There are places on the planet where broadband has not reached. But thankfully, for those in the far-out reaches who still need to be connected to the internet, there is the promise of Starlink.
The satellite-based internet provider has about 5,000 satellites orbiting Earth, 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 four basic types of Starlink plans: two for those who need service in a stationary location (standard and priority) and two for those on the go (mobile and mobile priority). 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 the plan you choose. So it's not exactly the most straightforward pricing system at first glance.
To make it easier to understand, we've laid out all of Starlink's 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- and fiber-based ISPs, you should explore those options first, as terrestrial internet is generally faster, cheaper, and more reliable than satellite.
However, if you live in a rural area where cable, fiber, and fixed wireless internet aren't readily available (or affordable), then Starlink may well be your best option. The big benefit is that Starlink's satellite network can beam broadband down from space to practically anywhere on the planet. While Starlink is more expensive than most other providers and oftentimes slower, it earned a top spot on PCMag’s list of Best ISPs for its broad coverage.
PCMag’s Lead Analyst Hardware Brian Westover uses it in the hinterlands of Idaho for both work and home use, and he says “it's become an indispensable part of my newly rural life.” Westover has also found that Starlink has become faster (though more expensive) in the last six months.
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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, Ookla speed test data suggests that Starlink is the best satellite provider of the three when it comes to download speeds, upload speeds, and latency. (Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company.)
It's worth noting, though, that the lower tiers of HughesNet and Viasat are also more affordable than Starlink's base residential package, so if keeping costs low is your main concern, then you'd be wise to explore alternative options.
It's also a smart move to keep an eye on this space. Starlink has an edge right now, but that could change in the future as HughesNet and Viasat continue to add more satellites to their constellations, and as new competitors like Amazon enter the market. 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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