Starlink vs. Viasat in 2026: Full Comparison (Speed, Price, Data, Contracts)

Best for: Intensive online usage

Starting price

^$55/mo.*

• Max speeds of up to 400 Mbps
• Plug-and-play setup at $0 (in select areas)
• Works on-the-go
• Unlimited data
• LEO satellites
• Typical latency of 25 ms to 75 ms

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Best for: Everyday reliability

Starting price

^$39.99/mo. (for 3 months)

• Max speeds of up to 150 Mbps
• Equipment fee: $15/mo.
• 150 – 850 GB Priority data
• No hard data caps
• GEO satellites
• Typical latency of 600 ms to 750 ms

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Starlink is changing the rural internet landscape with it’s low-earth orbit satellites that deliver faster internet speeds, reduced latency, and unlimited data that cover most household’s internet requirements.

Viasat, on the other hand, delivers an alternative that competes with most of the local GEO satellite giants by providing stable speeds, unlimited standard data, and WiFi equipment that seamlessly connects all devices throughout your home.

If you’re looking for reliable high-speed rural internet, chances are you’ve already explored some of the top satellite internet providers in your area. Any quick search will tell you that the two top satellite providers in the country include Starlink and Viasat.

This guide breaks down Starlink and Viasat internet plans, prices, speeds, data, contracts, and hidden fees to give you a complete picture of both providers. Here’s what you can expect to read:

• Technology Difference: Why LEO Beats GEO for Most Users
• Starlink vs. Viasat – Which is Faster?
• Pricing Breakdown
• Data Limits Explained
• Contracts and Flexibility
• Coverage and Availability
• Installation and Setup
• Customer Service
• Who Should Choose Starlink?
• Who Should Choose Viasat?

Technology Difference: Why LEO Beats GEO for Most Users

Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites orbit the Earth at a distance of under 2000 kilometers, making a total of 12 orbits per day, while geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites are at a distance of 36,000 kilometers and only 1 orbit per day. This makes a difference in how both of these satellite types are used, and LEO satellites suit the household internet user more. Let’s understand how:

LEO satellites are closer to the surface of Earth, which means the time it takes for signals to be exchanged between the satellite and antenna on Earth is faster. In simpler terms, LEO satellite internet has a much lower latency than GEO satellite internet. Faster communication, quicker response rates, and consistent signals because of satellite mobility make LEO satellites more suitable for intensive internet users.

GEO satellites, unlike LEO, are stationary. Since they are so high up in the sky, each one covers almost one-third of the Earth’s area, and so their functionality is more suited for broadcasting, weather forecasting, and radio communication. While internet providers do have GEO satellites too, the drawback is higher internet latency.

Starlink employs LEO satellites while Viasat has GEO technology, and the key difference in their performance is their choice of satellite technology. However, with the launch of Viasat’s VS3 satellite this year, Viasat claims to deliver improved performance, enhanced bandwidth, and faster speeds for residential and small business customers even in rural areas.

Only in the last year, 3 million users have switched to Starlink for faster and more reliable satellite internet connections in rural areas for exactly this reason. However, Viasat still enjoys millions of users because not every household is bothered by latency.

Our Verdict: Starlink’s LEO technology enables the network to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and better network performance!

Starlink vs. Viasat – Which is Faster?

Starlink offers faster internet speeds of up to 400 Mbps as compared to Viasat’s maximum speeds of up to 150 Mbps. As discussed, their satellite technology plays a big role in this. Starlink’s LEO satellites are closer to Earth and can deliver faster speeds. Here’s what both providers’ speeds look like at a glance:

Download and Upload Speed Comparison

Starlink upload and download speeds are better suited for larger homes and users who need the internet for remote work, online gaming, HD streaming, and content creation. All of these activities require faster upload speeds than the provider offers.

Viasat speeds, on the other hand, are better suited for basic online activity and smaller homes with users who need the internet for browsing, surfing, social media usage, and sending or receiving emails. While it also supports video calls and file uploads, the performance may not be as smooth as Starlink.

Latency Comparison

Starlink and Viasat have a huge latency gap. This is one of the most prominent differentiating factors that set these services apart. Starlink’s low-latency connection smoothly supports live action gaming, smooth video calling, and live streaming, while Viasat's connection struggles to broadcast quicker responses.

Our Verdict: Starlink offers faster upload and download speeds and considerably lower latency compared to Viasat, making it more suitable for intensive online usage!

Viasat vs. Starlink – Pricing Breakdown

Starlink plans start from $55/mo. for 100 Mbps and go up to $130/mo. for 400 Mbps, while Viasat’s starting price is $39.99–$69.99/mo. for the first three months with a speed range of 12 – 150 Mbps depending on your location.

Starlink’s basic tier plan has a slightly higher price compared to Viasat’s starting price; however, note that Viasat’s price increases after the first 3 months. So, technically, Starlink’s price is more consistent and guarantees a higher speed even for the basic entry-level plan.

