Metronet
Internet service provider
Viasat
High-speed satellite internet
Metronet vs Viasat
Quick Answer
Viasat is better than Metronet for most users in 2026. Viasat reaches up to 150 Mbps from $70/mo, compared to Varies from Contact for pricing on Metronet — significantly more headroom for streaming, gaming, and multi-device households.
Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.
Metronet and Viasat are two of the most searched internet providers in the United States. Below, we compare their plans, pricing, speeds, coverage, and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option for your home internet needs.
Metronet vs Viasat: Key Findings
- Viasat is faster with speeds up to 150 Mbps vs Varies
- Viasat is more affordable starting at $70/mo vs Contact for pricing
- Viasat has wider coverage: 26,093 vs 2,226 ZIP codes
- Technology: Metronet uses Various, Viasat uses Satellite
- Data caps: Metronet has a Varies cap; Viasat has a Varies by plan cap
- Overall winner: Viasat (3 of 5 categories)
How Metronet and Viasat Compare
Metronet and Viasat are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. Metronet primarily uses various technology, while Viasat relies on satellite. This fundamental difference affects speed consistency, latency, and upload performance.
On raw speed, Viasat leads with a maximum of 150 Mbps compared to Metronet's Varies. However, the fastest plan isn't always the best value — consider whether you actually need speeds above 500 Mbps for your household. For most households of 2-4 people, a plan in the 200-500 Mbps range handles HD streaming, video calls, and general browsing with room to spare.
From a cost perspective, Viasat has the edge with plans starting at $70/mo versus Contact for pricing. Metronet stands out here by not requiring a contract, while Viasat does require one. Both providers impose data caps (Varies for Metronet, Varies by plan for Viasat), so heavy users should factor in potential overage charges.
Quick Verdict
Viasat
- Faster speeds (150 Mbps)
- Lower starting price ($70/mo)
- Wider coverage (26,093 ZIPs)
Metronet
- No contract required
Check availability at your address
See which of these providers — and others — actually serve your exact address, with real speeds and pricing from FCC broadband data.
Metronet is a 100% fiber-to-the-home internet provider expanding across the Midwest and Southeast, offering symmetric speeds up to 5 Gbps. Viasat is a geostationary satellite internet provider serving all 50 U.S. states, offering speeds up to 150 Mbps with plans designed for rural and underserved communities.
| Feature | Metronet | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 5 Gbps | 150 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $50/moPrice verified July 2026 | $70/moPrice verified July 2026 |
| Technology | Fiber (FTTH) | Geostationary Satellite |
| Contracts | No | Yes |
| Data Caps | No | Yes |
Metronet vs Viasat: Provider Details
| Detail | Metronet | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology | Fiber (FTTH) | Geostationary Satellite |
| Top Speed (Down/Up) | 5 Gbps | 150 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up |
| Starting Price | $50/mo | $70/mo |
| Coverage | Regional — 17 states | National — 50 states |
| Contract | No contract | Contract required |
| Data Caps | None | Varies by plan |
| Headquarters | Evansville, Indiana | Carlsbad, California |
| Notable Features | 100% fiber network • Symmetric speeds • No contracts | High-capacity satellite network • Unlimited data options • Available in rural areas |
Metronet Service & Install
Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM local time, Sat 9AM-5PM; 24/7 technical support; online chat available
Installation: Professional installation required for new fiber connections (free, 2-4 hours). Self-install available at locations with existing Metronet fiber. Whole-home Wi-Fi system $10/mo optional.
Viasat Service & Install
Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-12AM ET, Sat-Sun 9AM-10PM ET; online support and chat 24/7; My Viasat app for account management
Installation: Professional installation required ($199-$299). Technician installs satellite dish and indoor modem (2-3 hours). Free installation available during promotions. Appointments within 3-5 business days.
Plans Compared: Metronet vs Viasat
Verified monthly pricing and typical download speeds for each provider's residential plans, sourced from their FCC broadband label filings. Promotional and address-specific pricing may vary.
Metronet plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Metronet 150M/150M Internet Access | 164 Mbps | $29.95/mo |
| Metronet 100M/ 100M Internet Access | 108 Mbps | $29.95/mo |
| Bulk Standard 150M/150M Internet Access | 164 Mbps | $35/mo |
| Bulk Standard 500M/500M Internet Access | 505 Mbps | $40/mo |
| Bulk Standard 1G/1G Internet Access | 944 Mbps | $45/mo |
| Bulk Standard 200M/200M Internet Access | 205 Mbps | $45/mo |
Viasat plan pricing is being verified — check back soon.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Metronet | Viasat | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | Varies | 150 Mbps | Viasat Wins |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $70/mo | Viasat Wins |
| Coverage (ZIP Codes) | 2,226 | 26,093 | Viasat Wins |
| Primary Technology | Various | Satellite | Depends on needs |
| Contract Required | No | Yes | Metronet Wins |
| Data Cap | Varies | Varies by plan | Tie |
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you order through links on this page. Pricing, speeds, and availability vary by address and are subject to change; verify current terms with the provider before ordering.
Pros & Cons
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Choose Metronet if:
- You don't want to commit to a contract
- Metronet is available at your address
Choose Viasat if:
- You need the fastest speeds available
- You want the lowest starting price
- Viasat is available at your address
The Bottom Line
Choose Viasat if raw speed is your priority (up to 150 Mbps). Choose Viasat for a more budget-friendly option (starting at $70/mo). Ultimately, the best provider depends on availability at your address, your speed requirements, and whether you prefer no-contract or contract plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Methodology
This Metronet vs Viasat comparison uses pricing, speed, and coverage data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, provider-published broadband nutrition labels, and Ookla speed test measurements. Plans and pricing are verified against each provider's current public offerings. Pricing, speeds, and availability are verified against provider broadband nutrition labels and may vary by location. For a detailed explanation of our data collection and scoring process, see our methodology page.
How We Score Providers
Our analysts rate every provider on a composite 1–5 scale using five weighted criteria, applied consistently across all reviews and comparisons:
- Price (30%) — advertised plan pricing verified monthly against each provider's broadband nutrition labels.
- Speed (25%) — advertised tiers cross-checked with third-party real-world speed test data.
- Reliability (20%) — technology type, uptime signals, and FCC complaint data.
- Coverage (15%) — FCC Broadband Data Collection availability records.
- Customer Service (10%) — published satisfaction indices and verified support channels.
Data Sources
InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations. See our methodology for details.
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, June 2025
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