Satellite internet may not be a popular choice of connectivity due to slower speed and less reliability, but it is often the only choice for rural communities. However, America’s telecommunication market does not have many satellite internet providers. For years you could only rely on two satellite titans – Viasat and HughesNet, but with the emergence of Elon Musk’s Starlink, people living in remote or rural areas have a new option for getting online.
This Viasat vs Starlink faceoff compares a well-known name in the market with new satellite technology to see how they differ. So, sit back and read why Viasat may be a better option for your home.
Viasat
Based in Carlsbad, California, Viasat Inc. is a well-known communications business in America, serving both the public and private sectors with its satellite broadband and secure networking infrastructure. Formerly known as Exede, Viasat was established in 1986 and has since grown to be a household brand in rural areas.
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The company has extensive coverage across the country, serving a sizable population with residential phone and internet services. And while its portfolio does not include a TV service, it partners with DISH TV to provide this service. In short, Viasat may not be the ideal solution for most people, but it is the best rural internet provider.
Starlink
Starlink by SpaceX is Elon Musk’s venture to connect almost anyone on Earth through a growing network of private LEO satellites. The service has finally gained traction after years of development, covering 45 countries worldwide through 2000 orbital satellites.
The use of numerous Low Earth Orbit satellites makes it possible for Starlink to deliver high-speed and low-latency internet to its customers, making it unique from other satellite internet options. Besides providing broadband solutions to residential, business, and RV users, Starlink has recently dived into maritime, IoT, and aviation industries.
Pros & Cons – Viasat vs Starlink
Both providers offer something unique, but they are not free of flaws. The following pros and cons of each provider can help you identify their distinctive features and shortcomings, so you can choose the most appropriate service.
| Pros | |
| Viasat | Starlink |
| Nationwide availability | Better internet speeds |
| Lower starting price | No contracts |
| Multiple plans | No data caps |
| Low equipment charges | – |
| Cons | |
| Viasat | Starlink |
| Enforces data caps | Expensive equipment |
| 2-year contracts | Availability limited to certain regions |
Internet Service Comparison – Viasat Internet vs Starlink
| Features | Viasat | Starlink |
| Internet Plans | Current Internet Plans: 5 | 3 |
| New Choice Internet Plans: 6 | ||
| Price Range | $64.99/month – $299.99/month | $110.00/month – $500.00/month |
| Speed Range | 12 Mbps – 150 Mbps | 50 Mbps – 500 Mbps |
| Latency | Average 613 ms | Average 48 ms |
| Data Caps | Yes | None (As of now) |
| Contracts | Yes | None |
| Equipment Fee | Rental: $13.00/month | Upfront $599.00 – $2500.00 |
| Buying the equipment:$299 | ||
| Installation Fee | $100.00 | None |
| Early Termination Fee | $15 for each remaining month in the agreement | None |
| Learn More | Call 877-412-0759 Now! | |
Even though Viasat and Starlink are two major companies in the satellite broadband industry, their policies are very different. Discussing their differences becomes essential when you are in the market for satellite internet. From their price points to the extra charges, this Viasat vs. Starlink review highlights all the significant differences to help you make an informed choice.
Internet Plans
Viasat and Starlink’s internet plans are very different from one another in terms of terms, cost, and selection. Starlink caters to various sectors but only proposes one internet plan for each. On the other hand, Viasat gives you an array of options, and its basic plans are also more pocket-friendly. Now let’s get into the specifics.
Viasat
Viasat currently offers two categories of internet plans, and their availability depends on your address.
Viasat internet plans come in five different flavors, but its residential customers in some areas can only access the first three tiers. The speed and data caps usually vary with your address, but keep in mind that the more luxurious the plan name, the more speed and monthly data allowance you get.
The most wallet-friendly plan of Viasat starts at $69.99 a month, which is $40 less than Starlink’s residential internet plan. However, all Viasat internet plans come with a promotional price that ends after only three months of service.
| Plan | Price | Internet Speed | Data Caps | Contact Viasat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Bronze 12 | $69.99/mo. | 12 Mbps | 40 GB | Call Now |
| Unlimited Silver 25 | $99.99/mo. | 25 Mbps | 60 GB | Call Now |
| Unlimited Gold 50 | $149.99/mo. | 50 Mbps | 100 GB | Call Now |
| Unlimited Platinum 100 | $199.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 150 GB | Call Now |
| Unlimited Diamond 100 | $299.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 300 GB | Call Now |
New Choice Internet Plans
Some locations currently have access to Viasat’s New Choice Internet package. But the provider aims to expand their availability across the country. The introductory prices for these plans start at $64.99 and increase by $30 to $100 after three months of service. However, the regular rates remain stable due to the 2-year agreement.
Viasat is easily one of the most expensive internet providers in the country, but compared to Starlink, some of its plans are still cheaper.
| Plan | Price | Internet Speed | Data Caps | Contact Viasat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice 25 | $64.99/mo. | 25 Mbps | 40 GB | Call Now |
| Choice 50 | $84.99/mo. | 50 Mbps | 60 GB | Call Now |
| Choice 75 | $119.99/mo. | 75 Mbps | 100 GB | Call Now |
| Choice 100 | $169.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | 150 GB | Call Now |
| Choice 125 | $249.99/mo. | 125 Mbps | 300 GB | Call Now |
| Choice 150 | $249.99/mo. | 150 Mbps | 300 GB | Call Now |
Starlink
In contrast, Starlink only offers one internet plan to its residential customers starting at $110, making it a pricey choice even by satellite internet standards. And while Starlink tries to ease the pain by providing better speeds and nixing term agreements and data caps, its hefty equipment cost of $599 makes customers hesitant about this service.
