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for 12 mos.*
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(877) 783-2597Boundless connectivity, unlimited interactivity, and evinced reliability are the three key ingredients that make satellite internet a trusted service for non-conformists. Even with restrictions in the infrastructure, they can dive a little deeper, speak a little louder, and go a little higher to become the movers and shakers of the world.
Such is the power of a satellite internet connection. Time and again, it has proved that the human race was created to be free. Today, we will compare and contrast the two prominent satellite internet providers in the USA, Viasat, and Starlink, to see which one can persuade you to dream bigger, because remember, the sky is no longer the limit.
Viasat, the nation’s second-largest satellite internet service provider, was incepted in 1986 by three former Linkabit employees, Mark Dankberg, Mark Miller, and Steven Hart. The company was initially launched as a secure network systems provider for the U.S. military and aircraft manufacturers. In 2012, with the launch of the ViaSat-1 high-capacity satellite and the debut of Exede, Viasat became the fastest consumer satellite broadband provider in the country, offering a baseline download speed of 12 Mbps.
Today, Viasat has close to 590,000 internet subscribers who regularly enjoy download speeds of up to 150 Mbps for a starting price of $49.99 per month. Viasat internet plans come with up to 500 GB of priority data and 2-year contracts. The top-notch service gives customers the convenience of free professional installation and unlimited monthly data allowance at standard speeds.
Internet signals “from the sky above” are transmitted via a fleet of 5 geostationary satellites, positioned in the high Earth orbit to offer expansive coverage in North America, parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia. Viasat’s wide availability extends to 50 states of the USA, including most off-grid locations.
Viasat’s ground stations, which serve as intermediaries between the outer space satellites and internet users, are processing telemetry data from 6 global locations, including Pendergrass, Georgia. It is here that the speeds and data caps are adjusted for subscribers’ specific needs.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is a satellite broadband provider that started operations in 2019 with the launch of its first 60 satellites known as the ‘constellation’. The first leg of Starlink’s journey was marred with legal battles and license refusals. Unlike Viasat and HughesNet satellites, Starlink’s fleet is positioned in the low Earth orbit and is prone to astronomical interference and causing space debris.
However, in February 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted permission to Starlink to operate a constellation of over a million low-orbit communication satellites for “eliminating (internet) dead zones” across the world.
Today, Starlink has more than 4,000 satellites in orbit, approximately 342 miles (550 kilometers) away from the Earth. Close to half a million Americans are actively using or have pre-ordered the Starlink satellite internet service, and can receive download speeds of up to 220 Mbps with a high data cap of 1 terabyte (TB).
Starlink satellites’ proximity to Earth allows it to keep the latency as low as 25 milliseconds (ms). The starting price of Starlink residential internet plans is $90 per month in excess-capacity areas and $120 per month in limited-capacity areas. It means that if you are living in a densely populated town, you are mostly likely to get $30 off on your internet service. However, customers in remote locations, like farmlands, are charged $120 each month.
With Starlink, everything is surplus. Currently, Starlink has 32 live ground stations in the United States, spread across the contiguous USA, as well as, Hawaii and Alaska, to effectively communicate with the satellites and send regulated internet signals to individual homes.
Our perspective on the Viasat vs Starlink debate is a juxtaposition between the old and the new. Primarily, we are here to either stand in favor of the claim “old is gold” or hop on the idea of “future is now”.
Starlink is upbeat, trendy and radiates a futuristic vibe with its avant-garde technology. On the other hand, Viasat comes with the safety net of “proven solutions”.
If you are new to the realm of satellite internet, deciding on a winner will not be as clear-cut as your friends and family have suggested. Before joining the Viasat or Starlink fan clubs, you must consider several aspects, like your internet usage, budget, location, and long-term plans.
With us, you are in luck. Our side-by-side Viasat vs Starlink comparison table is an overview of the main features and specifications offered by the two internet service providers. So, take a look.
| Viasat vs Starlink Internet | ||
| Features | Viasat | Starlink |
| Type of Internet | Satellite | Satellite |
| Availability | 99% of the USA | 75% of the USA |
| Starting Price | $49.99/mo. | $90.00/mo. |
| Download Speed | Up to 150 Mbps | Up to 220 Mbps |
| Data Caps | 500 GB | 1 TB |
| Contracts | 24 months | Not required |
| Installation Fee | Free | $50.00 |
| Equipment Fee | $299.99 (one-time) | $599.00 |
| Bundle Deals | Available | Not Available |
| Promotions | Available | Available |
| Customer Service | 3.8 out of 5 stars | 4.2 out of 5 stars |
| Best For | Remote dwellers | Explorers and RVers |
The extraterrestrial experience comes at an expensive price tag. You are paying for using cutting-edge equipment and dedicated internet access in the remotest parts of the country. Users are not wrong when they use the analogy of a UFO landing in the farmer’s field to describe their experience with a super fast satellite internet service. The efficiency and reliability of this space-based technology continue to astound people.
