Starlink Plans and Pricing 2026: Every Plan, Cost, and Hidden Fee

Key Takeaway

Starlink’s core US plans range from $80/mo (Residential Lite, 100 Mbps) to $250/mo (Business, 220 Mbps), with no data caps and no contract on any plan. Equipment costs $349 for the Standard dish or $249 for the Mini. A limited-time $39/mo promo is available through March 2026. Over 24 months, Starlink costs more than HughesNet but delivers 2-4x the speed with dramatically lower latency.

Every Starlink Plan (March 2026)

Residential Plans

These are the core home internet plans available at a fixed address in the US.

Plan	Monthly Price	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Priority Data	Best For
Residential Lite	$80/mo	Up to 100 Mbps	Up to 10 Mbps	Standard	Budget-conscious, light use
Residential	$120/mo	Up to 200 Mbps	Up to 15 Mbps	Standard	Most households

Both residential plans include unlimited data with no hard caps or throttling. The Residential plan receives higher network priority than Lite during peak congestion, which means more consistent speeds during evening hours.

Mobile Plans

For portable use - RVs, boats, travel, and off-grid locations.

Plan	Monthly Price	Download Speed	Data	Coverage	In-Motion
Roam	$165/mo	Up to 100 Mbps	Unlimited	Single continent	Yes, up to 100 MPH

The Roam plan works anywhere within your service continent where Starlink is licensed. It supports in-motion use, making it suitable for RVs and boats. The Roam plan is designed for the Starlink Mini ($249) but also works with the Standard dish.

Business Plans

For commercial customers needing higher priority and dedicated support.

Plan	Monthly Price	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Features
Business	$250/mo	Up to 220 Mbps	Up to 25 Mbps	Priority data, static IP available
Enterprise	Custom pricing	200-500 Mbps	-	10TB-200TB annual pools, multi-device

The Business plan includes higher network priority than residential tiers, meaning speeds are maintained even during congestion. Enterprise plans are negotiated directly with SpaceX and designed for multi-site deployments.

Special Plans

Plan	Monthly Price	Purpose
Standby Mode	$5/mo	Pause service while keeping account active. Minimal connectivity for health checks.

Standby Mode, introduced in 2026, is useful for seasonal properties, vacation homes, or temporary pauses. You can switch between Standby and full service through the Starlink app.

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The $39/mo March 2026 Promotion

In March 2026, Starlink introduced a promotional rate of $39/mo for the first six months on the Residential Lite plan. Key details:

• Available in select areas (primarily low-congestion zones)
• Applies to new subscribers only
• After 6 months, price reverts to the standard $80/mo Residential Lite rate
• Equipment cost ($349 Standard or $249 Mini) is still required upfront
• No contract - you can cancel before the promotional period ends

This is Starlink’s most aggressive consumer pricing to date. In select low-congestion areas, Starlink has also reduced equipment costs - the Standard Kit has been offered for as low as $89 in some regions.

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Equipment Costs

Hardware Options

Hardware	Price	Dimensions	Weight	Power Draw	Best For
Standard Kit	$349	20.2” x 12” (dish)	~9.2 lbs	75-100W	Home residential
Mini Kit	$249	11.4” x 9.8”	2.56 lbs	40-75W	Travel, portable use
Flat High Performance	$2,500	22.5” x 20.5”	~16 lbs	110-150W	Business, marine

The Mini is available for $199 for new Roam subscribers as part of a current promotion.

What Is Included in the Standard Kit

• Starlink phased-array dish with integrated motor
• Wi-Fi 6 router
• Power supply
• 75-foot proprietary cable
• Ground-level tripod mount
• Quick start guide

Accessories You May Need

Accessory	Price
Roof mount or pole adapter	$35-$65
Extended cable (150 ft)	$35
Mesh router node	$130 (free with Residential plan)
Ethernet adapter	$25
Pipe adapter (pole mounting)	$25

These costs add up. A typical residential installation with a roof mount and Ethernet adapter adds $60-$90 beyond the base equipment cost. The mesh router node is included free with the Residential plan but costs $130 on the Lite plan.

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International Pricing

Starlink pricing varies significantly by country. Here is what Starlink costs in major international markets:

Country	Monthly Price	Local Currency	Equipment	Notes
United States	$80-$120	USD	$349	Lite and Residential tiers
United Kingdom	~$44-$94	From £35/mo to £75/mo	Varies	100 Mbps to Max tier
Australia	~$44-$89	From A$69/mo to A$139/mo	Varies	100 Mbps to Max tier
Germany	~$31-$54	From EUR29/mo to EUR50/mo	Varies	Lite and residential
Canada	~$101	CA$140/mo	Varies	Single residential tier
Brazil	~$49	R$250/mo	Varies	Single residential tier
Japan	~$44	JPY6,600/mo	Varies	Single residential tier
France	~$31-$43	From EUR29/mo to EUR40/mo	Varies	Lite and residential
Nigeria	~$24	NGN38,000/mo	Varies	Single residential tier

Several patterns stand out. European pricing is generally lower than US pricing, with Germany and France offering Lite plans starting at EUR29/mo (roughly $31). Developing markets like Nigeria have lower absolute prices but higher prices relative to local income. Canada has among the highest pricing globally at CA$140/mo.

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Total Cost of Ownership: Starlink vs. HughesNet vs. Viasat

The monthly price only tells part of the story. Here is the full cost comparison over 24 months, including equipment, lease fees, and service.

