Last updated: March 31, 2026 | Satellite provider in 50 states
The internet market continues to evolve rapidly. Fiber availability is expanding, with AT&T Fiber, Frontier, and Google Fiber leading growth. Cable providers like Spectrum and Xfinity maintain the widest coverage. 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon offers a compelling no-contract alternative where traditional wired service is limited. Choose fiber if available for best performance; cable for reliability and availability; 5G for flexibility.
Short answer: Starlink offers satellite internet with speeds up to 220 Mbps starting at $120/mo. 1 TB priority data (unlimited standard). Best for: Rural users with no wired options, RV/boat users, backup internet
Quick Decision Guide
✓ Choose fiber if: You need symmetrical uploads for video calls, gaming, or content creation.
✓ Choose cable if: Fiber unavailable, you stream content, want reliability.
✗ Avoid fiber if: Not available or budget under $50/mo.
✗ Avoid cable if: You need fast uploads or lowest latency.
→ Choose 5G instead if: No contracts, quick install, or wired unavailable.
Key Takeaways
- Best Fiber: AT&T Fiber and Frontier offer up to 5 Gbps (verified January 2026)
- Best Cable: Spectrum unlimited data; Xfinity more speed tiers (FCC BDC, June 2026)
- Best Budget: T-Mobile 5G Home at $50/mo flat, no contract
- Best Gaming: Fiber with 3-15ms latency beats cable's 15-35ms
Quick Decision Guide
✓ Choose Starlink if: Rural users with no wired options, RV/boat users, backup internet
✗ Avoid Starlink if: Urban users with cable/fiber options, budget-conscious households
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓ Available anywhere with sky view
- ✓ Much faster than legacy satellite
- ✓ No contracts
- ✓ Self-install
- ✓ Good for rural areas
Cons
- ✗ $599 equipment cost upfront
- ✗ $120/mo is expensive
- ✗ Weather affects performance
- ✗ 1TB priority data limit
Starlink Plans & Pricing
Prices shown are promotional rates. Actual pricing may vary by location. Verified January 2026.
| Plan | Download | Upload | Price | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 220 Mbps | 25 Mbps | $120/mo | 1000 GB |
| Priority | 220 Mbps | 40 Mbps | $250/mo | Unlimited |
* Prices are promotional and may increase after 12-24 months. Equipment fees may apply.
How Starlink Compares
Starlink revolutionized satellite internet. Far better than HughesNet/Viasat for rural users. Not a substitute for fiber or cable where available.
Related Comparisons
What is the average internet speed in this area?
The average download speed in urban areas is approximately 200-300 Mbps for cable and 300-1000 Mbps for fiber. Actual speeds depend on your provider and plan. Fiber offers symmetrical upload speeds, while cable upload speeds are typically 10-35 Mbps.
Do I need a contract for internet service in my area?
No, most major providers offer no-contract options. Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home never require contracts. AT&T and Frontier fiber have no contract requirements. Xfinity and Cox offer month-to-month options with slightly higher rates.
Related Resources
Starlink at a Glance: Quick Answer
Starlink is a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service from SpaceX, available in all 50 US states and 100+ countries as of 2026. Residential plans start at $120/mo with download speeds of 25–220 Mbps, upload speeds of 5–20 Mbps, and latency of 20–60 ms. The $599 equipment kit includes a dish, Wi-Fi router, mounting tripod, and cables. There are no contracts and no credit checks. Starlink uses a constellation of 6,000+ satellites orbiting at approximately 550 km altitude, dramatically lower than traditional geostationary satellites like HughesNet (35,786 km), which is why latency is so much better.
All Starlink Plans & Pricing (2026)
Starlink offers four main service tiers. All plans include the same LEO satellite technology and self-install equipment. Prices verified from starlink.com as of March 2026.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Priority Data | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | $120/mo | 25–220 Mbps | 5–20 Mbps | 1 TB (unlimited standard) | Homes, especially rural |
| Business | $140–$500/mo | 40–220 Mbps | 8–25 Mbps | 2–6 TB priority | Small businesses, remote offices |
| Roam | $150/mo | 5–100 Mbps | 2–10 Mbps | 50 GB priority | RVs, travel, temporary locations |
| Maritime / Aviation | $250–$5,000/mo | 40–220 Mbps | 8–25 Mbps | Custom allocations | Boats, yachts, private aviation |
All plans require a one-time $599 equipment fee (Residential/Roam) or $2,500 (Business). No contracts required. Prices may vary by region.
Is Starlink Worth It in 2026?