Viasat internet plans start at a promo rate of $49.99 per month for the first 3 months. Users can choose between 5 tiers of speed to get their ideal upload and download speeds at an acceptable monthly fee. All the Viasat plans include free professional installation and unlimited data at standard speeds (5 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up).
Please note that the upload speed on all the Viasat internet plans is set to a maximum of 3 Mbps for residential customers.
| Plan | Price | Speed | Data Cap |
| Internet 25 | $49.99/mo. | 25 Mbps | 60 GB |
| Internet 50 | $69.99/mo. | 50 Mbps | 100 GB |
| Internet 75 | $99.99/mo. | 75 Mbps | 150 GB |
| Internet 100 | $149.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 300 GB |
| Internet 150 | $199.99/mo. | 150 Mbps | 500 GB |
Viasat Internet customers can save up to $300 in the promo period of 3 months. However, the post-promotion price hike can be as steep as 50 percent.
| Plan | Promo Price | Regular Price | Change | Total Savings |
| Internet 25 | $49.99/mo. | $69.99/mo. | 40% | $60.00 |
| Internet 50 | $69.99/mo. | $99.99/mo. | 43% | $90.00 |
| Internet 75 | $99.99/mo. | $149.99/mo. | 50% | $150.00 |
| Internet 100 | $149.99/mo. | $199.99/mo. | 33% | $150.00 |
| Internet 150 | $199.99/mo. | $299.99/mo. | 50% | $300.00 |
It can be confusing to navigate through Starlink internet plans because, unlike Viasat, there are several options on the table. Starlink offers dedicated satellite internet service to 4 types of customers. The Standard plans are most apt for homeowners as they are the lowest-priced plans in the Starlink product range.
Generally, all Starlink internet plans come with a monthly data cap of 1 TB, download speeds of at least 50 Mbps, and low latency of less than 90 ms. Customers can purchase additional data up to 6 TB on Priority plans for an extra price of $250 per month, per TB.
Unlike Viasat Internet, Starlink’s flat high-performance hardware (costs $2,500) is designed to support portability and mobility, allowing you to use the satellite internet service in motion. You can use the service on land or in the middle of an ocean to connect to the world beyond.
| Starlink Internet Plans | ||||
| Features | Standard | Priority | Mobile | Mobile Priority |
| No. of Plans | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Starting Price | $90/mo. | $250/mo. | $150/mo. | $250/mo. |
| Download Speed | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 220 Mbps | Up to 50 Mbps | Up to 220 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | Up to 10 Mbps | Up to 25 Mbps | Up to 10 Mbps | Up to 25 Mbps |
| Latency | 25 – 60 ms | 25 – 60 ms | <90 ms | <90 ms |
| Data Caps | 1 TB | 1, 2, & 6 TB | 1 TB | 50 GB, 1 & 5 TB |
| Hardware Fee | $599 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Best For | Homes | Business | RVs, Campers | Maritime |
Equipment costs form a big chunk of the add-on expenses for a satellite internet service. Think of it like this. You are financing a robust and wireless internet infrastructure for your fixed or movable home (RV, yacht, or campervan). So, even though, at a glance, it may seem like an exorbitant one-time investment, with time, the value offered by the advanced technology will make the out-of-pocket expense worth it.
In the case of Viasat internet service, first-time customers get a professional installation fee waiver. Customers can either purchase the equipment (dish antenna, transceiver, modem, and cables) for $299.99 or lease it from Viasat for $9.99 per month. All the leased equipment must be returned to Viasat within 30 days of service cancellation to avoid incurring an unreturned equipment fee.
