starlink.com · SpaceX · FCC · Verified USA · No Contract
How much Starlink costs per month, what the Mini dish is, which plan is right for your home, how fast the internet actually is, how to set it up yourself, and whether it works for video calls and streaming.
📍 Starlink is Available in 99% of the United States — But Pricing Varies by Location
According to FCC broadband mapping data, Starlink satellite internet reaches nearly all of the contiguous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. However, the exact monthly price, equipment cost, and plan availability at your specific address depend on your area’s network congestion level. In high-demand zones, Starlink may add a one-time congestion surcharge ranging from $100 to $1,500 at checkout. Always enter your address at starlink.com to see the exact price before ordering — the number you see in ads may not match what your area is charged.
📋 Key Facts — Starlink WiFi at a Glance
Starlink has gone from a waitlist-only experiment to the most widely available satellite internet in U.S. history in just a few years. More than 10 million subscribers worldwide are now online through SpaceX’s low-earth orbit constellation, and the coverage, speed, and price story has changed substantially since launch. But for most people standing in front of a browser right now trying to decide whether Starlink is worth the hardware investment and monthly fee, the important questions are pretty simple: How fast is it really? What does it cost? Will it handle video calls with the grandkids? What’s the difference between the Mini and the Standard dish? Here are the answers, without the noise.
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How much does Starlink WiFi cost per month? Residential plans: $50–$120/month · Roam plans: $50–$165/month · No contract on any plan · First-box hardware: $249–$349 one-timeStarlink’s residential internet service currently runs at three price points in the USA. The entry-level Residential 100 Mbps plan is $50 per month and designed for lighter users — email, browsing, occasional streaming. The Residential 200 Mbps plan runs $80 per month and handles most households comfortably. The top-tier Residential MAX plan is $120 per month and delivers the highest network priority along with speeds up to 400 Mbps — it also includes a free Router Mini accessory and 50% off Roam plans. None of these plans require a contract. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time from the Starlink app without penalty. There is also a $5/month Standby Mode introduced in 2026 that keeps your account active at low-speed connectivity when you want to pause full-speed billing — useful for vacation homes or occasional-use locations. All plans include unlimited data at the residential tiers, though lower-priority plans may experience slower speeds during peak network hours in congested areas.
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How fast is Starlink internet — what speeds can I actually expect? Typical real-world speeds: 50–200 Mbps download · Peak advertised: up to 400 Mbps (MAX plan) · Latency: 20–40 ms · Far faster than older satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat): those have 600–800 ms latency vs. Starlink’s 20–40 msThe speed difference between Starlink and older satellite internet providers is not incremental — it’s a completely different category of experience. Traditional geostationary satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat) puts satellites roughly 22,000 miles above Earth. Every bit of data has to travel that 22,000-mile round trip, producing latencies of 600 to 800 milliseconds that make video calls choppy, gaming unplayable, and web browsing sluggish. Starlink’s satellites orbit at roughly 340–560 miles above Earth — close enough that the signal round trip takes only 20 to 40 milliseconds, which is comparable to fixed broadband and fast enough for smooth video calls, gaming, and live streaming. In terms of raw download speed, real-world testing by independent researchers shows most Starlink residential customers averaging around 100 Mbps, with the MAX plan pushing toward 300–400 Mbps during off-peak hours. Speeds are affected by dish placement (obstructions like trees and chimneys block signals), local network congestion in your area, and time of day. The Starlink app’s obstruction checker helps you find the best placement before you permanently mount the dish.