Our Verdict
Starlink is worth it if you live in a rural area where fiber, cable, and fixed wireless are unavailable. At $120/mo plus $599 for equipment, it is more expensive than most wired broadband options. However, for the roughly 24 million Americans without access to 100+ Mbps wired broadband (FCC Broadband Progress Report), Starlink is often the only option delivering usable speeds for video calls, streaming, and remote work.
Starlink is NOT worth it if you have access to fiber (typically $50–$80/mo for 300–1,000 Mbps) or cable internet (typically $50–$100/mo for 200–1,200 Mbps). These wired connections offer faster speeds, lower latency, and lower monthly costs than Starlink.
- Rural homes with no wired ISP: Starlink is the clear best option
- RV and boat owners: Starlink Roam or Maritime plans are the only viable portable satellite service
- Backup WAN: Businesses in areas prone to outages benefit from a secondary Starlink connection
- Urban/suburban homes: Fiber or cable will outperform Starlink at a lower price
Starlink Coverage & Availability
As of 2026, Starlink provides coverage in all 50 US states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Starlink also serves over 100 countries worldwide, making it the most widely available satellite internet provider.
Starlink uses a constellation of 6,000+ LEO satellites that orbit at roughly 550 km altitude. This low orbit means signals travel a much shorter distance compared to traditional geostationary satellites (HughesNet, Viasat) at 35,786 km, resulting in significantly lower latency (20–60 ms vs. 600+ ms).
Coverage Notes by Region
- Rural areas: Starlink typically delivers the best performance, since satellites are shared among fewer users
- Suburban areas: Performance may be slightly lower due to higher subscriber density on each satellite cell
- Dense urban areas: Starlink capacity cells may be at capacity; wait lists have historically been common in cities like Los Angeles and New York
- Alaska & Hawaii: Coverage available, though speeds may be lower (15–100 Mbps typical) due to satellite orbital inclination
Wait lists that were common in 2022–2024 have shortened considerably as SpaceX has launched more satellites. Most US addresses can now order with immediate or near-immediate activation.
Starlink Equipment: What You Get for $599
Every Starlink order includes a self-install kit. No professional installation is needed, and most users complete setup in 30–60 minutes.
Kit Contents
- Starlink Dish (Gen 3, "Standard" model): Electronically steered phased-array antenna, 11.8 x 9.4 inches. Automatically aligns to satellites — no manual pointing required.
- Wi-Fi Router: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with WPA3 security. Supports mesh networking with additional Starlink mesh nodes ($130 each).
- Mounting Tripod: Included ground mount. Optional mounts available: roof mount ($60), pole adapter ($35), pipe adapter ($25).
- Starlink Cable: 75-foot (23 m) detachable cable connecting dish to router. Replacement cables available separately.
The dish requires a clear view of the sky (no trees, buildings, or obstructions). The Starlink app includes an obstruction checker that uses your phone camera to verify placement before ordering.
Starlink FAQs
What speeds can I expect from Starlink?
Starlink Residential delivers 25–220 Mbps download and 5–20 Mbps upload, with 20–60 ms latency. Actual speeds vary based on your location, network congestion, obstructions, and weather. Rural users with clear sky views typically see the best performance.
Does Starlink work in bad weather?
Starlink can experience temporary speed reductions during heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover. Light rain and clouds generally do not affect performance. The dish is designed to melt snow and operates in temperatures from -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C).
Can I use Starlink for gaming?
Starlink works for casual gaming with 20–60 ms latency. Turn-based games, RPGs, and casual multiplayer games perform well. Competitive FPS and fighting games may experience occasional input lag or packet loss during peak hours. Fiber and cable still provide a more consistent gaming experience.
Is there a Starlink data cap?
Starlink Residential includes 1 TB of priority data per month. After 1 TB, your connection drops to lower priority during network congestion. In practice, most users report minimal speed differences after exceeding the cap. There is no hard data cap — your connection never shuts off.
Can I cancel Starlink anytime?
Yes. Starlink requires no contracts. You can cancel at any time through your account dashboard. Starlink offers a 30-day trial period — if you cancel within 30 days, you receive a full refund on equipment.
How does Starlink compare to HughesNet and Viasat?
Starlink is significantly faster (25–220 Mbps vs. 25–100 Mbps for HughesNet/Viasat) and has dramatically lower latency (20–60 ms vs. 600+ ms). Starlink uses LEO satellites at 550 km altitude while HughesNet and Viasat use geostationary satellites at 35,786 km. The tradeoff: Starlink costs more ($120/mo vs. $50–$75/mo for HughesNet/Viasat entry plans).