Similarly, you can avoid paying a late payment fee and an early termination fee by paying your bills before the due date and adhering to the terms of a 24-month contract.
| Additional Costs Associated with Viasat Internet | |
| Add-On Services | Extra Charges |
| Professional Installation Fee | $99.99 (one-time) |
| Equipment Rental | $9.99/mo. |
| Equipment One-Off Fee | $299.99 (one-time) |
| Late Payment Fee | $5.00/mo. |
| Bill Payment Over Call (Assistance Fee) | $5.00 (one-time) |
| Early Termination Fee | $15.00/mo. (for every remaining month) |
| Unreturned Equipment Fee | $150.00 (one-time) |
| Taxes and Surcharges | Up to $5.00/mo. |
Starlink customers pay a premium price for state-of-the-art equipment. Starlink’s standard self-installation kit (costs $599) contains a phased array antenna that needs to be mounted on a base and connected to a WiFi router via cables. The hardware is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
Starlink also provides flat and propped high-performance antennas for $2,500 to optimize speeds and support mobility. All customers are charged a standard shipping fee of $50 and taxes of up to $180 upon online order placements.
Overall, Starlink’s recurring add-on charges are minimal to nil if your monthly data usage is well below the 1 TB mark.
| Additional Costs Associated with Starlink Internet | |
| Add-On Services | Extra Charges |
| Standard Hardware Fee | $599.00 (one-time) |
| High-Performance Hardware Fee | $2,500.00 (one-time) |
| Priority Data Purchase | $250.00/mo. per TB |
| Mobile Priority Data Purchase | $1,000.00/mo. per TB |
| Equipment Shipping and Handling Fee | $50.00 (one-time) |
| Taxes and Surcharges | Up to $180.00 (one-time) |
You can receive up to 500 GB of high-speed data on Viasat internet plans. But after exceeding your specified data limits, the download speed will be reduced to 5 Mbps and the upload speed to 1 Mbps until the next billing cycle. Instead of charging extra for data overage or halting the service temporarily, Viasat implements the policy of deprioritization to guarantee a fair distribution of data during network congestions. In other words, your unlimited standard data service will be pushed behind high-priority data customers (those yet to surpass their monthly data caps) at peak hours.
In contrast, Starlink subscribers can enjoy 1 TB or 1,000 GB of priority data on most plans. The average speed of Starlink’s priority data is 220 Mbps on the downstream and 10 Mbps on the upstream. 1 TB of data in a month is sufficient for most data-intensive online activities. However, if users think it is insufficient, then they can buy more ‘priority’ data in 2 TB and 6 TB blocks for an extra $250 per month, per TB.
Starlink believes that annual contracts limit the providers’ and customers’ ability to make sensible decisions when needed. Contract-based internet providers do not allow customers to change plans or cancel the service when it fails to meet their needs. Likewise, it gives Starlink the added advantage to increase prices or tweak the terms of service without the threat of civil litigation. Starlink’s month-to-month satellite internet service also includes a free 30-day trial. You can claim a full refund within the first 30 days if the service proves to be unsatisfactory.
However, the story is quite different for Viasat customers. They cannot enroll in their chosen plan unless they sign a 2-year contract. But like every well-built system in this country, Viasat’s 24-month agreement rule, too, has a loophole. Upon subscription, you can pay a $300 No-Long Contract Fee and shred the contract for some extra paper mache.
Viasat’s legally-bound customers will be fined $15 per month (for the remaining months of the contract) for canceling the service before the contract expiration date. So, Viasat satellite internet is not for frequent movers or hasty decision-makers.
Get a cost-saving triple-play satellite service in the comfort of your home. Marketing surveys have shown that internet, TV, and phone bundle deals are a great way to save money on monthly bills. By bundling the services together, customers can often get a discount on each service. Additionally, bundle deals often come with extra perks, such as free streaming services or premium channels.
So, let’s explore what Viasat and Starlink offer in their bundle baskets.
You can combine your Viasat home internet service with a Viasat home phone line to enjoy free unlimited long-distance calling anywhere within the continental USA and Canada. New customers can save up to $110 in the first 3 months by subscribing to the Viasat Internet service and Voice line at discounted rates. The regular price of a Vaisat Voice line is $29.99 per month, but when you bundle it with a Viasat Internet plan, the price drops to $19.99 per month, resulting in $10 savings each month.