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What is Starlink Mini — and is it different from the standard kit? Starlink Mini: $249 dish · palm-sized · built-in WiFi 5 router · weighs 2.4 lbs · fits in a backpack · designed for Roam (travel) plans · covers ~1,200 sq ft · Standard Kit: $349 · larger dish · WiFi 6 router · covers 2,000–3,200 sq ft · better for permanent home installationThe Starlink Mini is the product that gets the most questions, and the most confusion. It is a compact, truly portable satellite dish — roughly the size of a large tablet, weighing about 2.4 pounds — with a built-in WiFi router. It was designed for people who want satellite internet on the go: RV travelers, campers, hikers, remote workers, and anyone who needs internet somewhere they cannot run cable. The Mini runs on Roam plans, which allow you to use it anywhere Starlink has coverage, including while the vehicle is in motion. Its built-in router uses the older WiFi 5 standard and covers roughly 1,200 square feet, which is fine for a small space or vehicle but will leave dead zones in a larger home. It runs on the same satellite constellation as the Standard dish, so the sky-side speed is the same — the difference is the router capability and the antenna size, which can marginally affect peak speeds. For a fixed home installation, the Standard Kit at $349 is almost always the better choice: its WiFi 6 Gen 3 router covers 2,000–3,200 square feet, supports up to 235 connected devices, and can add mesh nodes for whole-home coverage. New Residential MAX plan customers currently receive a free Starlink Mini alongside their Standard Kit, which gives you the best of both — the full-power home setup plus a portable option for travel.
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Does Starlink have data caps — will my internet be throttled? Residential plans: no hard data caps · Roam 100GB: 100GB priority data then unlimited slow data · Residential Lite: deprioritized during congestion but not cut off · No overage charges on any residential plan · Business plans: data allotments with priority; additional data purchasableStarlink does not cut your internet off when you reach any data milestone on residential plans. There are no overage charges, no hard stops, and no bills for extra gigabytes. The nuance is in network priority: during peak hours, if your area’s Starlink cell is congested, lower-priority plans (Residential Lite) may experience slower speeds while higher-priority users (Residential MAX) are served first. This is not throttling in the traditional telecom sense — Starlink will not permanently slow your connection or charge you more. It is a queue: when the network is not congested, all plans get full speed; when it is busy, higher-paying plans go first. For most residential users in average-congestion areas, this distinction rarely matters in day-to-day use. The Roam 100GB plan is the only plan with a meaningful data cap: after 100 gigabytes of priority data, your speeds drop to low-speed until your billing cycle resets. One hundred gigabytes is enough for about a week of moderate streaming or two weeks of mixed use, so Roam 100GB is designed primarily for occasional travelers rather than full-time internet users.
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What equipment do I need for Starlink — what comes in the kit? Standard Kit ($349): Starlink dish (V4) · Gen 3 WiFi 6 router · power cable · kickstand mount · 75-ft cable · everything needed to get online · Mini Kit ($249): Mini dish with built-in WiFi 5 router · power cable only · No monthly equipment rental feesThe Standard Kit that ships with a new Starlink residential subscription contains everything you need to get online in a single box: the satellite dish (currently the V4 model), the Gen 3 router that provides WiFi 6 coverage for your home, a 75-foot cable that connects the dish to the router, a power supply, and a kickstand for ground-level placement during initial setup. No tools are required for the kickstand mount. If you want to permanently attach the dish to your roof, chimney, or wall, Starlink sells mounting hardware separately — and offers third-party professional installation in select areas for $199 (plus the cost of mounting hardware). The Gen 3 router uses WiFi 6 technology and supports up to 235 connected devices, making it more than capable of handling a full household of smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and smart home devices simultaneously. For larger homes, Starlink sells mesh nodes at $130 each that can extend coverage wirelessly — up to three mesh nodes can be added to any Gen 3 router system. There are no monthly equipment rental fees: once you buy the hardware, you own it. If you cancel your service, you keep the dish and router. In select regions, Starlink is also offering rental kits with no upfront hardware cost — just pay for shipping and return the equipment undamaged if you cancel.
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What is Starlink Roam — can I use Starlink in my RV or on the road? Yes — Starlink Roam is designed for mobile use · Plans: $50/month (100GB) or $165/month (unlimited) · Works in motion for RVs and boats · Coverage: all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii · Standard dish also compatible with Roam plans · Mini dish is the preferred portable hardware at $249Starlink Roam is a separate category of plan from Residential, specifically designed for people who need internet that follows them rather than staying fixed at one address. A Roam subscription lets you take your Starlink dish anywhere within the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, and use it at different locations without calling Starlink to change your service address. The unlimited Roam plan at $165/month supports in-motion use, meaning you can get internet while your RV is actually driving down the road or while your boat is underway — the dish tracks satellites automatically. This is technically impressive and practically very useful, though speeds while in motion tend to be lower than speeds when stationary. The 100GB Roam plan at $50/month is for occasional use — weekend trips, camping, seasonal travel — and becomes cost-inefficient if you are using Starlink as a primary internet connection. The Starlink Mini dish is the most popular hardware for Roam plans because its small size and built-in router make it genuinely backpack-portable and easy to set up at campsites. The Standard dish also works on Roam plans and produces higher speeds, but it is heavier and requires more setup effort.
