Head-to-Head Comparison
Starlink vs Viasat
Side-by-side comparison of speeds, latency, pricing, coverage, and hardware - updated 2026-03-28.
Data sourced from FCC filings, official specs, and independent speed tests.
The Verdict
Starlink wins for most users with faster speeds (100-400 Mbps vs 25-150 Mbps) and lower latency (20-60ms vs 500-700ms).
Winner for most users
Starlink
High-speed, low-latency broadband from LEO
Max Speed
400 Mbps
Latency
20-60ms
From
$50-$250/mo
Satellites
10,139
Satellite internet for home and business
Max Speed
150 Mbps
Latency
500-700ms
From
$69.99-$99.99/mo
Satellites
4
Starlink vs Viasat - Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | Starlink | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 100-400 Mbps Winner | 25-150 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 10-40 Mbps Winner | 3-10 Mbps |
| Latency Lower is better | 20-60ms Winner | 500-700ms |
| Starting Price Lower is better | $50-$250/mo Winner | $69.99-$99.99/mo |
| Data Caps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Equipment Cost Lower is better | $349 Winner | TBD |
| Installation | Self-install Winner | Professional required |
| Portable | Yes Winner | No |
| Orbit Type | LEO | GEO |
| Constellation | 10,139 in orbit / 19,400 planned Winner | 4 in orbit / 4 planned |
| Countries Available | 150+ countries Winner | 1 country |
| Status | Available now | Available now |
Speed Comparison - Starlink vs Viasat
Starlink offers faster download speeds at 100-400 Mbps compared to Viasat's 25-150 Mbps. That is up to 2.7x faster at the high end.
Upload speeds: Starlink 10-40 Mbps vs Viasat 3-10 Mbps. Speeds are advertised ranges and vary by location, time of day, and congestion.
Latency Comparison - Starlink vs Viasat
Starlink has significantly lower latency at 20-60ms vs Viasat's 500-700ms - roughly 15x lower. This is primarily due to LEO vs GEO orbit differences. Viasat's high latency makes real-time activities like gaming and video calls noticeably laggy.
Lower latency is better. Under 80ms is good for gaming. Under 300ms works for video calls. GEO satellites (35,786 km) have 600ms+ latency due to signal travel time. LEO satellites (550 km) achieve 20-60ms.
Pricing Comparison - Starlink vs Viasat
Starlink is more affordable, starting at $50/mo vs Viasat's $69.99/mo - a $19.989999999999995/mo difference. Over a year, that is $239.87999999999994 in savings. However, Starlink requires a $349 upfront equipment purchase.
Starlink Plans
One-time cost for standard dish ($349); Starlink Mini $249
Viasat Plans
Equipment lease $15/mo; 12-month contract on Essential plan
Coverage & Availability - Starlink vs Viasat
Starlink has broader availability with service in 150+ countries vs Viasat's 1. Available in 150+ countries across 6 continents. ~10,139 satellites in orbit. Direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile commercially live since July 2025. Deutsche Telekom partnership covers 10 EU countries (140M subscribers), service targeting 2028.
Showing featured countries on our site. Starlink operates in 150+ countries total.
Both available (1)
Starlink only (24)
Hardware & Installation - Starlink vs Viasat
Starlink offers self-installation while Viasat requires a professional installer.
Starlink
- Equipment
- $349
- Dish Type
- Phased-array flat antenna
- Installation
- Self-install
- Portable
- Yes
One-time cost for standard dish ($349); Starlink Mini $249
Viasat
- Equipment
- TBD
- Dish Type
- Parabolic dish antenna
- Installation
- Professional
- Portable
- No
Equipment lease $15/mo; 12-month contract on Essential plan
Pros & Cons
Starlink
Advantages
- + Lowest latency of any satellite provider (median 25-50ms)
- + No data caps on residential plans
- + Self-install portable dish - no technician needed
- + Largest constellation: 10,000+ active satellites
- + Available in 150+ countries
Limitations
- - Speeds vary by local congestion (100-400 Mbps typical)
- - Upfront equipment cost ($349 standard, $249 Mini)
- - Requires clear sky view - trees and obstructions degrade signal
- - Performance degrades during peak evening hours
Viasat
Advantages
- + No hard data caps on Unleashed plan
- + No long-term contract on Unleashed plan
- + ViaSat-3 F2 entering service May 2026 - expected to more than double bandwidth
- + Large fleet including Inmarsat for aviation/maritime
Limitations
- - High latency (500ms+) - GEO orbit limitation
- - Speeds throttled during peak congestion
- - ViaSat-3 F1 operating at reduced capacity due to antenna issue
- - Equipment lease fee ($15/mo) on top of service price
- - Professional installation required
Which Should You Choose? Starlink vs Viasat
Gaming
StarlinkStarlink's 20-60ms latency supports gaming. Viasat's 500-700ms is too high for real-time games.
Streaming
StarlinkStarlink's higher max speeds (100-400 Mbps) support more simultaneous streams, though Viasat (25-150 Mbps) also handles 4K fine.
Budget
StarlinkStarlink starts at $50/mo vs Viasat's $69.99/mo - 29% less per month.
Rural / Remote
StarlinkStarlink is available in 150+ countries vs Viasat's 1, offering broader rural coverage globally.
Business
StarlinkStarlink offers dedicated business plans. Viasat does not have specific business tiers.
Mobile / RV
StarlinkStarlink supports portable use - great for RVs, boats, and travel. Viasat requires a fixed installation.