Starlink vs Viasat is mostly a question of lag, data and paperwork. Starlink's low-orbit network suits video calls and gaming better, and every Residential plan has unlimited data.[1][2] Viasat publishes its prices up front, includes professional installation, and offers no-contract Unleashed plans, but adds a monthly equipment lease.[3]
Broadband Trail is an independent comparison service, not Starlink or Viasat. Starlink shows home prices only after you enter an address, so compare your own quotes. Use the ZIP lookup for an area shortlist, then confirm with each provider.
Lag is the biggest practical gap
Starlink satellites orbit about 550 km up; geostationary satellites like those most satellite services use sit 35,786 km away.[1] Viasat says its satellite latency is higher than cable or DSL, that fast multiplayer games tend not to work well, and that some VPNs may be slow or not work at all.[4]
That matters most for a remote worker on video calls or a VPN, and for gamers. If you mainly browse, stream shows and email, Viasat can do the job; the gap shows up in real-time use. Our rural gaming guide covers that case in more depth.
Price the matching tier on each side
Both companies now sell three home tiers, and both reserve their top priority for the most expensive one. Prices and terms below were read October 27, 2026.[3][2]
| Household | Starlink tier to price | Viasat plan to price |
|---|---|---|
| One or two light users | Residential 100 Mbps, select areas only.[2] | Essentials: $39.99 a month for 12 months, then $69.99, plus lease; 150 GB of High-Speed Data.[3] |
| Streaming family | Residential 200 Mbps, select areas only.[2] | Unleashed: $69.99 for 12 months, then $99.99, plus lease.[3] |
| Many devices, busy evenings | Residential Max, top Residential priority.[2] | Unleashed Max: $109.99 for 12 months, then $179.99, plus lease.[3] |
On speed, Starlink lists typical downloads of up to 400+ Mbps on Residential Max, with the other two tiers capped at 100 or 200 Mbps.[2] Viasat aims for a baseline of up to 80 Mbps on every plan, with short bursts up to 150, 180 or 200 Mbps depending on the plan.[3]
Data and priority rules
Starlink includes unlimited data on all Residential plans; the 100 and 200 Mbps tiers may slow at peak hours compared with Max.[2]
Viasat Essentials gives 150 GB of High-Speed Data, then unlimited Standard Data that may slow when the network is busy, and Essentials customers can buy a Data Boost.[3][5] Unleashed and Unleashed Max have unlimited High-Speed Data, but if your use trends above what 70% of customers on that plan use, you may get lower priority during congestion.[3] Unleashed Max ranks ahead of the other two Viasat plans at busy times.[5]
Contracts, equipment and installation
Viasat: Essentials needs a 24-month contract; Unleashed and Unleashed Max have no long-term contract, and Viasat says no-contract plans can be cancelled without an early termination fee.[5][3] Every plan adds a $15 monthly equipment lease, and the equipment goes back when service ends.[3][4] Standard professional installation is free, an adult must be present, and a one-time activation fee may be charged.[3][4]
Starlink: You normally buy the kit. Its 30-day trial lets you return the hardware for a full refund, but it is not a free month; service billing starts at activation or 7 days after delivery.[6] In areas without spare capacity, Starlink takes a deposit instead of shipping right away.[6]
Neither home plan is for travel. Viasat has no residential service for vehicles, and Starlink Residential needs a separate Roam plan away from the registered address.[4][2] For campers and RVs, see our RV internet guide.
Two-year cost worksheet
Fill in one column per quote before choosing. Viasat lines use its published promo and lease fee; taxes are extra.[3]
| Line | Viasat (example: Essentials) | Starlink (your quote) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront hardware or activation | Activation fee, if charged | Kit price or deposit |
| Monthly, months 1–12 | $39.99 + $15 lease = $54.99 | Monthly plan price |
| Monthly, months 13–24 | $69.99 + $15 lease = $84.99 | Monthly plan price |
| Cost to leave early | Ask: Essentials has a 24-month term | Ask in writing |
Multiply each monthly line by 12 and add the upfront line. Our Viasat plans and prices guide works through every Viasat tier.
Before you call
Our FCC data lists Starlink and Viasat in nearly every state, for example Viasat in Texas. The comparison line below is for shopping, not help with an existing Starlink or Viasat account.
Frequently asked questions
Is Starlink better than Viasat for working from home?
Usually, if you rely on video calls or a VPN; Viasat warns that VPNs may be slow.[4]
Does Viasat have a contract?
Only Essentials does, with a 24-month term.[5]
Do I own Viasat equipment?
No. You lease it for $15 a month and return it when you cancel.[3][4]
Sources
- Starlink: Satellite Technology. Starlink, Satellite Technology, accessed October 27, 2026. Orbit altitudes for Starlink and geostationary satellites. ↩
- Starlink Help Center: What are the Residential plans?. Starlink Help Center, What are the Residential plans?, accessed October 27, 2026. Tiers, speeds, priority, unlimited data and fixed-address rules. ↩
- Viasat: Unlimited Satellite Internet Plans. Viasat, Unlimited Satellite Internet Plans, accessed October 27, 2026. Prices, lease fee, speeds, data rules, installation and cancellation terms. ↩
- Viasat: Home Satellite Internet FAQ. Viasat, Home Satellite Internet FAQ, accessed October 27, 2026. Latency, VPN, gaming, vehicles, equipment return and installation. ↩
- Viasat: New Viasat Internet plans (October 8, 2026). Viasat, New Viasat Internet plans, accessed October 27, 2026. Contract terms, Unleashed Max priority and Data Boost. ↩
- Starlink Help Center: Additional FAQs - Account. Starlink Help Center, Additional FAQs - Account, accessed October 27, 2026. Trial, first bill timing and capacity deposits. ↩
Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed; our data from FCC/Census as dated. FCC data as of December 30, 2025; Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024. Editorial policy