What's the Best Satellite Internet for Gaming?

Many types of games currently available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo platforms require a network connection to play.

While wired connections like fiber-optic and broadband cable Internet are some of the best Internet options for gaming, those aren’t always available to everyone. If you need a satellite Internet option, we’ll lay out everything you need to know.

Is Satellite Internet Good Enough for Gaming?

In short, yes. However, your gaming experience is dependent on your Internet provider, your location, and the type of game you’re playing. Fast-paced and multiplayer games, like Fortnite, The Last of Us, and Call of Duty, require a better Internet connection with higher speed and lower latency.

Download Speeds

For the best gaming experience, we recommend download speeds of at least 100 Mbps. Satellite is slower than fiber-optic and cable Internet, but the main providers still offer download speeds from 12-100+ Mbps.

Overall, satellite Internet speeds are fast enough to play just about any multiplayer game online.

Latency

The main challenge with satellite Internet for gaming is high latency, which makes it harder to communicate with the game server, causing lag spikes and preventing real-time interactions.

Satellite has much higher latency than other Internet options. That means your reaction times will be much slower compared to your online competition, which can make all the difference in a first-person shooter.

Here’s a breakdown of the average latency times for different types of Internet, according to data from FCC.gov:

• DSL: 11-40 milliseconds
• Cable: 13-27 milliseconds
• Fiber: 10-12 milliseconds

For comparison, satellite Internet latency is typically around or above 600 milliseconds. You can slightly reduce latency on satellite Internet by using an Ethernet cable instead of WiFi, closing all other programs and downloads, and rebooting your router.

Data Caps

Satellite Internet generally has much lower data caps than other types of Internet. That means downloading games can be challenging because it requires a lot of data usage.

If you exceed your data allowance in a given month, your Internet service provider (ISP) may slow your speeds, charge additional fees, or shut off your Internet access completely. It’s best to check each provider’s policies before making a decision.

Real-World Satellite Internet Gaming Performance

The numbers on a plan's spec sheet don’t always reflect what you’ll actually experience during a gaming session. Real-world performance can vary quite a bit based on the time of day, local weather, your location, and how many other users are on the network at the same time.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Performance

Satellite Internet connections get busier in the evenings when more people are online. During those peak hours, you may notice higher latency and slower speeds than usual, both of which can hurt your gaming experience. If you have the flexibility, gaming during off-peak hours like early mornings or the middle of the day can make a noticeable difference.

Variability and Congestion

Unlike fiber or cable connections, which tend to deliver relatively stable throughput, satellite connections can fluctuate considerably from one session to the next. Poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and high winds, can temporarily degrade signal quality, while network congestion during high-demand periods can cause latency to spike well beyond typical levels.

For casual gaming, this degree of variability is generally manageable. For competitive gaming, however, it can introduce a level of unpredictability that meaningfully undermines the experience.

How To Reduce Lag on Satellite Internet

You can’t completely eliminate the limitations of satellite Internet, but there are several steps you can take to reduce lag and improve your connection while playing games. These include:

• Use a wired Ethernet connection. Plugging directly into your modem with an Ethernet cable is one of the best things you can do for your ping. Wireless connections add extra interference and signal loss on top of the latency your satellite connection already has. A wired connection removes that problem and gives you a more stable, consistent experience.
• Enable Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router. QoS lets you tell your router which type of traffic to prioritize. Setting gaming traffic as the priority means your console or PC gets first access to available bandwidth, even when other devices on the network are active. Check your router's documentation for instructions on how to set this up, since the process varies by model.
• Adjust your MTU settings. MTU, or Maximum Transmission Unit, controls the size of the data packets your network sends. Lowering this value on a satellite connection can help reduce packet loss and improve stability during gameplay. A common starting point for satellite users is an MTU of 1400, though the ideal setting may vary depending on your provider and setup.
• Select the closest game server. Many online games let you choose which server region to connect to. Picking the one closest to your location means your data travels a shorter distance, which can help offset some of the latency added by the satellite connection.
• Close background apps and downloads. Anything running in the background that uses bandwidth, such as automatic updates, cloud backups, or video streaming on other devices, takes away from what’s available for your game. Closing those out before you start playing gives your connection the best chance of performing well.
• Reboot your router periodically. A quick router reboot clears out temporary data and can fix minor issues that build up over time. If your connection seems to get worse the longer you play, a reboot may help restore better performance without any additional troubleshooting.
• Check your NAT type. NAT type determines how easily your device can connect with other players online. An Open NAT type gives you the best experience for multiplayer gaming, while a Strict NAT can limit who you can connect with and create matchmaking problems. If your console shows a Moderate or Strict NAT, adjusting your router settings or enabling UPnP may resolve it.

