Starlink and Viasat both have their pros and cons, but ultimately Starlink is the faster and more reliable choice.
Starlink vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Provider Is Better?
Faster speeds
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.4/5
3.0/5 - Speed and reliability
3.3/5 - Dollar value
4.0/5 - Customer experience
Lower prices
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.1/5
2.25/5 - Speed and reliability
3.5/5 - Dollar value
3.4/5 - Customer experience 
8 min readIf you’re looking for a satellite internet connection, then between Starlink and Viasat, Starlink is probably the better choice, thanks to its faster speeds and higher level of reliability. Terrestrial internet connectivity is faster and more reliable, even when it’s delivered through an older cable connection. That said, not everyone has the luxury of living in an area with terrestrial internet. And if you’re in a rural area that isn’t covered by a traditional internet service provider, then satellite internet may be your only solution. Or perhaps you’re looking for a way to get a boat or other vehicle connected.
Regardless of the reason you’re looking into satellite internet, there are thankfully a few options to consider. Two of the most prominent of these options are Starlink and Viasat. Starlink is perhaps the most famous satellite internet provider—thanks, of course, to its association with SpaceX and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. But Viasat offers some great options too. And for many customers, it’s the cheaper provider.
Curious on whether you should go for Starlink or Viasat? Read on for our full comparison.
“I am a very satisfied Starlink customer,” —Kelsey Proctor of Locust Grove, Virginia
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Want to know if Starlink or Viasat are available where you live? Run a search with your zip code below to find out.
Starlink vs. Viasat: Plans, pricing, and speed
| Provider | | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month |
$50-$5000
|
$69.99-$149.99
|
| Download speeds | 5-220 Mbps | 12-150 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | 2-25 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Details | View Plans | View Plans |
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Starlink and Viasat take relatively different approaches to pricing and speeds.
Starlink pricing starts at $120 per month for the Starlink Standard Plan. The company rates this plan as offering between 20–100Mbps in download speeds and says its upload speeds range between 5–20Mbps. From there, its plans range up, with its more expensive plans being built for things like boats, emergency response vehicles, and businesses that need good internet connectivity on the go. The Priority 40GB plan from Starlink ranges from $250 to $5,000 per month, with download speeds of between 40–220Mbps. In general, 220Mbps is the fastest you can get on Starlink.
Viasat’s pricing is a little more traditional. Technically, Viasat offers a number of plans, but if you’re a consumer looking for satellite internet service, you likely only qualify for the Viasat Unleashed plan. This plan costs $99.99 per month and offers download speeds of up to 150Mbps. That doesn’t guarantee you get those speeds, though. Your speeds vary depending on your location and the location of Viasat’s satellites.
“Viasat was very reliable, and I rarely had any issues.” —Otto, a former Viasat customer in Collettsville, North Carolina
Starlink vs. Viasat: Fees for modem and installation
What makes this review legit?
Our fact-based research process centers on interviews with internet customers across the country, helping us understand how internet services hold up against diverse needs and challenges.
To put together this review, we looked at results from our speed test, pulled data from customer satisfaction surveys, and pored over the fine print to compare prices and speeds between the two providers. To flesh out our analysis, we also interviewed Starlink and Viasat customers to get their firsthand insights. We let their experiences guide our research and shape our conclusions. We also speak with ISP spokespeople and industry experts to get insights into connection types, speed capabilities, and other technical issues related to internet service.
The matchup: How we rate Starlink vs. Viasat
For all our internet reviews, we give a rating based on three main criteria—speed and reliability, dollar value, and customer experience—which we then average to make an overall score.
Here, we compare those ratings face to face. We then offer some analysis and context for important factors to keep in mind.
Want to know more? Read our full-length Starlink review and Viasat review.
Speed and reliability
Starlink: 3.0/5.0 | Viasat: 2.25/5.0
Starlink and Viasat don't just differ in their pricing approach—they also differ in how they generally connect users to the Internet. Starlink has over 6,000 satellites in low orbit around the Earth, which are less than 600 km above the surface. Viasat, on the other hand, operates only four satellites that are much larger and more powerful, but they orbit the Earth at an altitude of 36,000 km. This has a direct impact on speed and reliability. Starlink’s low-Earth orbit approach means that it can reduce latency and offer faster speeds in general. But speeds still aren’t that fast. Our 2023 speed test results show an average Starlink download speed of 39.24 Mbps. That’s very slow compared to terrestrial internet connectivity and means that even streaming 4K video could be complicated.
Of course, that’s not necessarily Starlink’s fault. After all, satellite connectivity in general is slower and less reliable, so it’s to be expected. In fact, Viasat’s speeds are much slower than Starlink’s. Our speed tests in 2023 noted average download speeds of only 2.82 Mbps. That means that Viasat could really only be used for basic internet browsing. And even then, you might find that it takes a while to load some heavier websites.
Both services suffer from reliability issues, and satellite internet connectivity in general can be temperamental when it comes to things like weather disturbances. To achieve decent satellite connectivity, you need a clear line of sight from your equipment to the satellite itself, so even if there are trees in the way, you could experience issues. That said, thanks to its faster speeds, Starlink wins in this category.
Dollar value
Starlink: 3.3/5.0 | Viasat: 3.5/5.0
Internet services aren’t just slower than their terrestrial competitors, they’re more expensive too.