Starlink Residential Lite vs. HughesNet Select vs. Viasat Essential

Cost Category	Starlink Lite	HughesNet Select	Viasat Essential
Equipment	$349 (one-time)	$0 (lease)	$0 (lease)
Monthly service	$80/mo	$50/mo	$70/mo
Equipment lease fee	$0/mo	$15/mo	$15/mo
24-month service total	$1,920	$1,200	$1,680
24-month lease total	$0	$360	$360
Total (24 months)	$2,269	$1,560	$2,040

What the Numbers Mean

Starlink Residential Lite costs about $709 more than HughesNet Select over 24 months. In exchange, you get:

• 100 Mbps vs. 50 Mbps download speed
• 20-40 ms latency vs. 600-800 ms latency
• No data cap vs. 100 GB priority data
• No contract vs. 24-month contract with early termination fee
• Self-installation vs. professional installation required

For most users, the performance difference justifies the cost premium. But if budget is the primary concern, HughesNet at $1,560 over 24 months is $709 cheaper.

Starlink Residential vs. Viasat Unleashed

Metric	Starlink Residential	Viasat Unleashed
24-month total	$3,229	$3,240
Download speed	Up to 200 Mbps	Up to 150 Mbps
Latency	20-40 ms	500-700 ms
Data cap	None	Soft cap at 850 GB
Contract	None	None

Starlink Residential and Viasat Unleashed cost nearly the same over 24 months, but Starlink delivers faster speeds and dramatically lower latency. The only scenario where Viasat Unleashed makes sense over Starlink Residential is if you cannot get Starlink in your area or if you specifically want to avoid an upfront equipment purchase.

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Historical Starlink Price Changes

Starlink pricing has been a moving target since launch. Here is how it has evolved:

Date	Change
Oct 2020	Beta launch at $99/mo + $499 equipment
Mar 2022	Price increased to $110/mo. Equipment dropped to $599
Jun 2023	Residential dropped to $90/mo in select areas
Dec 2023	Equipment price reduced to $499
Mar 2024	Equipment reduced to $349 (Standard). Mini introduced at $249
Nov 2024	Tiered residential plans introduced ($50/$80/$120)
Jan 2026	$50 tier limited to select low-congestion areas only
Mar 2026	$39/mo promotional rate for new Lite subscribers

The overall trend is toward lower prices and more plan options. The introduction of the Lite tier at $80/mo and the $39 promotional rate show Starlink becoming more price-competitive, likely in anticipation of Amazon Leo entering the consumer market.

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Hidden Costs and Considerations

Taxes and Fees

Starlink charges applicable state and local taxes on top of the listed monthly price. Depending on your location, this can add $5-$15/mo. There is no universal service fund fee, but some states classify satellite internet as a taxable telecommunications service.

Shipping

Equipment shipping is included in the purchase price for most US locations. International shipping costs vary.

Installation

Starlink is self-installed, so there is no installation fee. However, SpaceX offers professional installation for $199 in select areas if you want a roof mount done by a technician. Third-party installers typically charge $100-$300 depending on complexity.

Regional Congestion Surcharges

In high-demand areas, Starlink has added a congestion surcharge of up to $500 to the equipment price. This is not common, but it has been reported in dense suburban areas. In low-congestion areas, the opposite applies - equipment has been discounted to as low as $89.

No Phone Support

This is not a financial cost, but it is worth noting: Starlink has no phone support. All customer service is handled through the Starlink app’s ticket system. If something goes wrong with your equipment or service, you will be troubleshooting via text-based support with response times ranging from hours to days.

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Which Plan Should You Choose?

Residential Lite ($80/mo) is the right choice if you are a light-to-moderate internet user. Browsing, streaming on 1-2 devices, and occasional video calls all work fine at 100 Mbps. This plan has lower network priority than Residential, so expect slower speeds during peak evening hours.

Residential ($120/mo) is the best value for most households. At 200 Mbps with higher network priority, it handles 4K streaming on multiple devices, gaming, remote work, and large downloads without issue. The free mesh router node is a nice bonus.

Roam ($165/mo) is for travelers and mobile users. If you live in an RV, boat, or travel frequently, Roam provides unlimited portable connectivity across your continent with in-motion support.

Business ($250/mo) is for small businesses that need consistent speeds during working hours. The higher network priority means your connection is less affected by residential congestion. Static IP is available as an add-on.

FAQ

What is the cheapest Starlink plan in 2026?

The cheapest standard Starlink plan is Residential Lite at $80/mo. In March 2026, a promotional rate of $39/mo is available for the first six months on the Lite plan in select areas. Equipment costs $349 (Standard) or $249 (Mini). There is no contract, so you can cancel at any time without penalty.

Is Starlink worth the price over HughesNet?

For most users, yes. Starlink costs approximately $709 more than HughesNet Select over 24 months ($2,269 vs. $1,560), but delivers 2x the download speed, dramatically lower latency (20-40 ms vs. 600-800 ms), no data caps, and no contract. If you need internet for gaming, video calls, or remote work, Starlink is the only satellite option that works well for those uses.

Does Starlink have hidden fees?

Starlink charges state and local taxes ($5-$15/mo depending on location) on top of the advertised monthly price. You may also need accessories like a roof mount ($35-$65), Ethernet adapter ($25), or mesh node ($130, free with Residential plan). There is no installation fee, contract, or early termination penalty. In high-demand areas, a congestion surcharge of up to $500 may be added to equipment cost.

How does Starlink pricing vary by country?

Starlink pricing varies significantly by market. The US Residential Lite plan is $80/mo, but equivalent plans start at EUR29/mo ($31) in Germany and France, £35/mo ($44) in the UK, and A$69/mo ($44) in Australia. Canada has among the highest prices at CA$140/mo ($101). Equipment pricing also varies regionally.

Can I switch Starlink plans without a penalty?

Yes. Starlink has no contract on any consumer plan. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time through the Starlink app. Plan changes typically take effect at the start of your next billing cycle. You can also switch between Residential and Roam plans if your needs change. Standby Mode ($5/mo) lets you pause service while keeping your account active.