Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet system from billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It uses low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites and self-adjusting receiver dishes to provide internet speeds from 50Mbps to 500Mbps to almost anywhere on Earth.?
Our rating: 2.4 out of 5
Best for: Van-lifers and boaters
Average plan cost: $120 to $5,000
Starlink at a glance
Though it doesn’t make our list of best internet service providers, Starlink has the potential to revolutionize internet service in rural areas worldwide. These regions now lack high-speed internet access or any access at all.
Fast facts
- Starlink launched its first satellites — 60 of them — in May 2019 via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- There are 6,219 Starlink satellites currently in orbit.
- Starlink is available in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Its network is growing rapidly around the world.
- Starlink satellites orbit closer to Earth than traditional internet services, resulting in faster internet speeds.
- Starlink has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of A
What we like
Starlink’s proprietary satellite technology results in low latency and high speeds. The system’s smaller satellites link together as they orbit much closer to Earth at about 342 miles high. This proximity reduces latency, enabling faster data transfer like cable internet. Those speeds can support online gaming and smooth video calls. (Latency refers to the time delay between the sending and receiving of data in a network. Low latency means a short delay, while high latency means a longer delay.)
In contrast, traditional geostationary (geosynchronous) satellites orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth have the highest latency of any modern internet connection, as seen with other satellite providers like Hughesnet and Viasat.
While Starlink’s internet speeds, ranging from 50Mbps to 500 Mbps, still provide lesser quality than fiber or cable, they are much faster than other satellite providers. For example, HughesNet’s max download speeds are 100 Mbps and Viasat’s 150 Mbps. Starlink doesn’t tie customers to annual contracts.
What we don’t like
Starlink’s internet prices are high, and it pairs them with hefty equipment fees. The company’s standard plan starts at $120 per month with a one-time equipment fee of $599. That is more expensive than most top internet providers, especially considering the 25 to 220 Mbps speeds.
Starlink’s Priority internet plan costs $140 to $500 per month and offers unlimited standard data from 40 GB to 2 TB. However, this tier requires a $500 refundable deposit and a $2,500 fee for an antenna and router.
* BBB ratings are accurate as of August 2024.
Starlink pros and cons
Starlink stands out for its on-the-go internet options. Even though it’s expensive, van-lifers, boaters and roamers alike can access reliable internet wherever they are in the world. Such remote internet access is not something we see often from other internet providers, so it’s certainly worth a look if you have a more adventurous lifestyle.
Starlink’s speeds remain slower than those of cable or fiber internet, and inclement weather also affects performance. Per Starlink’s FAQs, while a Starlink receiver can melt snow that falls directly on it, it can’t address surrounding snow accumulation or other obstructions that could obstruct its line of sight to the satellite.
“We recommend installing Starlink in a location that avoids snow build-up and other obstructions from blocking the field of view,” the FAQ says. “Heavy rain or wind can also affect your satellite internet connection, potentially leading to slower speeds or a rare outage.”
Pros
- Low latency
- No contracts
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Expensive equipment fees
- Slower than cable or fiber internet
- Vulnerable to bad weather
How much does Starlink cost?
Starlink’s prices depend on the plan you choose. You can pick from three main options: Residential, Roam and Boats.
- Residential plans, ideal for households, start at $120 monthly with a $599 one-time hardware fee.
- Roam mobile internet plans, tailored for RVs and campers, range from $150 to $200 per month with the same $599 equipment fee.
- Boat plans for maritime, emergency response and mobile businesses range from $250 to $5,000 per month. They include mobile priority tiers of 50 GB, 1 TB and 5 TB, with a flat high-performance hardware cost of $2,500.
Installation is free, as it’s a self-installation process via the Starlink app. Starlink also offers unlimited data, no contracts and a 30-day trial.
|
Price per month
|
Type of connection
|
Max speeds
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $120 |
Satellite |
25 - 100 Mbps |
| Priority | $140 - $500 |
Satellite |
40 - 220 Mbps |
| Mobile | $150 - $200 |
Satellite |
5 - 50 Mbps |
| Mobile Priority | $250 - $5,000 |
Satellite |
40 - 220 Mbps |
Savings and discounts
Starlink doesn’t offer discounts or deals, but its Roam plans provide flexibility. You can pause and resume service as needed, customizing it to your travel needs.
What plans and services does Starlink offer?
Starlink provides four plans with different data options:
- The Standard plan, suited for households, offers speeds of 25 to 100 Mbps and standard unlimited data.
- The Priority plan, ideal for businesses and high-demand users, offers speeds up to 500 Mbps with priority data options of 40 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB. After using priority data, it switches to standard unlimited data.