The base monthly price for a Starlink connection starts at $120 per month. And if you want anything more than the Starlink Standard Plan, you need to pay more than that. In some cases, you may find yourself paying $500 per month or more. But the costs don’t end there. That base Standard Plan requires the Starlink Standard Equipment, which costs $499. Thankfully, on Starlink, you do buy equipment outright instead of renting it on a monthly basis. But that’s still no small amount to pay up front. And if you want connectivity on the go, you need to buy Starlink’s Mobile Equipment, which is also $499. Or if you want one of Starlink’s higher speed connections, you need to buy its High Performance Equipment, which costs a whopping $2,500. Starlink has no data caps or monthly overage fees, but those seem like small consolations when you have to pay at least $620 just to get started with the service.
Viasat’s pricing isn’t cheap, but it may be a little easier to stomach initially. Viasat plans technically start at $69.99 per month, but most customers will be paying $99.99 per month for the Viasat Unleashed plan. That’s relatively expensive, but to rent Viasat equipment, you can pay $15 per month or $250 for a lifetime prepaid lease. Even if you did pay that $250 to avoid monthly rental fees, you’re paying half of Starlink’s base fee. Viasat’s pricing isn’t cheap, but it may be a little easier to stomach initially. Viasat recommends that you realign your dish annually, and it charges $200 to do so. However, you can also opt for Viasat’s EasyCare plan, which costs $9.99 per month for free service calls and discounts that dish relocation fee to $95.
Just to say that Viasat certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s much cheaper than Starlink in every way. In our score, it’s only marginally better than Starlink because its speeds are also much slower, so it doesn’t technically represent much better value. You get what you pay for, but if you want to pay less, Viasat is the way to go.
Customer experience
Starlink: 4.0/5.0 | Viasat: 3.4/5.0
Generally speaking, Starlink customers seem happier with their service than Viasat customers. We spoke to a number of Starlink customers who expressed positive views of the service, while the Viasat customers we spoke to were a little more lukewarm.
That’s consistent with studies that have been conducted too. In 2023, Ookla published a study noting, “Starlink users love their provider.” That doesn’t seem to be the case for Viasat customers, who have more issues with speed and reliability. It only took us two minutes to connect to a live agent on the phone, which isn’t bad, but you can’t use the chat service without an account.
To be fair, neither of these two providers seem to be terrible, when it comes to customer experience—but Starlink is better.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Starlink and Viasat have a lot to offer, but the best one for you depends on a few different factors. If you’re willing to spend the cash for a better service, Starlink is probably the way to go, as it offers faster speeds and a better overall customer experience. Again, you have to pay more to get it, but if you need reliability, Starlink has you covered.
Viasat is slower and less reliable than Starlink. That said, the trade-off is that it costs less, so if you’re looking for basic satellite connectivity and don’t want to pay more than necessary, Viasat is still a great Starlink alternative.
Starlink vs. Viasat: What deals and promotions can you get?
While Viasat offers some deals and promotions to entice potential customers, Starlink does not. You have to decide if you want Starlink based on face value. Currently, Viasat is offering a $100 gift card to new customers, which might be enough to get you to subscribe to its service.
None
Viasat add-ons and perks
Pay $9.99 per month for free service calls, annual dish relocation, and priority support.
Call Viasat to inquire if you’re eligible for Office Hours, which lets you use business applications from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. without using your plan’s data.
Starlink vs. Viasat: What do customers think?
Starlink customers are relatively enthusiastic about their service, especially when it’s compared to other satellite internet providers.
“There aren't that many options for remote locations, and what is there is low speed and expensive,” says Lauren Morley, a customer with Starlink Mobile who plans to live in an RV on the road. “It was very cool when we were traveling to set up the Starlink in the middle of a secluded forest and be connected!”
One customer we spoke to actually had Viasat before switching to Starlink, finding that Starlink was a much better option for their needs.
“We had started out with Viasat—but it was awful. With their plan, you had so much data that was fast speed, but once you reach that point it throttles down, and you can’t even watch a Netflix movie,” says Debra Blumenthal, a Starlink customer in Montesano, Washington. “With Starlink, it is the same data straight across the board. No throttling down.”
That said, even customers who like their Starlink service aren’t necessarily happy with how much it costs. And some customers express frustration at the occasional gaps in service.
Jonas Zook Jr. is a customer in Pennsylvania who notes that he doesn’t love “the initial setup cost and the occasional service interruptions during severe weather. These interruptions, although infrequent, can be a drawback in the hospitality sector, where continuous internet access is often a given expectation.”
Still, overall, Starlink customers are happy with their service, despite the higher price.
“Starlink ticks all the boxes for us.” —Isaac Bullen
Viasat customers find the service fine in most situations, but aren’t necessarily as positive as Starlink customers. We talked to a number of Viasat customers who say it’s relatively stable, despite the fact that it’s a satellite service.
"Despite living in a rural area where other ISPs struggle to provide consistent coverage, Viasat has been dependable in delivering internet access when I need it most," says Aapt Dubey, a freelancer in Laurel, Maryland.
However, we also spoke to a number of customers who are much more critical about it. Some note that the service is really only a good choice for those who have no other alternatives.
“Speeds were bad at times, and the data plans were ridiculous,” says James Mizer, a customer in Coshocton, Ohio. “Was hoping to get on the new satellite, but when it failed to deploy at maximum capacity, I dropped it.”
“Internet of LAST resort. If anything else is available and will work at your location, get it.” —James Mizer
Check out Starlink, Viasat, and other internet providers in your area by running your zip code.
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