Starlink Internet Review: Quality Connectivity in Hard to Reach Places
Overview
Our Experts
Score Breakdown
Pros and Cons
Starlink Internet review
In areas where it's satellite internet or nothing else, save for maybe sufferingly slow DSL or fixed wireless connections, Starlink will likely provide the best bang for your buck. Make that "bucks," around 120 of them a month for fixed home internet service.
As one who has closely evaluated dozens, if not 100-plus, internet providers, I'll say that Starlink's monthly rate is higher than average for home internet. Facing competition from Hughesnet and Viasat, Starlink recently temporarily lowered its equipment prices from a steep $599 to $299. That's lower than equipment costs from Hughesnet ($400 to $550) and essentially the same costs as equipment from Viasat ($300).
Starlink also offers the fastest speeds of any satellite internet provider at the moment, going up to 150Mbps for its Standard plan and 220Mbps with its Priority plan. That's not a bad deal for rural internet, especially taking into account the unlimited data and low latency.
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If you're outside the reach of cable or a local fiber internet service, Starlink is certainly worth a closer look once you get past the initial sticker shock.
Starlink Internet plans and pricing
| Starlink plan | Monthly price | Speed range | Equipment costs | Data allotment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $120 | 25-100Mbps | $299 upfront | Standard unlimited |
| Priority | $140-$500 | 40-220Mbps | $299-$2,500 upfront | 40GB-2TB, standard unlimited thereafter |
| Mobile | $50-$165 | 5-50Mbps | $299 upfront ($599 for the Starlink Mini) | Standard unlimited |
| Mobile Priority | $250-$5,000 | 40-220Mbps | $2,500 upfront | 50GB-5TB, standard unlimited thereafter |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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While I'd like to see a bit more speed for the price, or a lower price altogether, Starlink adds value in areas where other satellite services cannot.
Starlink has the potential to offer faster speeds than Hughesnet or Viasat (not to mention other popular rural internet options), with home internet speeds ranging from 25 to 220Mbps. In comparison, Hughesnet and Viasat top out at around 100Mbps to 150Mbps in most areas.
Starlink's Priority plan is listed as a "Fixed Site" plan for businesses, but you don't have to own a business to be eligible for the plan. Although the Flat High Performance equipment costs a hefty $2,500, you can choose between the Enterprise ($699) or Standard ($299) equipment instead. So for $20 extra a month, customers can upgrade to the Priority plan for $140, pay the same equipment costs of $299 and avoid slowed speeds with priority data.
It's a pretty good deal compared to the much lower data allowances from Hughesnet and Viasat.
Starlink fees and service details
Starlink has only grown in popularity amongst rural internet customers and it's clear to see why. Let's take a closer look at the service terms of this satellite internet provider.
Data caps
Service comes with truly unlimited data. The Standard home internet plan includes unlimited data while the Priority plan comes with 40GB, 1TB or 2TB of "priority" data depending on the tier you choose.
Priority data gives users network precedence over Standard users, potentially delivering faster speeds that are less vulnerable to network congestion. Once your priority data pool is exhausted, the service switches over to standard data. When that happens, bandwidth is prioritized the same as everyone else on the network at any given time.
That can result in slower speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle, but it's far less of a penalty compared to the substantial and intentional speed throttling Hughesnet and Viasat can enforce once customers surpass their monthly data allotment.
Latency low enough for online gaming
Another advantage to Starlink is low latency. Sometimes called "ping," latency measures the time it takes for information to travel to and from your internet provider. Geostationary satellites, like those employed by Hughesnet and Viasat, orbit some 22,000 miles above the Earth, resulting in the highest latency of any modern internet connection.
Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites zip around the planet at an altitude of around 350 miles -- 60 times closer to the Earth's surface than traditional satellites, per the company's claims -- so it takes far less time to transfer information back and forth.
As a result, Starlink's latency is comparable to cable internet and other terrestrial connection types. Most customers should see latency low enough to support online gaming and avoid excessively lagging video calls.
High equipment fees but no installation costs
You might pay more month-to-month with Starlink than Hughesnet and Viasat if you upgrade to higher-performing equipment, but, at least for the moment, equipment costs are actually lower with Starlink.
Purchasing equipment from Hughesnet or Viasat can cost around $300. Starlink usually charges double that at $599 but lowered its equipment costs to $299 until October 5.
Hughesnet and Viasat give you the option to skip the upfront fee and lease equipment instead for an additional $13 to $15 per month. No such option is available with Starlink: customers purchase the equipment and after 30 days, it's theirs to keep.
While more expensive, Starlink equipment is apparently simple to set up (as seen in the video below) and does not require professional installation. Hughesnet and Viasat, on the other hand, require professional installation, which can add $100 or more to your upfront costs.
New Starlink Mini dish lets you take your internet on the go
The rollout of the Starlink Mini leveled up Starlink's appeal to rural, traveling customers. The equipment costs $599, with a monthly subscription cost between $50 or $165. The equipment can fit in your backpack and includes a 30-day trial and no contracts: you can stop and start the service at any time.
If you upgrade to the Roam Unlimited plan for $165 a month, you can get unlimited data and guaranteed in-motion use up to 100 mph, so you can access the internet on-the-go from your vehicle.
Although the typical download speed averages 50Mbps download speed and 10Mbps upload speed, Elon Musk shared a speed test while using the Starlink Mini that displayed speeds up to 100Mbps, with a 23ms latency. This means that you can get internet quality good enough to binge your favorite shows or game with your friends, whether you're on a boat in the middle of the ocean or hiking the Grand Canyon.