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How do I set up Starlink — is it difficult? Self-installation in under 30 minutes for most users · Steps: download Starlink app → find clear sky view using app’s obstruction checker → plug dish into power → connect router → connect devices · No technician needed for basic setup · Professional installation available for $199 (select areas)Setting up Starlink is genuinely straightforward for most households — SpaceX designed the system to be entirely self-installable, and the vast majority of customers are online within 30 minutes of opening the box. The process starts with the Starlink app, available free from the App Store or Google Play. The app includes a sky-view obstruction checker that you point at different parts of your sky to find the ideal spot for your dish — it shows you in real time exactly how much sky the dish will be able to see from any given location, and identifies whether nearby trees, buildings, or roof structures will cause problems. Obstructions are the most common source of poor Starlink performance, so taking five minutes with the obstruction checker before mounting anything is worth the effort. Once you have found a clear location, you plug the dish in using the included cable, let it boot up (it self-orients automatically — the dish motor physically tilts to find the optimal angle), connect it to the router, and connect your devices to the router’s WiFi network. The whole sequence is guided step-by-step in the app. For permanent roof or chimney mounting, Starlink sells compatible brackets and hardware — or you can hire Starlink’s third-party installation service in areas where it is available.
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Is Starlink good for video calls, streaming, and working from home? Yes — video calls work well on all Starlink plans · Latency (20–40 ms) is low enough for Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, Google Meet · 4K streaming: needs 25+ Mbps, well within Starlink’s range · Gaming: 20–40 ms latency is playable for most games · Working from home: recommended minimum is 25 Mbps — Starlink exceeds this on all plansThe practical question most new Starlink customers want answered is not about gigabits per second — it is whether they can finally have a stable video call with their family without the picture freezing, whether Netflix will stream without buffering at 3 PM on a Tuesday, and whether remote work or school from a rural home is genuinely possible. The answer across all three is yes — and the reason comes back to latency. Old satellite internet’s 600–800 ms latency made video calls objectively unusable because there was a full half-second or more of delay in both directions, causing the constant talking-over-each-other experience anyone who tried HughesNet for video calls knows well. Starlink’s 20–40 ms latency is in the same range as cable internet, which is why video calls on Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams work properly. For streaming, Netflix, YouTube, and most other services require 15–25 Mbps for 4K content — Starlink’s minimum residential speed of 50–100 Mbps exceeds this comfortably. The FCC defines broadband as 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload as of its updated 2024 definition, and all Starlink residential plans meet or approach this standard. For home office use, VPN connections, video conferencing, and cloud applications all function well on Starlink. The only consistent limitation is weather: heavy rain and dense snow can temporarily reduce signal quality, though the dish is rated for high winds and most weather conditions handle without issue.
📊 Starlink Plans & Prices — USA
📌 Prices shown are standard rates · No contract on any plan · Check starlink.com for your exact address pricing
All residential plans include unlimited data. Hardware is a one-time purchase — not rented. Promotional pricing for new customers is periodically available and may reduce costs for the first 3–6 months.
| Plan | Monthly | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 Mbps Home · Fixed |
$50/mo | Up to 100 Mbps down | Light users · Email, browsing, occasional streaming · 1–2 people |
| Residential 200 Mbps Home · Fixed |
$80/mo | Up to 200 Mbps down | Average households · Streaming, video calls, remote work · 2–4 people |
| Residential MAX Home · Best |
$120/mo | Up to 400 Mbps down · Highest priority | Heavy users · Multiple 4K streams · gaming · Includes free Router Mini + 50% off Roam |
| Roam 100GB Mobile · Travel |
$50/mo | 100GB priority · then slow | Weekend travelers · Occasional use · RVers on a budget |
| Roam Unlimited Mobile · Travel |
$165/mo | Unlimited · In-motion capable | Full-time RV or boat use · Works while driving · All 50 states |
| Business Standard Business |
$250/mo | Up to 220 Mbps · Higher priority than residential | Small offices · Remote job sites · Retail · Consistent peak-hour speeds |
| Standby Mode Add-on |
$5/mo | Low-speed (texts, email) | Pause full-speed billing · Vacation homes · Keep account alive cheaply |
⚡ By the Numbers — Starlink at a Glance
🛰️ Coverage USA
99% of the United States
Available in all 50 states per FCC National Broadband Map data. Includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico. Check your exact address at starlink.com — congestion surcharges apply in some high-demand regions ($100–$1,500 one-time).
