Starlink vs Viasat: which satellite internet actually wins?
A straight comparison of speed, latency, pricing, data limits, and install experience — so you can pick the right satellite internet for your home, RV, or business without wading through marketing.
The short answer
For almost every home, RV, and small business use case in 2026, Starlink wins. It's 3–10× faster than Viasat, has roughly 20× lower latency, and its standard residential plan has no data cap. Viasat still holds niches in aviation and specific fixed-enterprise contracts, but for real people trying to work, stream, and video-call from home, Starlink is the clear choice.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | Starlink | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | 100–250 Mbps typical | 12–100 Mbps typical |
| Upload speed | 10–20 Mbps | 3–5 Mbps |
| Latency | 25–50 ms (LEO) | 600–800 ms (GEO) |
| Video calls / gaming | Works well | Poor — high lag |
| Data cap (residential) | No cap on standard plan | Deprioritization after threshold |
| Monthly price | $120 (Residential) | $99.99–$299.99 |
| Hardware | $349 one-time purchase | Leased modem, monthly fee |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Often 24-month term |
| Availability | Nearly worldwide | US-focused |
| Install | Self or pro (roof/mast) | Pro install required |
Speed and latency
Starlink orbits at roughly 340 miles up. Viasat's satellites sit around 22,000 miles up in geostationary orbit. That distance is why Viasat latency hovers around 600–800 ms — nearly a full second before your click reaches the internet. Starlink's low-Earth-orbit constellation delivers 25–50 ms in most locations, comparable to cable.
In real-world tests across our install base, Starlink Residential averages 150–200 Mbps down. Viasat Unleashed users typically see 30–80 Mbps depending on beam congestion.
Cost of ownership
Starlink Residential is $120/month with a $349 dish. Over 24 months that's $3,229 all-in. Viasat's popular Unleashed 100 plan is $149.99/month with a leased modem fee, working out to roughly $3,600 over the same window — and you don't own the hardware at the end.
Add in the fact that Viasat contracts typically lock you in for 24 months while Starlink is month-to-month, and the flexibility strongly favors Starlink.
Installation experience
Viasat requires a certified installer to bolt a dish to your roof and run coax to their proprietary modem. Starlink ships as a self-install kit — but "self-install" and "installed correctly" are not the same thing. Poor cable routing, no grounding, and a tree-obstructed sightline are the top reasons Starlink users report speeds far below spec.
That's the gap InstallPros fills: professional mast or roof mount, weatherproof cable entry, mesh Wi-Fi that actually covers the whole house, and a final speed test before we leave. Fixed written quote after a virtual site survey.
Coverage and mobility
Starlink is available across nearly the entire US and most of the world, with plans for RVs, boats, aviation, and enterprise sites. Viasat's residential footprint is US-focused with a heavier presence in truly remote rural areas that Starlink hasn't fully saturated.
For mobile use — RVs, marine, fleets — Starlink's Roam plan has essentially no equivalent on Viasat's residential side.
When Viasat still makes sense
Viasat isn't going away. It still wins specific enterprise contracts, in-flight Wi-Fi partnerships, and locations where Starlink cells are temporarily congested. If you already have a Viasat contract and it's meeting your needs, there's no urgency to switch.
For anyone signing a new residential or small business contract in 2026, though, Starlink is the default recommendation.
Winner for most users
Starlink
Faster, lower latency, no data caps on standard plans, month-to-month billing, and works globally.
Runner-up
Viasat
Still viable for specific enterprise, aviation, and legacy contracts — but outclassed for typical home use.
Frequently asked questions
Is Starlink faster than Viasat?+
Yes. Starlink typically delivers 100–250 Mbps download with 25–50 ms latency, while Viasat plans generally deliver 12–100 Mbps with 600+ ms latency due to its geostationary orbit. For anything real-time — video calls, gaming, VoIP, cloud apps — Starlink is dramatically faster in practice.
How much does Starlink cost vs Viasat?+
Starlink Residential is $120/month with a one-time $349 hardware fee. Viasat Unleashed plans start around $99.99/month with a leased modem. Starlink usually costs less over 24 months because there are no data caps or throttling on the standard plan.
Can I install Starlink myself, or should I hire a pro?+
The dish is designed for self-install, but roof mounts, cable routing, grounding, weatherproofing, and mesh Wi-Fi setup are where DIY installs go sideways. InstallPros handles the whole thing — from site survey to final speed test — with a fixed written quote.
Does Viasat work better in bad weather than Starlink?+
No. Both satellite systems can be affected by heavy rain or snow (rain fade), but Starlink's low-Earth-orbit constellation means shorter signal paths and quicker recovery. Proper dish placement — done during a professional install — is the biggest factor in weather reliability.
Is Viasat still worth it in 2026?+
For most rural households and businesses, no. Starlink outperforms Viasat on speed, latency, and data allowances. Viasat can still make sense in specific enterprise or aviation contracts, but for standard home and small business use, Starlink is the clear upgrade.
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Disclaimer: installpros.io is an independent entity and is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Starlink, SpaceX, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. The official websites for Starlink and SpaceX can be found at www.starlink.com and www.spacex.com respectively. The names "Starlink" and "SpaceX" as well as related names, marks, emblems, and images are registered trademarks of their respective owners.