Best Games for Satellite Internet

Some games handle higher latency much better than others. Choosing the right types of games for your connection can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your experience.

Games That Work Well on Satellite Internet

Turn-based and strategy games are a great fit for satellite Internet because they do not require quick reactions or low latency. Games like Civilization VI, XCOM 2, and Into the Breach take turns exchanging data between players rather than doing it continuously, which means latency has little effect on how the game actually plays.

Single-player games with optional online features are another solid choice. Titles like Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption 2, single-player Minecraft, and The Witcher 3 are mostly offline experiences that do not depend on your Internet connection during normal play. Any online features like updates or leaderboards can be managed around your data cap.

Card games and slower-paced competitive titles played online, like Hearthstone or Slay the Spire, tend to handle higher latency well since they don’t require fast, continuous input from multiple players at the same time.

MMORPGs during casual gameplay, such as questing or crafting in World of Warcraft, can work reasonably well on satellite Internet. Competitive player-versus-player content and high-stakes raiding will still be affected by higher ping, but the more relaxed parts of these games are generally playable.

Games To Approach with Caution

First-person shooters like Call of Duty, Valorant, and Apex Legends are among the most sensitive game types when it comes to latency. Even a small increase in ping can affect how accurately your shots register and how quickly you can respond to what is happening on screen. Satellite Internet users will often be at a disadvantage in competitive lobbies.

Battle royale games like Fortnite and PUBG have similar demands. Casual matches may be manageable on a good satellite connection, but ranked or competitive play will highlight the limitations of higher latency more quickly.

Online sports games like FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden rely on precise timing between players, making them sensitive to any latency beyond what cable or fiber connections typically deliver.

Satellite Internet Providers to Choose From

There are three main satellite Internet providers available: HughesNet, Starlink, and Viasat. Each offers a different combination of speeds, latency, and pricing.

Is HughesNet Good for Gaming?

HughesNet Internet is good if you avoid online multiplayer games and other types of games that require low-latency network connections. Because of the high latency, you will likely have lagging issues while playing fast-paced games.

What they offer: The best plans from HughesNet run $49.99/month for 3 months with 25 Mbps download speeds. There are no hard data limits, and installation is free for select plans.

Is Viasat Good for Gaming?

Viasat does work well for some forms of gaming, but like HughesNet, you won’t have the best experience with large online multiplayer games that require low latency. Still, those in more rural areas can use Viasat to reliably access online game stores and play more casual, single-player games.

What they offer: Viasat plans range from $49.99/month to $299.99/month and offer speeds between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps with unlimited data.

Is Starlink Good for Gaming?

Instead of a small number of geostationary satellites orbiting 22,000 miles up, Starlink Internet uses thousands of smaller satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), just 300 to 600 miles above Earth. Because the distance data needs to travel is much shorter, latency drops significantly, typically to 20-60 milliseconds, compared to the 600+ milliseconds with traditional satellite providers.

Starlink's latency range is close to what you would get from a lower-end cable connection, which opens up a much wider range of playable game types. Multiplayer games that would be essentially unplayable on HughesNet or Viasat become viable on. Starlink, though, high-level competitive gaming still works better on a wired fiber or cable connection.

Keep in mind that as Starlink adds more customers, increased network demand could affect speeds and latency over time, and performance can vary by region depending on satellite coverage in your area.

What they offer: Starlink customers can access speeds between 50 and 500 Mbps for $110 to $500/month, depending on the plan and hardware selected.

What Satellite Internet Is Best for Gaming?

In the end, the best satellite Internet option depends on what you need. Starlink is the best option for gaming overall, thanks to its LEO network and much lower latency. If multiplayer gaming is important to you, Starlink is the only satellite provider that can deliver a reasonably competitive experience. HughesNet and Viasat are better suited for casual gamers who mostly play single-player games or use online features occasionally.

Satellite vs. Other Rural Internet Options

If you live in a remote area without cable or fiber Internet, satellite is not your only option. Depending on where you live, one of the following alternatives may give you a better gaming experience at a similar price.

DSL Internet

DSL uses existing phone lines to deliver Internet service and is available in many rural areas where fiber and cable have not been built out. Speeds are generally modest, ranging from 1 to 100 Mbps, depending on how far you are from the provider's equipment. Latency connections are also much better for gaming than traditional satellite, typically falling between 11 and 40 milliseconds.

If you can get a reliable DSL connection with enough download speed, it’s often a better choice for online gaming than HughesNet or Viasat.