⏱️ Latency vs. Old Satellite
20–40 ms vs. 600–800 ms
Starlink satellites orbit at 340–560 miles, not 22,000. This is why video calls, gaming, and real-time apps finally work on satellite — the signal round trip is 15–30× faster than HughesNet or old Viasat.
📦 Hardware Cost
$249 Mini · $349 Standard
One-time purchase — you own it, no monthly rental. Standard Kit includes dish, WiFi 6 Gen 3 router, cable, and kickstand. Mini includes dish with built-in WiFi 5 router. No contract. 30-day money-back guarantee.
📶 WiFi Coverage (Gen 3 Router)
2,000–3,200 sq ft
Starlink Gen 3 router covers most homes reliably. WiFi 6, supports 235 devices. Add mesh nodes ($130 each) for larger homes. Starlink Router Mini covers ~1,200 sq ft and costs $40 as a standalone mesh node.
🔍 Detailed Answers — What People Actually Ask
How much does Starlink WiFi cost in total for the first year — including equipment?
TOTAL COST
The most important number most comparison sites bury in fine print is the total first-year cost — because the one-time hardware purchase changes the math completely compared to a month-to-month subscription price alone.
Residential 100 Mbps plan, first year:
Hardware: $349 (Standard Kit, one-time) + Service: $50 × 12 = $600 = approximately $949 total Year 1. After Year 1, you just pay $50/month — the hardware is already owned.
Residential MAX plan, first year:
Hardware: $349 + Service: $120 × 12 = $1,440 = approximately $1,789 total Year 1. Includes free Router Mini (~$40 value) and 50% off Roam plans.
Mini + Roam Unlimited, first year:
Hardware: $249 + Service: $165 × 12 = $1,980 = approximately $2,229 total Year 1. Best for full-time RVers or mobile workers.
For comparison, the average American household pays about $65/month for broadband internet according to FCC pricing data — roughly $780/year. Starlink’s monthly service pricing is competitive with or slightly above this, but the hardware cost makes Year 1 significantly more expensive. Years 2 and beyond look much more competitive since the hardware is already paid for.
Residential 100 Mbps plan, first year:
Hardware: $349 (Standard Kit, one-time) + Service: $50 × 12 = $600 = approximately $949 total Year 1. After Year 1, you just pay $50/month — the hardware is already owned.
Residential MAX plan, first year:
Hardware: $349 + Service: $120 × 12 = $1,440 = approximately $1,789 total Year 1. Includes free Router Mini (~$40 value) and 50% off Roam plans.
Mini + Roam Unlimited, first year:
Hardware: $249 + Service: $165 × 12 = $1,980 = approximately $2,229 total Year 1. Best for full-time RVers or mobile workers.
For comparison, the average American household pays about $65/month for broadband internet according to FCC pricing data — roughly $780/year. Starlink’s monthly service pricing is competitive with or slightly above this, but the hardware cost makes Year 1 significantly more expensive. Years 2 and beyond look much more competitive since the hardware is already paid for.
💰 Res 100 Mbps Year 1: ~$949 total (hardware + 12 months)
💰 Res MAX Year 1: ~$1,789 total
💰 Year 2+: just the monthly fee — hardware is owned
🔄 30-day money-back guarantee — return if not satisfied
What is the Starlink internet service vs. the Starlink router — are they the same thing?
EQUIPMENT EXPLAINED
A question that trips up a surprising number of new customers: Starlink is both an internet service (the satellite connection coming from space) and a hardware system (the dish and router that connect you to it). They are related but distinct.
