Starlink internet review: Pricing, speeds and more

• Starlink offers satellite internet plans for homes, RVs, and businesses, with options for both fixed locations and mobile use.
• Plans range from $80/month for basic residential service to over $2,000/month for global business priority service.
• Starlink offers faster speeds than traditional satellite internet providers but is more expensive than cable, fiber, or 5G options where available.

Starlink offers unlimited satellite internet for areas that are difficult to reach. You can get Wi-Fi for your home, RV, campers or boat, or try Starlink Mini for hikers and travelers. Starlink's satellites use a low-Earth orbit to provide widespread broadband access. The provider combines advance satellite technology with user hardware to offer broadband speeds fast enough for streaming, gaming and other online activities.

• Starlink pricing: Residential $80 to $120 a month; Roam: $50 to $165 a month.
• Equipment: Starts at $175; installation not included.
• Availability: 99.7% of the U.S.
• Technology: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.
• Established: SpaceX launched in 2019.

Starlink internet plans, speeds and pricing

Here's a quick breakdown of Starlink's home internet plans.

Starlink plan breakdown

Here is a deeper look into Starlink's plans and which one is best for you.

Residential Lite

Residential Lite availability varies by location. It's best for light internet usage. Its download speeds should be fast enough to stream, video call and game. If you have more than 10 connected devices, you may experience lag or buffering.

• Starlink cost per month: $80 a month for unlimited deprioritized data.
• Who does this plan fit? Low internet use, fewer devices or smaller homes.
• Typical speeds: 45 to 130 Mbps download; 11 to 26 Mbps upload.
• Equipment cost: Starlink Standard Kit: $175; $199 to add installation, where available.
• Other details: A one-time $100 congestion charge and shipping and handling fee may apply for certain locations.

There are also optional accessories available, like the Starlink pivot mount.

Residential

Starlink's Residential plan offers faster download and upload speeds than the Residential Lite plan, is more widely available, and is good for streaming, gaming and completing online activities for fewer than 10 connected devices.

• Starlink cost per month: $120 a month for unlimited data.
• Who fits this plan? Rural homes or fixed locations with average internet use.
• Which activities can you do with this plan? Starlink home Wi-Fi supports browsing, streaming and more.
• Expected speeds: Expected speeds with Starlink Standard service plans have download speeds of 100 to 270 Mbps and upload speeds ranging from 5 to 25+ Mbps.
• Starlink speeds by area: Starlink is available across the U.S. Check the map here to see how the availability is where you live.
• Starlink equipment: The Residential plan comes with the Starlink satellite, kickstand, Gen 3 router and cables. The satellite can withstand inclement weather, including sleet, high winds and temperatures.
• Equipment cost: Starlink Standard Kit: $175; $199 to add installation, where available.

Roam 50 GB & Roam Unlimited

The Roam plans are ideal for an on-the-go lifestyle because they allow you to pause service an unlimited number of times. Campers, RVs and other travel or mobile residences have ultimate billing flexibility with this Starlink RV service plan.

• Starlink cost per month: Start at $50 a month for 50 GB of data; Start at $165 a month for unlimited inland data.
• Who fits this plan? Roam plans are great for RVs, hikers or boats.
• Equipment: Recommended equipment includes a smaller, more portable array that isbetter for travel.
• Equipment cost: Starlink Mini Kit is $499 (required for Roam 50 GB). You get $100 service credit upon activation. Standard Kit is $175 (available with Roam Unlimited). Performance Kit is $1,999.
• Pausing Starlink service: To pause Starlink internet service, log into your Starlinkaccount > Your Starlink > Manage > Pause Service.
• Delay Starlink service: You can pause your plan before activation to delay your first bill.Your first bill will be issued when you unpause your service.

Starlink business internet

Starlink also offers business internet plans with priority network and priority support.

• Network priority: When the Starlink network is busy, priority plans maintain fasterspeeds, while standard plans may experience speed throttling.
• Plan prices: Local Priority plans start at $65 a month and go up to $540. Global Priority plans start at $250 a month and go up to $2,150.
• Equipment: Choice of Standard Kit: $175 (only available for Local Priority); Performance Previous Generation: $999; and Performance: $1,999.

Starlink installation fees

Starlink internet plans do not include installation. You can either self-install, add professional installation to your order for $199 in some areas or hire a local contractor.

Unlike other satellite providers, the Starlink internet price doesn’t include an installation fee. But unless you are comfortable installing a satellite yourself, you’ll need to hire a local installer to mount the satellite.

Starlink equipment fees

Purchasing Starlink equipment starts at $175, and a monthly rental option is available in specific areas. You can return your Starlink equipment within 30 days to get reimbursed if you're unhappy with the connection.

Third-party retailers like Best Buy also sell Starlink equipment, often offering free in-store pickup or shipping. If the rental option is available in your area, it will appear when you check for Starlink serviceability. An activation fee may apply.

Starlink vs. other internet providers

• Rural coverage: Starlink Wi-Fi for home has extensive rural internet coverage compared toto hard-wired cable and fiber ISPs (e.g., AT&T, Cox, Frontier).
• Price differences: Cable, fiber and 5G internet (like Spectrum, Xfinity and T-Mobile) offer cheaper deals compared to Starlink plans, with average starting prices of around $50 a month in contrast to Starlink’s $80 to $120 monthly rate.
• Speed disparity: Cable, fiber and 5G frequently offer 1 gigabit speeds, and theavailability of multi-gig speeds is on the rise, making these connections faster than Starlinksatellite internet.
• Versus other satellite providers: Top Starlink speeds are up to twice as fast as Hughesnet or Viasat.

Should I get Starlink internet?

Here are things to consider before deciding if Starlink is right for you.

• Is Starlink worth the cost? Starlink is worth considering if you can cover the equipment and pricier monthly rates.
• Value: Starting at $80 a month, Starlink internet plans are more expensive but offer faster speeds than other satellite ISPs.
• Upfront cost: Switching to Starlink requires equipment fees of $175 to get started.
• Competitors: Hughesnet and Viasat have lower equipment costs with the option to rent

Frequently asked questions

How much does Starlink cost now?

Starlink residential internet plans range from $80 to $165 a month. Equipment for residential plans is $175.

Can you use Starlink as your home internet?

Yes, you can use Starlink as your home internet provider. Starlink offers two home internet options: Residential Lite and Residential.

Does Starlink work in bad weather?

Yes, Starlink satellites work in inclement weather, but there is always a chance that satellites may be impacted by a bad storm.

Contributing: Lisa Iscrupe, Hannah Whatley, Allconnect

This article was revised with updated equipment pricing on 9/10/2025.