The Viasat home phone service includes all the advanced calling features, like caller ID, call blocking, voicemail, and call forwarding. You can also make international calls to any country at standard calling rates, starting as low as $0.01 per minute.
| Viasat Internet & Voice Bundles | |||
| Bundled Price | Viasat Internet | Viasat Voice | Total Savings |
| $69.98/mo. | Choice 25 | Unlimited, nationwide | $30.00/mo. |
| $89.98/mo. | Choice 50 | Unlimited, nationwide | $40.00/mo. |
| $119.98/mo. | Choice 75 | Unlimited, nationwide | $60.00/mo. |
| $169.98/mo. | Choice 100 | Unlimited, nationwide | $60.00/mo. |
| $219.98/mo. | Choice 150 | Unlimited, nationwide | $110.00/mo. |
Viasat and DISH TV Network partnership offers a holistic satellite-powered home connectivity package to thousands of underserved Americans. Satellite TV and internet services complement each other and allow customers to enjoy the best of both; broadcast TV and streaming platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
The DISH TV packages start at $79.99 per month and include up to 290 TV channels, 80,000 on-demand titles, and free access to premium channels for 3 months.
| Viasat Internet and DISH TV Bundles | ||
| Bundled Price | Viasat Internet | DISH TV |
| $129.98/mo. | Choice 25 | America’s Top 120 |
| $144.98/mo. | Choice 25 | America’s Top 120+ |
| $149.98/mo. | Choice 25 | America’s Top 200 |
| $159.98/mo. | Choice 25 | America’s Top 250 |
By stacking a Viasat EasyCare assistance plan on top of their internet service, customers can save up to $300 in the first 3 months. Viasat EasyCare is a priority customer support service for Viasat Internet customers. For only $9.99 per month, Viasat Internet subscribers get free dedicated tech support over calls and discounted equipment relocation every year. Normally, Viasat charges its customers a flat fee of $200 for moving the dish antenna to another spot, but with the EasyCare protection plan, they are only required to pay the technician $95 per visit.
Also, Viasat customers pay a $5 assistance fee whenever they call tech support to troubleshoot their problems. But after bundling the EasyCare service with the internet, all those calls become free.
| Viasat Internet and EasyCare Bundles | |||
| Bundled Price | Viasat Internet | EasyCare | Total Savings |
| $59.98/mo. | Choice 25 | Priority customer support | $220.00/mo. |
| $79.98/mo. | Choice 50 | Priority customer support | $230.00/mo. |
| $109.98/mo. | Choice 75 | Priority customer support | $250.00/mo. |
| $159.98/mo. | Choice 100 | Priority customer support | $250.00/mo. |
| $209.98/mo. | Choice 150 | Priority customer support | $300.00/mo. |
Sadly, Starlink customers will never know what it is like to get more for less. Starlink is a standalone satellite internet service. Therefore, it does not offer any supersaver bundle deals.
(In whispers) Listen, gamer boys and gals. We see you. We know you are stuck at a boring vacation stay with your annoying family and cannot wait to be back in your dark den to ‘Destroy the World’. But it does not have to be this way. Online gaming, in all its glory, is now easier than ever at off-grid locations thanks to the Starlink satellite internet service. Starlink’s average download speed of over 100, a medium upload speed of 10 Mbps, and low latency of less than 60 ms make it suitable for most real-time strategy, role-play, and multiplayer games. Starlink constellation’s short distance from Earth reduces ping and lag time, resulting in smooth gameplay for most hobby gamers.
However, Starlink internet’s performance will falter for some high-graphic, massively multiplayer games, like Fortnight and PUBG, and first-person shooter games, causing screen freezes and delayed response.
Overall, Starlink Internet is the best satellite internet service for gaming and fares well for the following categories of online games.
| Category | Rating | Score | Devices |
| Real-time Strategy (RTS) | Great | 7/10 | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
| Role-playing Games (RPG) | Great | 7/10 | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
| Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMO) | Good | 6/10 | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
| Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) | Fair | 5/10 | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
| First-Person Shooter (FPS) | Poor | 4/10 | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
Viasat’s gaming capabilities are limited to simple role-playing, tactics, puzzles, and adventure games, like Angry Birds, Candy Crush, Farmville, and Call of Duty Mobile. The ultra-high latency of Viasat Internet, averaging 600 ms, makes the service unsuitable for competitive gaming. Even though most Viasat customers prefer to use their smartphones for video gaming, the internet connection is compatible with other devices like Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PCs.