The Starlink satellite dish (sometimes called “Dishy” by users) is the antenna that communicates with SpaceX’s Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. It physically receives and transmits your internet signal from space. It mounts outside with a clear view of the sky. This is where your internet comes from.
The Starlink router is a standard WiFi router inside your home that takes the signal from the dish and broadcasts it as WiFi throughout your house. The Gen 3 router included with the Standard Kit uses WiFi 6 and covers 2,000–3,200 square feet. You can substitute Starlink’s router for any third-party router by using the optional Ethernet adapter ($25), which lets you connect a router from brands like Eero, Netgear, or TP-Link to the dish.
The Starlink Router Mini is a small $40 mesh WiFi extender — not a dish — designed to extend coverage in dead zones inside your home. It pairs wirelessly with the Gen 3 router and adds ~1,250 square feet of coverage. It ships free with the Residential MAX plan.
The Starlink satellite dish (sometimes called “Dishy” by users) is the antenna that communicates with SpaceX’s Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. It physically receives and transmits your internet signal from space. It mounts outside with a clear view of the sky. This is where your internet comes from.
The Starlink router is a standard WiFi router inside your home that takes the signal from the dish and broadcasts it as WiFi throughout your house. The Gen 3 router included with the Standard Kit uses WiFi 6 and covers 2,000–3,200 square feet. You can substitute Starlink’s router for any third-party router by using the optional Ethernet adapter ($25), which lets you connect a router from brands like Eero, Netgear, or TP-Link to the dish.
The Starlink Router Mini is a small $40 mesh WiFi extender — not a dish — designed to extend coverage in dead zones inside your home. It pairs wirelessly with the Gen 3 router and adds ~1,250 square feet of coverage. It ships free with the Residential MAX plan.
🛰️ Dish = satellite antenna outside (needed for signal)
📶 Router = WiFi broadcaster inside (included in kit)
🔌 Ethernet adapter: $25 — use any third-party router instead
🏠 Router Mini: $40 mesh node — extends dead zones
Where can I buy Starlink equipment — do any stores carry it near me?
WHERE TO BUY
Starlink equipment is available through several channels in the United States, giving you options beyond ordering directly from SpaceX’s website.
starlink.com — The primary and most complete channel. All hardware, all plans, all accessories. Ships with full manufacturer warranty and return policy. 30-day money-back guarantee on all Residential and Roam plans. Most customers start here.
Best Buy — Carries Starlink Standard Kits and Mini in most stores and online. Convenient for same-day pickup and in-person returns.
Walmart — Carries hardware at select locations and online at walmart.com. Useful if you want to pick up equipment locally before ordering service online.
Home Depot — Carries Standard Kit hardware at select locations, particularly useful for rural customers who frequent hardware stores for home improvement projects.
Costco — Carries Starlink equipment at select warehouse locations; check store inventory before making the trip.
Buying hardware from a retail store is only for the equipment. Service activation still requires creating an account at starlink.com and entering your kit’s serial number. Retail hardware comes with the same 30-day return policy through the retailer. Used Starlink equipment can also be purchased and activated — check the activation requirements for transferred kits at starlink.com.
starlink.com — The primary and most complete channel. All hardware, all plans, all accessories. Ships with full manufacturer warranty and return policy. 30-day money-back guarantee on all Residential and Roam plans. Most customers start here.
Best Buy — Carries Starlink Standard Kits and Mini in most stores and online. Convenient for same-day pickup and in-person returns.
Walmart — Carries hardware at select locations and online at walmart.com. Useful if you want to pick up equipment locally before ordering service online.
Home Depot — Carries Standard Kit hardware at select locations, particularly useful for rural customers who frequent hardware stores for home improvement projects.
Costco — Carries Starlink equipment at select warehouse locations; check store inventory before making the trip.
Buying hardware from a retail store is only for the equipment. Service activation still requires creating an account at starlink.com and entering your kit’s serial number. Retail hardware comes with the same 30-day return policy through the retailer. Used Starlink equipment can also be purchased and activated — check the activation requirements for transferred kits at starlink.com.
