internet often has soft data caps, slowing speeds once you hit your limit⁵.

For competitive gaming, latency below 100 ms is key. Skilled players aim for 20 to 40 ms. Popular games like “Fortnite” and “Call of Duty” use 1 to 5 Mbps bandwidth⁵. Casual gaming can work with less bandwidth and higher latencies, but games with quick turns might suffer⁵.

Data caps for satellite plans range from 10 to 100 GB. You can upgrade or use extra data during off-peak hours⁵. DSL internet can offer speeds over 220 Mbps, with lower latency than satellite⁵.

Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites offer better latency and upload speeds than traditional satellite services⁵. Whether satellite internet is good for gaming depends on your gaming style. Casual gaming can tolerate higher latencies, but competitive gaming needs low latency⁵.

Viasat and Starlink are better for gaming than Hughesnet due to their faster speeds and more data⁶. Viasat offers speeds from 25 to 150 Mbps, while Starlink has even faster speeds but is less available⁶. Hughesnet has slower speeds and smaller data plans⁶.

Satellite internet latency is between 594–624 ms, much higher than other types of internet⁶. For gaming, latency should be under 100 ms, with even lower latencies preferred⁶. Hughesnet and Viasat have high latency, making fast-paced games hard⁶.

To improve gaming on satellite internet, use a wired connection and close internet-using programs⁶. The FCC suggests a minimum speed of 4 Mbps for gaming, with higher speeds better⁶. Viasat offers speeds of 25–150 Mbps, while Hughesnet provides 50–100 Mbps⁶.

Data caps are present in both Viasat and Hughesnet plans. Speeds can slow down after hitting the data limit, even if advertised as “unlimited”⁶.

“Satellite internet has come a long way in terms of its capabilities, but it still faces some unique challenges when it comes to online gaming.”

Is Viasat Internet Good for Gaming?

For online gaming, a fast internet connection is key. Satellite internet, like Viasat, has high download speeds⁷. But, it faces big latency issues⁸. This can hurt gamers who want a smooth experience.

Viasat’s speeds can hit up to 100 Mbps⁷. But, its latency is much higher than other types of internet⁸. Many users see ping times over 500 milliseconds⁸, causing lag.

Another problem is Viasat’s data caps. Online gaming can use a lot of data fast⁷. Even though Viasat has unlimited plans, the best ones are pricey⁷.

In short, Viasat’s speeds are okay, but its latency and data caps are big issues for gamers⁸. Gamers might prefer Starlink for its lower latency and better gaming performance⁷.

Top Satellite Internet Providers for Gaming

The market offers several satellite internet options for gamers. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks. Let’s explore the performance and pricing of the top providers.

Starlink: Best Overall for Gaming

Starlink, from SpaceX, is the top choice for gamers. It offers download speeds up to 220 Mbps⁹. Its latency is as low as 20-40 milliseconds, rivaling many broadband options. Starlink also has unlimited data plans¹⁰.

However, it has high upfront costs and monthly fees of $120 or more⁹. This might be a problem for those watching their budget.

HughesNet: Best for Pricing

HughesNet is another big name in satellite internet. It’s more affordable for gamers. Its download speeds max out at 100 Mbps⁹, but its plans start at just $49.99 per month⁹.

HughesNet also has low data overage fees¹⁰. This makes it a good choice for those who might go over their data limit sometimes.

Viasat: Customer Reviews and Performance

Viasat has had a mixed reputation for gaming. Some customers report good speeds and latency. But, many have faced issues like service outages, slow speeds, and high ping times.

Viasat’s average customer review score is 3.1 out of 5⁹. This score reflects concerns about customer service, reliability, speed, and value. It might not be the best for serious gamers needing reliable, low-latency internet.

Choosing the best satellite internet for gaming depends on performance, reliability, and cost. Starlink leads with its fast speeds and low latency. HughesNet and Viasat offer more affordable options, but with varying satisfaction and performance for gamers.

Conclusion

Viasat Internet might work for some online tasks, but it’s not ideal for serious gamers. The high latency in satellite internet causes noticeable lag and delays. This can really hurt your gaming experience¹¹.

Satellite internet has a latency of 594–612 ms. This is much higher than fiber internet’s 12–20 ms. Fiber is the best for gaming¹¹. Also, Viasat’s data caps might be a problem for gamers who use a lot of data. Viasat offers up to 850GB of data per month, but competitors like HughesNet only offer 200GB¹¹.

Our look at customer reviews shows Viasat’s performance is mostly reliable but not always great for gaming¹². Some customers have seen speeds as low as 6 Mbps, which is not enough for most games¹². Weather can also mess with the service, causing problems during important gaming moments¹².

If you want the best satellite internet for gaming, look at Starlink. It has lower latency and faster speeds, perfect for gaming¹¹. While Viasat might be cheaper, the performance and reliability issues might not be worth it for serious gamers¹². Your choice will depend on your gaming needs and what’s available in your area.

Source Links

1. Hughesnet vs. Viasat: Clash of Two Satellite Internet Titans – https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/hughesnet-vs-viasat/
2. Starlink vs. HughesNet vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Internet Provider Is Best? – https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-vs-hughesnet-vs-viasat-which-satellite-internet-provider-is-best
3. Viasat Home Internet Review 2024 – https://www.netspotapp.com/blog/internet-providers/viasat-internet-review.html
4. Things to know about video gaming on Viasat – https://news.viasat.com/blog/satellite-internet/things-to-know-about-video-gaming-on-viasat
5. The Best Satellite Internet For Gaming – https://broadbandnow.com/guides/satellite-internet-for-gaming
6. Your Guide to Gaming with Satellite Internet | SatelliteInternet.com – https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
7. What’s the Best Satellite Internet for Gaming? – SmartMove – https://www.smartmove.us/learn/internet-tips/what-s-the-best-satellite-internet-for-gaming
8. Slow Ping Rate is Causing Issues with Gaming and Streaming – https://forum.viasat.com/t/slow-ping-rate-is-causing-issues-with-gaming-and-streaming/3710
9. Best Satellite Internet Providers for 2024 – https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-satellite-internet/
10. Best Satellite Internet for Gaming Online – https://ispreports.org/best-satellite-internet-for-gaming-online/
11. Can You Game on Satellite Internet? – https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
12. Viasat Internet Service Review 2024 – https://www.compareinternet.com/reviews/viasat/