Starlink Internet offers various plans tailored to different needs and budgets. As of 2025, the monthly costs for Starlink Internet in the USA are as follows:
- Residential Plan: $120/month
- Residential Lite Plan: $80/month (available in select states)
- Roam Plan: $150/month
- Mobile Priority Plans: Ranging from $250 to $5,000/month, depending on data needs.
These plans cater to a wide range of users, from homeowners seeking reliable internet to travelers needing connectivity on the go.
Equipment Costs and Installation
Starlink requires users to purchase equipment upfront, which sets it apart from traditional ISPs that offer rental options. The costs vary depending on the plan: Service Plans
- Standard Equipment: $349
- Roam Equipment: $599
- Flat High-Performance Equipment: $2,500
While Starlink does not require professional installation, making setup easier and more cost-effective, the lack of rental options for equipment means a hefty upfront investment for new users.
Speeds and Performance
Starlink provides download speeds up to 220 Mbps and latency as low as 5 ms in many locations across the U.S. Over time, Starlink internet will offer faster speeds to customers without the need to upgrade.
The Residential Lite plan offers speeds between 50-100 Mbps, compared to the 150-250 Mbps available with the standard residential service. While slower, these speeds remain competitive with many traditional broadband options, especially in rural areas where high-speed internet access is limited.
Data Policies and Fair Use
Starlink offers unlimited data, but with a fair use policy. All Starlink plans come with a Priority Access period between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., where customers have a data limit of 1 TB over the period of a month. Customers who don’t purchase additional Priority Access will experience slower speeds during peak hours.
Unlike Hughesnet and Viasat, which significantly throttle speeds after reaching data limits, Starlink merely deprioritizes standard users during peak times, meaning speeds will fluctuate but won’t become entirely unusable.
Availability and Coverage
Starlink is available throughout the U.S., making it a good choice for rural areas. Although it has nearly complete nationwide coverage, Starlink sometimes struggles to keep up with nationwide demand and isn’t always transparent about new offerings like the Roam 50GB.
The Residential Lite plan is currently available in approximately 15 U.S. states, including Iowa, Maine, North Dakota, Minnesota, and New Mexico. These locations were likely chosen because SpaceX has additional network capacity in these regions.
Promotions and Discounts
SpaceX has introduced a new 12-month residential Starlink subscription plan that effectively reduces the hardware cost of its satellite internet kit—normally priced at $349 in the U.S.—to $0 in select markets. This promotion does not increase the monthly service fee and allows a 30-day trial with a full refund option. However, customers should be aware of fine print clauses: if the service is canceled or the address is changed, a prorated fee equivalent to the hardware’s original cost may apply. Additionally, a one-time “demand surcharge” of approximately $100 could be imposed in high-usage areas.
