Starlink's current pricing

Starlink costs $120 per month for the standard residential service in most of the United States. The equipment you need to set up at home — a satellite dish, router, and mounting hardware — costs $600 upfront. Some areas offer a lower-cost plan called Starlink Standard (Basic) for $60 per month, but this comes with slower speeds and lower data priority during busy times.

Starlink also offers a mobile service called Starlink Mini for $150 per month, which uses a smaller portable dish. The Mini dish itself costs $400. These prices can vary by region and change over time, so checking Starlink's website for your specific address will show you what is actually available where you live.

Installation is not included in these prices. If you want Starlink to send a technician to set up the dish, that costs $100 to $500 depending on how complicated your roof or property is. Many people install it themselves to avoid this fee — the dish connects to a power outlet and ethernet cable, and the app walks you through aiming it.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Starlink residential service costs $120 per month plus $600 for the dish and equipment, with no long-term contract required.
  • A cheaper $60-per-month option exists in some areas but offers slower speeds and lower priority when the network is congested.
  • Professional installation by Starlink technicians adds $100 to $500, though self-installation is possible and free.
  • Starlink Mobile is a separate $150-per-month service for portable use and requires its own $400 dish.
  • Prices and plan availability vary by location, so you need to check Starlink's website with your address to see what you can actually get.

What speeds and data limits you actually get

The $120 standard plan typically delivers 50 to 200 Mbps download speeds, though Starlink publishes no may provide. Real-world speeds depend on weather, how many other users are on the satellite above you, and how clear your view of the sky is. The $60 basic plan is slower — usually 25 to 100 Mbps — and Starlink deprioritizes your data when the network is busy, meaning your speed can drop further during peak hours.

Neither plan has a hard data cap, but Starlink reserves the right to slow you down if you use more than 1 TB per month on the standard plan. The basic plan has a 100 GB monthly threshold before potential slowdown. In practice, most users do not hit these limits, but they exist and Starlink can enforce them without warning.

Latency — the delay between sending a request and getting a response — is around 25 to 50 milliseconds on Starlink, which is much better than older satellite internet but noticeably higher than cable or fiber. This matters for video calls and online games, where the delay can feel sluggish compared to ground-based internet.

How Starlink compares to cable and fiber

Cable internet from providers like Comcast or Charter typically costs $50 to $100 per month for similar speeds, with no equipment fee if you rent a modem. Fiber from providers like Verizon Fios or local carriers can cost $40 to $80 per month and often comes with faster speeds than Starlink. Both cable and fiber have lower latency and no weather-related slowdowns.

The main reason people choose Starlink is availability. If you live in a rural area where cable and fiber do not reach, Starlink may be your only option for broadband speeds. Starlink also requires no digging or infrastructure work — the dish points at the sky, so installation is faster than waiting months for a cable company to run lines to your house.

If cable or fiber is available at your address, it is usually cheaper and faster than Starlink. Starlink makes sense when those options do not exist or when you need portable internet that works while traveling.

Equipment costs and what happens if it breaks

The $600 upfront cost covers the satellite dish, a router, a power supply, and mounting hardware. If any of this equipment fails within the first year, Starlink replaces it for free. After one year, a replacement dish costs $300 to $400, and a replacement router costs $50 to $100.

Starlink does not offer insurance or protection plans for accidental damage. If you drop the dish or a tree branch hits it, you pay full replacement cost. Some homeowners insurance policies cover satellite dishes, so checking your policy may reveal you already have protection.

The dish itself is designed to withstand rain, snow, and wind, and Starlink claims it has a lifespan of several years. In practice, most dishes last longer than that, but there is no may provide. If you are renting your home, check your lease before installing — some landlords do not allow permanent roof-mounted equipment.

Whether Starlink requires a contract or deposit

Starlink has no long-term contract. You can cancel anytime by logging into your account and requesting cancellation. There is no early termination fee, and you do not get a refund for the equipment you already paid for.

Starlink does not require a security deposit or credit check. You can sign up online with a credit card, and service starts once your dish arrives and you complete setup. If you stop paying your monthly bill, Starlink will suspend your service, but there is no debt collection or credit reporting mentioned in their terms.

The lack of a contract is a real advantage over traditional cable and fiber providers, which often lock you in for 12 or 24 months and charge fees if you leave early.

Extra costs you might encounter

If you want to move your Starlink service to a new address, there is no relocation fee — you just update your address in the app. However, if your new location is not yet covered by Starlink, you cannot move service there and will have to wait for coverage to expand.

Starlink does not charge for customer support, but support is primarily through email and the app, not phone calls. If you need faster help, some third-party installers offer paid support packages, but these are not required.

If you want to add Starlink Mobile to your existing home service, it costs an additional $150 per month and requires a second $400 dish. You cannot combine the two services into a single bill discount.

Starlink for businesses and RVs

Starlink offers a business plan for $500 per month with higher priority on the network and a service level agreement. This is meant for small offices or shops that need reliable internet, not for reselling Starlink to other customers.

For RVs and boats, Starlink Mobile is the option, at $150 per month. The portable dish works anywhere Starlink has coverage, so you can use it while traveling. Some RV parks are beginning to offer Starlink as an included amenity, so check before paying for your own.

Starlink also sells a roaming plan for $600 per month that prioritizes your connection and works globally in countries where Starlink operates. This is expensive and meant for people who need may provide speeds while moving between countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Starlink if I live in an apartment?

Starlink requires a clear view of the northern sky (in the Northern Hemisphere), which most apartments cannot provide. If your building has a rooftop or balcony with an unobstructed view, you might be able to install it, but you will need permission from your landlord or building management. Check Starlink's coverage map with your address to see if service is available first.

What happens to my internet if it rains?

Heavy rain can temporarily slow your Starlink connection or cause brief outages, especially during thunderstorms. This is a known limitation of satellite internet. Light rain usually has no noticeable effect. If weather-related outages are a dealbreaker, cable or fiber internet is more reliable.

Do I need to pay anything besides the monthly bill?

The monthly bill is your only recurring cost. The $600 equipment fee is a one-time upfront charge. Professional installation is optional and costs extra only if you choose it. After that, there are no hidden fees, taxes, or service charges beyond what Starlink quotes you.

Can I use Starlink while traveling?

The standard residential dish is designed to stay in one place. If you want to use Starlink while traveling, you need the Starlink Mini ($150 per month, $400 dish) or Starlink Mobile ($150 per month). Both work anywhere Starlink has coverage, but they are slower and more expensive than the home service.

What if Starlink is not available at my address yet?

Starlink's coverage map shows when service is expected to arrive in your area. You can join a waitlist, and Starlink will notify you when your address becomes available. There is no cost to join the waitlist, and you are not obligated to sign up when coverage arrives.