Starlink setup seems surprisingly simple
Professional installation isn't available with Starlink, but the self-install process seems fairly straightforward. Starlink offers several mounting options for rooftops, yards and the exterior of your home. There's even a Starlink app for Android and iOS that uses augmented reality to help customers pick the best location and position for their receivers.
In 2021, CNET's John Kim signed up for Starlink at his home in California and began testing it at various locations. At home, he averaged download speeds of around 78Mbps and latency of around 36ms. You can see more of his first impressions in the video included on this page.
Starlink availability: Ready nearly everywhere in the US
According to Federal Communication Commission data from December 2023, Starlink is available to 99.6% of US households. That's the highest coverage percentage of any internet provider, including Hughesnet and Viasat.
There are a few pockets, specifically in southern California, West Virginia and New Mexico, where service is "coming soon." Still, Starlink's coverage is impressive. I ran serviceability checks using addresses from California to Connecticut and down south in Alabama and rural Texas and received a response indicating that "Starlink is immediately available" every time.
Service isn't limited to just the US. According to the company, the list of countries currently served by the growing network of low-orbit satellites includes the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and others.
Starlink's fleet expansion continues at a rapid rate
Starlink has been busy in 2024, sending more than 30 payloads into the sky including a recent launch on August 12 carrying 23 new satellites. The total fleet now sits at roughly 6,000 functional satellites, but there's still a way to go. Starlink will likely need at least 10,000 satellites in orbit before it can claim to offer full service to most of the globe, and SpaceX has shown signs that it wants as many as 42,000 satellites in its constellation.
What does this mean for Starlink internet?
Ideally, Starlink's coverage and speeds will improve with every launch. Starlink's website says, "Starlink users typically experience download speeds between 25 and 220Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds over 100Mbps." The internet speed-tracking site Ookla reported that Starlink offered average download speeds of nearly 67Mbps in the US during the first quarter of 2023.
That's down significantly from the end of 2021 when Starlink had median download speeds of just over 100Mbps. The drop may be the result of growing subscriptions and increased network congestion. Hopefully, average speeds will jump back up to around 100Mbps or higher soon as groups of new satellites are added to the fleet.
How does Starlink compare?
Starlink isn't replacing your fiber, cable or even fixed wireless connections like Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet just yet, or possibly ever. That doesn't seem to be the intent behind the service. Starlink is best suited to provide a practical solution for broadband in underserved areas or for a mobile demographic -- all areas where traditional wired or fixed wireless services are scarce or unavailable.
Such areas have previously had two internet options: Hughesnet or Viasat. Starlink has emerged as a third option, so how does it compare to its satellite internet rivals?
Hughesnet can be a bit cheaper per month than Starlink, with standard rates of $75 to $120 for max download speeds of 50 to 100Mbps. Viasat is also cheaper, with a standard rate of $100 per month for up to 150Mbps. So Starlink is a slightly more expensive option than both Hughesnet and Starlink despite the faster speed potential, unlimited data and lower latency.
Pricing can be a toss-up between all three satellite providers depending on the ISP or plan you choose and the route you go with the equipment. Starlink holds the advantage in basically every other category, including max speeds, latency, data allowances and contract requirements.
What's the final word on Starlink?
Starlink is an exciting and much-needed addition to rural internet's long-limited landscape. Although service is slower and more expensive than many other providers and connection types, the relatively high speed potential, low latency, unlimited data and no contract requirements boost its value as a rural internet provider.
Starlink internet FAQs
Does bad weather affect Starlink?
Struggles with inclement weather are a definite downside to satellite internet. Per Starlink's FAQ, the receiver can melt snow that lands on it, but it can't do anything about surrounding snow build-up and other obstructions that might block its line of sight to the satellites.
"We recommend installing Starlink in a location that avoids snow build-up and other obstructions from blocking the field of view," the FAQ reads. "Heavy rain or wind can also affect your satellite internet connection, potentially leading to slower speeds or a rare outage."
Can you see Starlink satellites in the sky?
Concern about the proliferation of privately owned satellites in space and controversy in astronomical circles about the impact of low-orbiting satellites on the night sky is not uncommon.
In 2019, shortly after Starlink's first broadband satellite deployment, the International Astronomical Union released an alarm-sounding statement warning of unforeseen consequences for stargazing and the protection of nocturnal wildlife.
"We do not yet understand the impact of thousands of these visible satellites scattered across the night sky and despite their good intentions, these satellite constellations may threaten both," the statement reads.
Since then, Starlink has begun testing various designs intended to reduce the brightness and visibility of its satellites. At the start of 2020, the company tested a "DarkSat" satellite with a special, non-reflective coating. Later, in June 2020, the company launched a "VisorSat" satellite that features a special sunshade visor. In August, Starlink launched another batch of satellites -- this time, they all were equipped with visors.
"We want to make sure we do the right thing to make sure little kids can look through their telescope," SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said. "It's cool for them to see a Starlink. But they should be looking at Saturn, at the moon ... and not want to be interrupted."
"The Starlink teams have worked closely with leading astronomers around the world to better understand the specifics of their observations and engineering changes we can make to reduce satellite brightness," the company website reads.
Where can I learn more about Starlink?
We'll continue to cover Starlink's progress from various angles here on CNET, so stay tuned. You should also read Eric Mack's excellent work covering Starlink. Among other issues, he closely examines the project's goals and challenges and the implications for underserved internet consumers and astronomers concerned with light pollution obstructing views in the night sky.
Beyond that, we expect to continue testing Starlink's network as it expands. When we know more about how the satellite service performs as an internet provider, we'll tell you all about it.
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