We believe that customer satisfaction is a subjective attribute. Even though we can formulate patterns and assign ratings based on the experiences of a majority of the consumers, at a deeper level, it varies from individual to individual. E.g., introverts will prefer the self-serve mode of Starlink Internet. You place the order online, get the equipment shipped to your home, self-install it and continue to live like a techie sage up in the mountains.
Your contact with humans will be solely from behind a digital veil. Starlink’s customer service is 100 percent online through the web and mobile applications.The downside of ‘faceless’ customer service is that it fails to build trust and sort the matters immediately.
But overall, because of its newness, decent speeds, global reach, and celebrity status (the Elon Musk mania), Starlink has an above-average customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Viasat is vividly visible (alliteration never gets old). It has corporate offices in 23 U.S. metros, apart from its headquarters in Carlsbad, California.
Unfortunately, humans take good things for granted. So, even though Viasat has proven to be a customer-first service provider, its ratings are down to 3.1 out of 5 because of contracts, slow speeds, and network reliability.
Satellite internet service was engineered to fill the gaps in digital connectivity left behind by terrestrial wired and unwired internet services. It was introduced with the promise of connecting underserved and remote communities in America. Viasat is living up to its promises by offering uninterrupted internet access in all 50 states of the USA. Survey results show that as many as 327 million Americans can connect to the Viasat satellite internet service from the contiguous USA, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. However, it is reported that Viasat internet service peaks in California, Texas, and Florida, primarily due to the warm weather and a clear view of the southern sky.
The availability of Viasat internet service is more than 95 percent in the following 5 metro areas.
| 5 Best Cities for Viasat Satellite Internet Service | |||
| City | State | Availability | Pop. Covered |
| Brooklyn | New York | 99.7% | 2,569,860 |
| Houston | Texas | 99.3% | 2,272,542 |
| Miami | Florida | 99.2% | 436,371 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 99.0% | 2,702,124 |
| San Antonio | Texas | 98.9% | 1,463,219 |
In comparison, the coverage area of Starlink satellite internet is limited to 75 percent of the country. Around 23 states are yet to be added to Starlink’s list of service areas. Most of the cities and towns in the southeast and south-central regions of the USA are on the waitlist, while parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Mexico have been promised service by the end of this year.
It is important to note that Starlink first ensured satellite broadband access in the unconnected parts of the country, like Alaska, Montana, Nevada, and Vermont. It is gradually rising to the challenge in the heavily concentrated markets, like Maryland, Delaware, and New York, to compete against the prominent fiber-optic, cable, DSL, and fixed wireless internet providers.
The following are the 27 states where you are most likely to get the Starlink internet service.
| All the States where Starlink is Available | |||||||||||
| Alaska | Idaho | Nebraska | Oregon | ||||||||
| Arizona | Iowa | Nevada | Pennsylvania | ||||||||
| California | Maine | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | ||||||||
| Colorado | Massachusetts | New Jersey | South Dakota | ||||||||
| Connecticut | Minnesota | New York | Utah | ||||||||
| Hawaii | Montana | North Dakota | Vermont | ||||||||
| Washington | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||||||||
The following 5 cities are lauded for receiving an extraordinary, 100 percent coverage of Starlink Internet.
| 5 Best Cities for Starlink Satellite Internet Service | |||
| City | State | Availability | Pop. Covered |
| Brooklyn | New York | 100.0% | 2,577,593 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 100.0% | 2,729,418 |
| Houston | Texas | 100.0% | 2,288,562 |
| Los Angeles | California | 100.0% | 3,849,924 |
| Miami | Florida | 100.0% | 439,890 |
It must be noted that Starlink’s global footprint includes at least 50 countries, spread across the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
The choice between Viasat vs. Starlink boils down to old vs. new, innovative vs. established, and trusted vs. trial. We believe that Starlink and Viasat are targeted toward different demographics. An old cottage in the middle of nowhere (Imagine the opening scene from the cartoon Courage the Cowardly Dog) with seniors as its inhabitants most likely qualifies for the Viasat satellite internet. The Luddites will like the convenience of ordering the service on call, letting a technician handle the complex installation process, and paying a decent fee for their low-to-moderate internet usage for basic online activities.
On the other hand, Starlink is all about the young and trendy. It has instantly created a buzz with tech-savvy explorers and adventurers. Its sleek and high-tech equipment promises faster speeds, lower latencies, and connectivity on the go. Starlink markets itself as a premium service (starting at $689 with the hardware) for the trailblazers. Because wherever they go, Starlink follows.
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