Are you located in a rural area and are struggling to choose the right satellite internet service you can get for your residence? There are many options, but there are some services worth looking into. You've probably heard about Viasat, an established ISP available virtually everywhere within the US. Yet, Starlink, an upcoming satellite company currently in beta testing, is also getting noticed in the internet sector.
In this review, we examine Viasat and Starlink internet plans and perks to help you determine which one is best for you. Before you sign up, be certain to verify that both services are available in your region with our search engine for zip codes.
We've conducted extensive research on Viasat and Starlink offer services. Provide so that you can quickly identify which service ticks off your boxes. For starters, here's a list of all plans for internet currently offered by both. Because Starlink has only recently released its beta test, customers must choose one plan.
Unlimited Bronze 12 12 Mbps $49.99/mo.
Unlimited Silver 25 25 Mbps $69.99/mo.
Unlimited Silver 50 50 Mbps $99.99/mo.
Unlimited Silver 100 100 Mbps $149.99/mo.
Starlink Internet Plan Download Speed Up To * Staring Price*
Starlink Beta 150 Mbps $99.00/mo.
Viasat offers lower prices on its initial plans that are great for those on a budget, while Starlink provides faster speeds for its single-plan. Find out how these two satellite companies stack up in other internet features below.
Viasat has a one-time cost of $99 for professional installation of a home, and equipment rentals are $10.00 monthly. The setup of Starlink is less appealing. While customers don't have to purchase their installation, it's the only option available. There are no techs available to assist you in person. The initial cost for Starlink Kit is $499. Starlink Kit is also extremely high compared to Viasat and other products on the market. The Price starts at $499.
Since Starlink offers its Beta services to households from certain areas of the US, The options are limited. Therefore, we didn't see any information about future pricing plans on the website. At present, they provide the same flat Price as satellite internet. In addition, Viasat increases the introductory monthly Price of their internet plans by $50.00 following the first 3 months. The Price is fixed for the entire length of your contract.
However, Starlink doesn't offer additional services like WiFi hotspots or internet security. But, Viasat offers two internet security tools: Viasat Shield and Viasat Shield Premium. Viasat Shield is available in any internet plan, and Viasat Shield Premium is developed in collaboration with Bitdefender provides security and cybersecurity for devices and home networks. Viasat costs $8.99 each month to subscribe to Viasat Shield Premium.
Both companies offer unlimited data with their services. But, the service appears different for each of the providers. Starlink operates in beta and says it doesn't have limits on data usage, but when it begins adding more customers and customers, it's hard to predict what they'll do if Starlink's network expands. Viasat says in their plans in detail that, after a specific number of days of using data (which differs per plan), after which they "may prioritize your data in comparison to other customers in times of network congestion that can cause slower speeds."
Viasat requires a 24-month service agreement for all Internet plans. If you decide to end your service before your contract expires, you'll receive a charge of $15 each month. However, Starlink does not require contracts, which means you can end your subscription at any time. Plus, they provide the full reimbursement of the hardware purchase if they receive your Starlink Kit within 30 days after the date.
The two service providers are Viasat and Starlink. Viasat has the lowest-priced beginning plan. Starlink, however, Starlink offers faster speeds that could be more important to you.
Unlimited Bronze 12 12 Mbps $49.99/mo. No Yes
Starlink Beta 150 Mbps $99.00/mo. No No
Most of the time, you think satellite internet is everywhere. However, as we've mentioned earlier, Starlink is still a relatively new service. They offer service to a few regions in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont. Additionally, Starlink needs a wide view angle to follow the satellite's movements over the sky. It requires a wide-open area to work in, and many homes don't have one. Customers must also set up their Starlink kit by themselves; however, it could change in the road as Starlink is made more accessible.
Comparatively, Viasat is accessible almost everywhere within the continental United States. Of course, satellite internet is ideal for homes in rural and less-served areas, where ground internet is more difficult to establish. Viasat customers don't require the same angle to check for its dish and can provide professional installation instead of Starlink.
The best method to ensure service is to first check the availability of your particular address.
Overall it's evident who is the winner in this competition. Although Starlink has more speed, its services are very infrequent and inconsistent. On the other hand, Viasat is a reputable satellite internet service that provides a greater variety of plans, pricing, and availability. However, let's look at certain aspects that may influence you in one direction either way.
Of the two options, the budget-conscious can benefit from the cost-effectiveness of Viasat web. But, Starlink offers one flat cost with no increase in price; however, its high fees for equipment, which are $499, is an enormous hurdle for most customers.
Starlink's internet speed has taken the lead in this area because of its greater capacity. Customers have been raving about its low latency and the unlimited amount of bandwidth that supports video streaming as well as gaming. However, due to the limited supply, Starlink is also a bit inconsistent compared to Viasat. Starlink also provides unlimited data, placing them on an equal playing field.
This was a complete waste of time. It is available almost everywhere within America, US, Viasat is the more reliable option. Starlink indeed has many potentials, but it's still not quite making an impact in the satellite market since it's only available within 11 states.