🛒 starlink.com — all hardware + 30-day money-back
🏪 Best Buy — in-store pickup available
🏪 Walmart · Home Depot · Costco — select locations
⚠️ Activate service at starlink.com regardless of where you buy
Does Starlink WiFi work in bad weather — rain, snow, wind?
WEATHER PERFORMANCE
Weather resistance is one of the most common practical questions from people considering Starlink for a rural or off-grid home — and the honest answer is “mostly yes, with some exceptions.” The Starlink dish is built for outdoor use: it carries an IP56 weatherproof rating (Standard) or IP67 (Mini, which can handle brief submersion), withstands winds up to 50 mph (Gen 3), and has a built-in heater that automatically activates to melt snow and ice off the dish surface during winter storms. Rain, clouds, wind, and mild snow rarely cause noticeable service interruption.
Where weather genuinely matters is during heavy thunderstorms and dense blizzards. Heavy rain produces what engineers call “rain fade” — the signal weakens when traveling through dense water droplets. Most customers report temporary slowdowns during severe storms, not complete outages. Dense, wet snow accumulation on the dish can also cause brief interruptions before the heating element clears it. The dish’s auto-heating feature handles most winter conditions automatically without any action from you.
You will be notified in the Starlink app if a local outage or service disruption is occurring due to weather or planned maintenance. Overall, the consensus from long-term Starlink users across the northern United States and mountain regions is that weather performance is significantly better than early satellite internet systems — the dish’s engineering has improved substantially from early generation hardware.
Where weather genuinely matters is during heavy thunderstorms and dense blizzards. Heavy rain produces what engineers call “rain fade” — the signal weakens when traveling through dense water droplets. Most customers report temporary slowdowns during severe storms, not complete outages. Dense, wet snow accumulation on the dish can also cause brief interruptions before the heating element clears it. The dish’s auto-heating feature handles most winter conditions automatically without any action from you.
You will be notified in the Starlink app if a local outage or service disruption is occurring due to weather or planned maintenance. Overall, the consensus from long-term Starlink users across the northern United States and mountain regions is that weather performance is significantly better than early satellite internet systems — the dish’s engineering has improved substantially from early generation hardware.
🌧️ Heavy rain: temporary slowdowns possible — not typical outages
❄️ Snow: built-in heater melts accumulation automatically
💨 Wind: rated 50 mph (Gen 3 Standard dish)
📱 App alerts you when a local outage is occurring
How does Starlink compare to HughesNet, Viasat, and cable internet?
STARLINK VS. OTHERS
For customers in rural areas weighing their options, this is the most practical comparison:
Starlink vs. HughesNet: HughesNet’s standard plans run 25–100 Mbps download but carry 600–800 ms latency, data caps, and hard throttling after you hit your monthly allotment. Starlink delivers 2–4× more speed, 15–30× lower latency, and no hard data caps. HughesNet is less expensive month-to-month ($50–$75) but cannot handle video calls or gaming reliably due to latency. Over a 24-month comparison, Starlink costs more but delivers a fundamentally better experience for most users.
Starlink vs. Viasat (Exede): Viasat offers higher speed tiers (up to 150 Mbps) but still uses geostationary satellites with high latency. Data caps and throttling are part of the standard plan structure. Starlink is typically a better deal for anyone who needs real-time responsiveness.
Starlink vs. cable internet: If you have access to cable or fiber internet in your area, it will generally provide more consistent speeds, lower latency (5–20 ms), and a lower monthly cost than Starlink. Starlink’s value is primarily in areas where cable, fiber, or DSL are unavailable or unreliable. In a head-to-head comparison, cable and fiber win on consistency and cost where they exist — Starlink wins everywhere else.
Starlink vs. HughesNet: HughesNet’s standard plans run 25–100 Mbps download but carry 600–800 ms latency, data caps, and hard throttling after you hit your monthly allotment. Starlink delivers 2–4× more speed, 15–30× lower latency, and no hard data caps. HughesNet is less expensive month-to-month ($50–$75) but cannot handle video calls or gaming reliably due to latency. Over a 24-month comparison, Starlink costs more but delivers a fundamentally better experience for most users.
