Starlink's current pricing structure
Starlink residential service costs $120 per month for the standard plan as of early 2024, though this price has shifted multiple times in the past two years. You also pay a one-time hardware cost of $599 for the dish, router, and mounting hardware. If you want Starlink to install it, add $500 for professional installation.
Starlink also offers a higher-tier plan called Premium at $500 per month, which gives you more data priority during congested times and faster speeds — typically 150 to 500 Mbps instead of 50 to 250 Mbps on the standard plan. Most people do not need Premium unless they run a business from home or have a household of heavy streamers.
There is no contract, so you can cancel anytime without a penalty. However, Starlink has raised prices on existing customers before, so the $120 you pay today may not be what you pay in six months.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Starlink residential service costs $120 per month plus a $599 upfront hardware fee, with optional $500 professional installation.
- Premium service runs $500 per month and prioritizes your data during network congestion, but most households do not need it.
- Starlink has no contract and no early termination fee, but the company has raised prices on existing customers multiple times.
- Your actual speed and reliability depend heavily on your location, obstructions above the dish, and how many other Starlink users are in your area.
- Starlink works best as a backup internet connection or for rural areas where cable and fiber are not available, not as a replacement for wired broadband in cities.
What the $599 hardware actually includes
The $599 covers three physical pieces: the satellite dish (called a phased array antenna), a Wi-Fi router, and a mounting pole or bracket. The dish is roughly the size of a large pizza box and needs a clear view of the northern sky — trees, buildings, or hills in the way will cut your signal.
The router Starlink provides is basic but functional. It covers a typical house, though if you have a large home or thick walls, you may want to add your own mesh Wi-Fi system. Starlink does not charge extra for this — you can plug your own router into theirs.
If you already own the hardware and want to move it to a new address, Starlink charges $25 to reactivate service at the new location. If you lose or damage the dish, replacement costs $299.
Speed and data limits you should know about
Starlink advertises speeds of 50 to 250 Mbps on the standard plan. In practice, most users see 100 to 150 Mbps on a clear day with no obstructions. This is fast enough for video streaming, video calls, and online gaming, but it is not as consistent as cable or fiber internet.
There is no hard data cap — you can use as much data as you want each month. However, Starlink does use prioritization, which means if your area is congested, your speeds will slow down. This is more likely to happen in the evening when many people are online at once. Premium subscribers get priority over standard subscribers in these moments.
Latency (the delay between sending a request and getting a response) is typically 20 to 40 milliseconds on Starlink, which is acceptable for most tasks. It used to be much higher, which made online gaming difficult, but recent improvements have made it competitive with cable internet.
Where Starlink works well and where it does not
Starlink shines in rural areas where cable and fiber are not available. If you live more than a mile from the nearest town and your only other option is a slow satellite internet service or DSL, Starlink is usually worth the cost. It is also useful as a backup connection if your primary internet goes down.
Starlink performs poorly in cities and suburbs where cable or fiber is available. You will pay more per month than you would for wired internet, and you will get less reliable speeds. The dish also requires a clear view of the sky, which is harder to achieve in dense neighborhoods.
Weather affects Starlink more than wired internet. Heavy rain or snow can temporarily reduce speeds or drop your connection. This is not a deal-breaker for most people, but it is worth knowing if you live somewhere with frequent storms.
How to check if Starlink is available at your address
Go to starlink.com and enter your address in the availability checker. Starlink will tell you whether service is available now, coming soon, or not planned for your area. The timeline can change — areas marked "coming soon" may wait months or years, or may never get service.
If Starlink says it is available, you can order online and the dish typically arrives within two to four weeks. If you choose professional installation, add another week or two to that timeline. You can also check Starlink's coverage map to see which satellites serve your region.
Comparing Starlink to other internet options
If cable internet is available at your address, it will almost always be cheaper and faster than Starlink. Cable typically costs $50 to $100 per month with no hardware fee, and speeds are more consistent. The downside is that cable requires infrastructure in your area, which rules it out for many rural locations.
Fiber internet, where available, is the fastest option and often costs the same or less than Starlink. However, fiber is only available in certain neighborhoods and cities, so most people cannot choose it.
Traditional satellite internet (from companies like Viasat or HughesNet) is slower and more expensive than Starlink, but it has been around longer and may have better coverage in some remote areas. If Starlink says it is not available at your address, check these providers before assuming you have no options.
Fixed wireless internet, offered by some regional providers and increasingly by cellular companies like T-Mobile and Verizon, can be a middle ground. It costs $50 to $100 per month and works in some rural areas where Starlink is not available yet. Speed varies widely depending on your distance from the tower.
Hidden costs and things that affect your total bill
The $120 monthly fee is the base cost, but a few things can add to it. If you want Starlink to handle the installation, that is $500 one-time. If you move and want to reactivate service at a new address, that is $25. If you pause your service temporarily (say, for the winter), Starlink charges $25 per month to keep your account active.
Taxes and fees vary by location and can add 10 to 20 percent to your bill. Starlink does not break these out separately — they appear as a line item at checkout.
If you need a larger dish for better performance in a marginal coverage area, Starlink offers a "Starlink Mini" for $599 (same price as the standard dish) and a larger "Starlink Ultra" for $2,500. Most people do not need these, but they exist if your location is on the edge of coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause my Starlink subscription if I do not need it for a few months?
Yes. Starlink lets you pause service for up to three months at a time for $25 per month. After three months, you must either resume or cancel. This is useful if you have a seasonal home or know you will be away for a while.
What happens if trees or buildings block my dish?
Your speeds will drop significantly, sometimes to unusable levels. Starlink provides an obstructions map during setup that shows you exactly what is blocking the view. If obstructions are unavoidable, Starlink may not work well at your location, and you should test it before committing.
Is there a contract, and what if I want to cancel?
There is no contract and no early termination fee. You can cancel anytime by logging into your account online. However, you own the hardware, so you cannot return it for a refund — you keep the dish.
Does Starlink work during bad weather?
Light rain and snow have minimal impact, but heavy rain or wet snow can temporarily reduce speeds or drop your connection. If you live in an area with frequent severe storms, this is worth considering before signing up.
Can I use my own router instead of Starlink's?
Yes. You can plug any router into the Starlink hardware and use it instead of or alongside the provided router. This does not cost extra and is useful if you want better Wi-Fi coverage or specific features.