Besides home internet, Starlink offers internet plans for recreational vehicles and business customers and has recently announced broadband plans for maritime and aviation industries.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Internet Speed | Data Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Internet | $110.00/month | 50 Mbps – 250 Mbps | None |
| Starlink Business | $500.00/month | 150 Mbps – 500 Mbps | None |
| Starlink RV | $135.00/month | 50 Mbps – 250 Mbps | None |
Latency
The major problem with satellite internet service is the high latency rate, which makes it impossible to carry out most online activities, notably gaming. It is usually measured in milliseconds and is referred to as a ping rate. The lower the latency, the better the performance, which is why most people prefer wired internet connections.
However, Starlink’s latency rate is much closer to wired broadband services because it employs LEO satellites. On the other hand, Viasat has extremely high latency, making it unsuitable for gaming and virtual meetings.
| Viasat | Starlink | Best Latency Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 600 ms – 1200 ms | 20 ms – 50 ms | <40 ms |
Reliability
Satellite internet is not known for its reliability as it often faces outages and is easily susceptible to bad weather like heavy rain, snow, and thunderstorms. Furthermore, this internet type requires a clear view of the southern sky for better performance. Starlink and Viasat both face these issues and are not considered the most reliable options, as trees and tall buildings can also interrupt their service.
Required Equipment
Since they do not rely on wired infrastructure, Starlink and Viasat come with additional equipment besides modem and router. Viasat’s kit includes a satellite Dish and a Viasat Gateway Modem, which frees you from buying a separate router. Starlink internet also requires a mountable Dish, WiFi router, power supply, cables, and a base.
Additional Charges
Satellite internet has a few more additional charges than a typical wired internet connection as they usually enforce contracts and data caps. Let’s compare the extra costs of Viasat and Starlink to see which provider fares better.
Installation Charges
Viasat charges a one-time installation fee of $100 for setting up your equipment. However, customers with qualifying credit in select regions can get free installation. In contrast, Starlink only offers a self-installation option, and you don’t have to pay anything for it.
| Provider | Installation Fee |
| Viasat | Typically $100.00 |
| Free installation: customers with qualifying credit in select areas | |
| Starlink | None |
Equipment Fee
Viasat gives you two options – either to lease its equipment for $13 a month, or purchase it for $299. Meanwhile, Starlink does not rent its equipment, and you have to buy it for a one-time cost ranging from $599 to $2500, depending on the type of internet service you are getting.
| Provider | Equipment Fee | |
| Rental | Purchase | |
| Viasat | 13.00/month | $299.00 |
| Starlink | None | $599–$2,500 |
Contracts
Contracts are another common aspect of satellite internet providers but Starlink is an exception as it does not enforce any term agreements. On the other hand, all Viasat internet plans come with a 2-year contract, resulting in an early termination fee as a penalty if you breach it.
Early Termination Fee
Since Starlink does not impose service agreements, it does not have an early termination fee. However, Viasat charges an ETF of $15/month for the remaining duration of your contract if you decide to switch amid service. In addition, you must return the rented equipment within 30 days after cancellation to avoid further charges.
| Provider | ETF |
|---|---|
| Viasat | $15.00/month for the remaining duration of the contract or $400 upfront |
| Starlink | None |
Data Caps
Although Starlink does not currently enforce data limitations, you can soon expect your internet service to have a monthly data allotment of 1 TB. According to the information on Starlink’s website, the new policy will go into effect in February of this year. On the other hand, Viasat has data caps on all internet plans ranging from 40 GB to 300 GB, resulting in deprioritization once you exceed the set limit.
Bundle Deals
Despite not providing a TV service, Viasat has plenty of bundle choices. Viasat not only offers high-quality voice and internet services to rural residents, but it also allows you to combine your internet subscription with extra maintenance and digital security services like Viasat Shield and Viasat EasyCare.
And while it lacks TV options, its subscriber can access their favorite shows and movies through DISH TV. Here are some popular Viasat bundles.
| Bundle | Starting Price | Deal | Contact Viasat |
| Viasat Internet + Viasat Voice | $89.98/month |
|
Call Now |
| Viasat Internet + DISH TV | $149.98/month |
|
Call Now |
| Viasat Internet + Viasat Shield | $78.98/month |
|
Call Now |
Starlink, on the other hand, does not offer any home phone or TV bundles, but there is always a possibility in the future.
Customer Service
Since well-known consumer reviewers like ACSI and J.D. Power do not include these providers in their reports, it is difficult to determine how satisfied customers are with them. Although Starlink is still a new service on the market, users’ reactions have been inconsistent across platforms because of either unfulfilled speed expectations or service availability dates.
Contrarily, Viasat has received hundreds of consumer complaints at the Better Business Bureau, but the company’s prompt action and reaction have helped it earn an A-plus score from BBB.
Coverage Area
Viasat has a much wider coverage area than Starlink in the US, covering all 50 states with 99% availability. Meanwhile, Starlink has a wider global network. But in the US, its coverage is scattered, and you can only access it in certain parts of 33 states.
Is Starlink better than Viasat?
This Viasat vs Starlink review highlights that Starlink might be different from conventional satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat, but it does not necessarily mean that it is better. The company promises to deliver an internet experience like wired internet options, and its lack of contracts and data caps have been a breath of fresh air, but it is incredibly pricey even by satellite internet standards. Plus, it has recently disclosed that its residential plan would have a 1 TB monthly data restriction from February.
In addition, its restricted availability also makes it challenging to access everywhere. Hence, we recommend Viasat for your home internet. With decent internet speeds, cheaper starting plans, wider availability, and options for bundles, Viasat is the best rural internet provider.