Starlink vs. Viasat (Exede): Viasat offers higher speed tiers (up to 150 Mbps) but still uses geostationary satellites with high latency. Data caps and throttling are part of the standard plan structure. Starlink is typically a better deal for anyone who needs real-time responsiveness.
Starlink vs. cable internet: If you have access to cable or fiber internet in your area, it will generally provide more consistent speeds, lower latency (5–20 ms), and a lower monthly cost than Starlink. Starlink’s value is primarily in areas where cable, fiber, or DSL are unavailable or unreliable. In a head-to-head comparison, cable and fiber win on consistency and cost where they exist — Starlink wins everywhere else.
🆚 vs. HughesNet: Starlink 2–4× faster · 15–30× lower latency
🆚 vs. Viasat: Starlink wins on latency for video calls and gaming
🆚 vs. Cable/Fiber: cable/fiber wins on cost and consistency if available in your area
✅ Starlink’s niche: best option where cable/fiber doesn’t reach
📍 Find Starlink Equipment & Internet Help Near You
Starlink service is ordered online, but hardware is available at major retailers. Use these buttons to find a nearby store or internet service help.
✅ 5 Steps to Get Starlink WiFi at Your Home or on the Road
- Step 1 — Check availability and exact pricing at starlink.com. Enter your home address or service address to confirm coverage and see whether any congestion surcharges apply in your area. Starlink serves 99% of the U.S. but pricing varies by location. The quote takes under 60 seconds with no account needed.
- Step 2 — Choose the right plan for how you actually use the internet. Light users (email, browsing, one TV): Residential 100 Mbps at $50/month. Most households (streaming, video calls, work from home): Residential 200 Mbps at $80/month. Heavy users (multiple 4K streams, gaming, power users): Residential MAX at $120/month. On the road or in an RV: Roam Unlimited at $165/month. Not sure — pick the 200 Mbps plan. You can switch plans at any time without penalty.
- Step 3 — Order your hardware. Order directly from starlink.com or pick up a Standard Kit at Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, or Costco. Standard Kit (home use): $349. Mini (portable travel): $249. There is no monthly equipment rental fee — you own it. If you cancel within 30 days, return the hardware for a full refund.
- Step 4 — Find the best spot for your dish before mounting anything. Download the free Starlink app (iOS or Android) and use the obstruction checker before you install. Hold your phone up and pan around your yard or roof — the app shows you exactly how much sky your dish will see from that spot and flags trees, chimneys, or roof lines that will interrupt service. Five minutes with this tool prevents weeks of troubleshooting later. The dish needs a clear, unobstructed view of the northern sky.
- Step 5 — Set up in under 30 minutes and connect your devices. Plug the dish into power using the included cable, let it boot (it self-orients automatically — no manual aiming). Connect the router. Follow the activation steps in the Starlink app. Connect your phones, laptops, and smart TV to the Starlink WiFi network. You are online. If you experience slow speeds initially, check the app’s performance screen — it will tell you whether obstruction is the issue and where to reposition the dish.
📡 Starlink Resources & Quick Contact:
🌐 Order service: starlink.com
📱 App: Starlink (iOS & Android) — free
📞 Outage line: 1-866-606-5103 (Mon–Fri, 6 AM–6 PM CT)
🤖 AI support 24/7: 888-GO-STARLINK (888-467-8275)
🏪 Best Buy: bestbuy.com · in-store pickup
🛒 Walmart: walmart.com/starlink
🏠 Home Depot: homedepot.com · in-store
🏪 Costco: costco.com · select locations
💻 Help center: starlink.com/support
🗺️ Coverage map: starlink.com/map
📶 FCC broadband: fcc.gov/broadbandforall
🔄 No contract — cancel any time
⏸️ Standby Mode: $5/mo — keep account, pause billing
🚐 RV / boat: Roam plans — starlink.com/roam
This guide is for informational purposes only. Starlink plan prices, availability, equipment costs, promotions, and hardware specifications are subject to change at any time — verify all current details directly at starlink.com before ordering. Prices shown reflect standard U.S. rates; your specific address may be higher or lower depending on local network congestion. Speeds listed are typical ranges based on published specifications and real-world performance data; actual speeds vary by location, obstructions, weather, and network congestion in your area. Starlink is a registered trademark of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.