Here are both providers’ internet plans at a glance:

Starlink Internet Plans and Pricing

Viasat Internet Plans and pricing

Equipment Cost

Starlink equipment cost varies from $199 for a portable mini unit to $349 for the standard residential kit for roaming plans. However, in some areas, you can get their plug-and-play equipment at no added cost if you commit to a 12-month contract. You will, however, need to pay a $10/mo. hardware rental if you’re not buying the equipment upfront.

Viasat allows you to lease the equipment at $15/mo. or pay a one-time fee: a lifetime lease of $250, if applicable in your area.

Hidden Costs

Viasat’s entry-level price of 39.99/mo. (available at select addresses) is a 3-month introductory price which may be confusing for some users when they see a rise in the bill. Apart from this, Viasat is very straightforward with pricing, with no hidden costs except the $3.49 monthly charge for the ‘Administrative Cost Recovery Fee’.

As for the contract-bound plans, you will be charged an early termination fee of $15 for every remaining month of the contract. This can add a major amount to you if, for any reason, you decide to discontinue the service. On the bright side, there is no early termination fee for the month-to-month plans.

Starlink charges you a one-time $20 fee for shipping and handling; however, they do not have any hidden charges such as an early-termination fee or administrative costs. However, their taxes and equipment charges vary by location.

Our Verdict: Viasat offers a cheaper entry-level plan but their price increases after the promotional period, while Starlink offers consistent pricing but can be on the expensive side if you have to purchase the equipment upfront!

Starlink vs. Viasat Data Limits Explained

While both Starlink and Viasat advertise unlimited data, the real picture may look a little different. Let’s break down both providers’ data limits and policies:

Starlink Unlimited Data Explained

Starlink offers unlimited deprioritized data, which means you will not be charged any fee for exceeding a set amount of data; rather, during peak hours and network congestion, data-intensive activities like HD streaming, live gaming, and video calling, you may experience slower speeds as per the fair usage policy to fairly distribute bandwidth among all users.

Viasat Data Caps Explained

Viasat offers unlimited data with the Unleashed plan, and a set amount of priority data with the Essential plan. While you’re not charged to go beyond your data limit, you may experience slower speeds during peak hours due to network congestion once your priority data is exceeded on the Viasat Essential plan.

So, instead of using ‘data caps’, Viasat imposes a typical usage threshold, which means if your data usage is above the typical usage of 70% of residential internet users, you will experience a temporary throttle to manage data fairly among users.

Our Verdict: Both Starlink and Viasat have soft data caps, limited priority data, but no data overage fees, which means you can use an unlimited amount of data; however, your speeds may slow down during peak hours.

Starlink vs. Viasat – Contracts & Flexibility

Starlink offers both month-to-month flexibility and a 12-to-24-month contract if you want to receive the starter kit for free. If you want to cut down on the hardware cost, you can choose to be on a contract, or pay up front and avoid being bound in a commitment.

Viasat similarly offers month-to-month flexibility with the Unleashed plan; however, with the Viasat Essential plan, you need a 24-month commitment. This commitment unlocks a 3-month discounted price, but you eventually have to pay more after the promotional period ends.

Our Verdict: Both providers have a somewhat similar contract option; however, with Starlink you get a long-term benefit for choosing the contract, whereas with Viasat, the benefit ends after 3 months.

Coverage and Availability Comparison

Both Viasat and Starlink have satellite internet available across the country in all 50 states. However, the availability of plans, speeds, and offers may vary based on your location. You can enter your ZIP code in the search tool below to check which Viasat and Starlink plans are available at your address.

Installation and Setup

Starlink offers free installation with all their internet plans, as their plug-and-play kit is designed to be self-installed. You can view Starlink’s official self-setup guide to help you get started.

If you still require a professional roof installation, Starlink will hook you up with a third-party professional, and the fee will vary based on your location.

Viasat offers a free standard installation with all internet plans; however, like Starlink, if you need a non-standard installation tailored to your home, you will need to pay additional charges depending on the type of work required.

Customer Service

Starlink and Viasat both offer round-the-clock customer support via call or through their online portal. You can get in touch with a support agent to help you resolve any technical issue with convenience. Here are the customer support details for both providers:

Who Should Choose Starlink?

Starlink’s high speeds and low latency are ideal for users in rural and remote areas who need the internet for heavy usage like running small businesses. With their roaming plans, you can stay connected on the go, making it the perfect connection for frequent travelers located in remote or rural areas.

Who Should Choose Viasat?

Viasat’s flexibility for month-to-month plans suits the younger user base who are temporarily residing in rural or remote areas for work, while the long-term commitment is ideal for small families with basic online needs such as surfing, browsing, using social media, and staying connected with friends and family.

Let’s look at some use-case scenarios to understand which provider is better based on popular internet activities:

Which provider is better for online gaming?

Starlink is surely the better choice for live action or multiplayer gaming due to its low latency. However, for turn-based games or casual gaming, Viasat would work well too.

Which provider is better for remote work?

If your remote work involves uploading large files, frequent video calls, or using online tools, Starlink would be the ideal choice. However, Viasat can support basic email correspondence, messages, and team communication efficiently too.

Which provider is better for streaming?

While Viasat can support video streaming, you may experience lower quality, buffering, and a few lags due to its higher latency. For smooth and seamless HD streaming, Starlink is surely the better choice.

FAQs