- The Mobile plan, designed for RVs, nomads and campers, offers regional or global options with 5 to 50 Mbps speeds and standard unlimited data.
- The Mobile Priority plan provides 40 to 220 Mbps speeds and priority data options of 50GB, 1TB and 5TB.
Starlink services
|
Max speeds
|
Equipment fee
|
Data allotment
|
Contract
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 - 100 Mbps |
$599 upfront |
Standard unlimited |
No |
| Priority | 40 - 220 Mbps |
$2,500 upfront |
40 GB–2 TB, standard unlimited thereafter |
No |
| Mobile | 5 - 50 Mbps |
$599 upfront |
Standard unlimited |
No |
| Mobile priority | 40 - 220 Mbps |
$2,500 upfront |
50 GB–5 TB, standard unlimited thereafter |
No |
Starlink add-ons and optional features
Starlink doesn’t sell any optional features, but you can include priority data for priority plans.
Starlink customer service and experience
Unlike most other internet service providers, Starlink does not have a live chat or a helpline to call if you have questions or issues. This is one of the biggest complaints people have about the service. Without an account, prospective customers have no means of contacting them.
Even existing customers have to jump through hoops to contact customer service, and the only way to do so is through the not-so-user-friendly Starlink app or the online portal. Before contacting customer service, you must consult the troubleshooting guides; only then can you message Starlink’s support.
When you contact customer support, you can explain your issue and attach photos. Once you send this message, it opens a Starlink service ticket. If you don’t have your phone handy or don’t want to be limited to the app, you can repeat these steps online by logging into your account.
Customer feedback
Starlink has a 2.8-star rating (out of 5) on Trustpilot. Here are a couple of reviews to give you a better idea of what to expect from Starlink.
Other considerations about Starlink
Here are a few other things to keep in mind about Starlink.
- Starlink does not impose cancellation fees and offers a 30-day guarantee, allowing for a full refund if you dislike the service.
- If Starlink is not available in your area yet, you can reserve your spot on the waitlist by paying a refundable deposit ranging from $99 to $500, depending on your chosen plan. Check availability by entering your address on their website.
- You must set up Starlink yourself, but it’s an easy process. The app will help you find the best installation location.
- Starlink’s satellites keep space clean by deorbiting when no longer operational.
How does Starlink compare with its competitors?
Starlink won’t replace the quality of a fiber, cable or fixed-wireless internet connection. But it’s a step forward in areas where traditional wired or fixed-wireless services are unavailable.
Before Starlink, satellite options for U.S. customers were limited to HughesNet and Viasat. Starlink outperforms these two competitors with higher speeds, less buffering, no data caps and no contract requirements. While Starlink’s max speeds for the standard plan are up to 220 Mbps, HughesNet can only reach 100 Mbps and Viasat can reach up to 150 Mbps.
The Starlink Roam plan might be your best option if you’re a nomad or camper traveling with an RV. Roam mobile internet plans are tailored for RVs and campers, ranging from $150 to $200 per month with a $599 equipment fee. Viasat does not offer mobile broadband services and while it may be possible to get Hughesnet internet for your RV, purchasing an RV satellite alone is expensive, and Hughesnet does not advertise internet service for RVs. Most travelers rely on mobile hotspot 4G or 5G connections, which rely on the proximity of cell towers. So, Roam’s advantage is that service will be available even in the most remote areas.
Starlink vs. competitors
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
Availability
|
Plan price range
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Internet* | 2.1 |
50 states |
$120 - $5,000 |
| AT&T Internet | 5 |
49 states |
$55 - $250 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 4.8 |
50 states |
$40 - $60 |
| Optimum | 4.8 |
21 states |
$70 - $300 |
| Comcast Xfinity | 4.7 |
35 states |
$20 - $100 |
| Kinetic by Windstream | 4.7 |
18 states |
$40 - $325 |
| Verizon 5G | 4.6 |
47 states |
$35 - $80 |
| Mediacom Xtream | 4.5 |
22 states |
$20 - $70 |
| Earthlink* | 4.4 |
50 states |
$50 - $90 |
| HughesNet* | 4.3 |
50 states |
$50 - $95 |
| Viasat* | 3.9 |
50 states |
$50 - $200 |
* Satellite internet providers
Methodology
We evaluated 22 companies based on their plan features, connection speeds, availability, customer service reputation, data privacy offerings and more to help you find the best internet service provider for your needs. We weighed various factors in each category to create our impartial star rating system. Companies that offered the most options, convenience and best speeds at the lowest prices scored the highest.
Bottom line
If you live in a remote area with no access to fiber, cable or even fixed-wireless internet, like 5G, Starlink is a strong choice, beating competitors HughesNet and Viasat with higher speeds, lower latency, unlimited data and no contract requirements.
