The digital divide persists, but for those in cellular and broadband dead zones, Starlink has stepped into provide speedy, satellite-based internet access.
The satellite-based internet provider has over 6,900 satellites in orbit, which allow it to provide internet access to anyone with a receiver dish, no matter where they might be on the planet. But that service doesn’t come cheap.
There are two basic types of Starlink plans for personal use: Residential for those who need service in a stationary location and Roam for those who live a nomadic life on land and sea (up to 12 nautical miles off the coast on area where Starlink has coverage, at least).
A more expansive Maritime option is marketed for emergency response and mobile businesses. A tier with unlimited inland data and 50GB on the water starts at $250 per month, but can soar to as much as $5,000 per month. The hardware also costs $2,500. So if you’re just trying to stream Spotify near the coast, Roam will probably do the trick.
But it’s a bit more complicated than that. Every plan except the standard option has different pricing tiers within it to accommodate customers with different data needs. Plus, on top of the monthly subscription fee, you’ll also need to purchase a receiver dish, the cost of which depends on your plan and location.
To make it easier to understand, we’ve laid out Starlink’s main service tiers in the table below. We also included the cost-per-megabit-per-second, which should help you get a better sense of how much Starlink costs in comparison to other internet service providers (ISPs).
Is Starlink Worth It?
Whether or not Starlink internet is a good option for you depends largely on where you live.
If you’re in an area where there are ample cable, fiber, and fixed wireless ISPs, you should explore those options first, as terrestrial internet is generally faster, cheaper, and more reliable than satellite. (It’s also easier to get in touch with customer service.)
As we noted in our most recent roundup of the Best ISPs, “Starlink is hamstrung by its high prices and low speed [and] remains the ISP of last resort” when other options exist.
5 Things to Know About Starlink Satellite Internet
However, if you live in a rural area where broadband or even cellular service isn’t readily available (or affordable), Starlink may well be your best option. The big benefit is that Starlink’s satellite network beams broadband down from space to practically anywhere on the planet.
PCMag Lead Analyst Brian Westover uses Starlink in the hinterlands of Idaho for both work and home use. “It’s become an indispensable part of my newly rural life,” he says. And those speed issues have improved over the years.
Starlink Alternatives
Starlink does have two competitors when it comes to satellite ISPs: HughesNet and Viasat. Both offer internet to a broad range of areas where terrestrial internet isn’t available, much like Starlink. However, Starlink has historically outpaced its rivals when it comes to download speeds, upload speeds, and latency.
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A quick look at Viasat packages in eastern Idaho, for example, shows a $99.99-per-month plan offers 38Mbps downloads, 2Mbps uploads, and latency at 694ms. You can pay $15 per month for the equipment or a $250 “lifetime lease fee” for as long as you have your current plan.
A similarly priced plan from HughesNet promises 100Mbps downloads and 5Mbps uploads, plus a $300 equipment purchase and $200 professional installation.
So, these options may be slightly cheaper if they’re available in your area, but Viasat and HughesNet have both seen major subscriber drops amid growing competition from Starlink.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also waiting in the wings, but it’s faced multiple delays. A number of companies—including SpaceX, Amazon, and HughesNet parent company EchoStar—are also looking to tap satellites to provide cellular service.
So, don’t just sign up and never look back. Even if you’re already a paying subscriber, it’s a good idea to watch prices and reassess every few months.
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About Chandra Steele
Senior Features Writer