LTE and 4G Mobile Internet

A cellular LTE or 4G connection, either through a mobile hotspot or a home Internet device from a phone carrier, can be a good alternative in areas with decent cell coverage. LTE latency usually falls between 30 and 70 milliseconds, which works well for most online games.

Speeds can vary with signal strength and congestion, but in areas with reliable coverage, LTE home Internet can deliver a gaming experience similar to a lower-end cable connection.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless Internet uses radio signals sent from a tower to a receiver installed at your home. No physical cable infrastructure is needed, and its availability is growing in rural and suburban areas. Latency typically falls between 5 and 30 milliseconds, and download speeds range from 25 to 100+ Mbps.

For rural gamers, fixed wireless is often the closest thing to a wired connection in terms of gaming performance.

At a Glance: Which Internet Type Is Right for Gamers?

If you’re still weighing your options, this quick comparison covers everything we have discussed in one place.

Internet Type	Typical Download Speed	Typical Latency	Data Caps	Best For
Satellite (geostationary)	25 to 100 Mbps	600+ ms	Common	Casual and single-player gaming
Starlink (LEO)	50 to 500 Mbps	20 to 60 ms	Varies	Most online gaming
DSL	1 to 100 Mbps	11 to 40 ms	Rare	Budget-conscious rural gamers
LTE / 4G Home Internet	25 to 100+ Mbps	30 to 70 ms	Common	Areas with strong cell coverage
Fixed Wireless	25 to 100+ Mbps	5 to 30 ms	Sometimes	Rural gamers closest to towers

FAQs

Can you game online with satellite Internet?

Yes, though how well it works depends on the type of game and the provider you choose. Starlink offers the best satellite gaming experience because of its lower latency. Casual and single-player games work well on all three major satellite providers. Competitive multiplayer games are better suited to Starlink or one of the alternative rural Internet options listed above.

What is the biggest problem with satellite Internet for gaming?

Latency is the main issue. Traditional satellite providers like HughesNet and Viasat have a latency of 600 milliseconds or more, causing noticeable lag in real-time online games. Starlink brings that number down significantly, but some variability in latency is still part of the satellite experience.

Does weather affect satellite Internet gaming?

Yes. Heavy rain, strong winds, and severe weather can weaken your satellite signal and temporarily increase latency. This applies to all satellite Internet connections and is worth keeping in mind if you live somewhere with frequent severe weather.

Is Starlink worth the cost for gaming?

For rural gamers without access to cable or fiber, Starlink is the best satellite option available right now. Its lower latency and higher speeds support a much wider range of games than HughesNet or Viasat. The higher monthly cost and upfront equipment investment are worth comparing against any fixed wireless or LTE options in your area before making a final decision.

How much data does online gaming use?

Most online games use between 40 and 150 MB of data per hour during active play, which is fairly modest. Game downloads and updates are a different story, and major titles can require anywhere from 50 to 100 GB or more. If your satellite plan has a data cap, planning large downloads carefully is important to avoid overage charges or speed slowdowns.

Can Starlink handle competitive gaming?

Starlink can support casual to moderate competitive gaming, especially in games where a 20 to 60 millisecond ping is acceptable. For high-level competitive play in fast-paced shooters or fighting games where small latency differences really matter, a wired fiber or cable connection will still deliver better and more consistent performance.

Does having more devices on my network affect gaming on satellite Internet?

Yes. Every device that’s actively using bandwidth on your network adds to congestion, which can raise latency and reduce available speeds during a session. Limiting how many devices are active while gaming or using your router's QoS settings to prioritize gaming traffic can help manage the impact.

Is satellite Internet good for cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now?

Cloud gaming is especially sensitive to latency because all of the game processing happens on a remote server, and the results are streamed to your screen in real time. This makes cloud gaming more difficult on satellite Internet than playing downloaded games locally. Starlink users in areas with strong coverage may find cloud gaming workable at lower quality settings, but the experience will generally be less reliable than on a low-latency wired connection.

Find the Fastest Internet Speeds with SmartMove

Even the best satellite internet service has limitations, but with SmartMove, you can connect with the right high-speed Internet provider.

SmartMove’s partnerships will give you a comprehensive picture of all the ISP packages available in your area. Instead of checking each option one at a time, you can use SmartMove to find and compare the best deals instantly. Whether you want cable TV, Internet, or mobile service, SmartMove will make sure you have all you need to stay connected with your digital life.

Don’t let lag spikes ruin your gaming experience. Call today to see how SmartMove can connect you with the best satellite Internet plan.