Starlink is a good option for those needing internet in rural areas or while traveling, while Verizon 5G Home Internet is a solid choice for urban/suburban residents with good 5G coverage looking for a simple, contract-free setup.
| Attribute | Starlink | Verizon 5G Home Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed (Typical) | Starlink Residential Lite: 50 to 100Mbps. Starlink Residential: 150 to 250Mbps. | 50-300 Mbps (standard plan), 85-1000 Mbps (Home Plus plan in select areas). Typical download speeds range from 50-85Mbps for the 5G Home plan and 85-250Mbps for the 5G Home Plus plan. |
| Upload Speed (Typical) | Not available | Up to 20 Mbps (standard plan), 50-75 Mbps (Home Plus plan). Upload speeds are roughly equivalent to what you get from a cable internet provider: our uploads usually clock in at around 20–30 Mbps. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data available with Residential service plans. | No data caps |
| Contract Length | No contract requirement for the Mini plan, so you can stop and start the service anytime. 12-month commitment to waive equipment fee. | No annual contracts |
| Equipment Costs (Router, etc.) | Starlink Standard Kit: $349 (includes dish, router, power supply, cables, and mounting tripod). Starlink Mini Kit: $599. Waive equipment fee with 12-month commitment. | Wi-Fi 6 router is included with the plan. No equipment charges. Complimentary router rental. |
| Installation Fees | No charge for installation; offers free professional rooftop installation in select areas. DIY installation. installation cost starts from $480 including a suitable roof mount, pole & pole adaptor. is offering installation for $199 in Ohio. | No extra charges for the router rental, taxes, or hidden fees. Self-installation is simple and fast. |
| Monthly Price | Residential Lite: $80 per month. Residential: $120 per month. Mini: Monthly subscription cost between $50 and $165. Roam: $50 to $165 monthly with 50GB of priority data, "Roam Unlimited" option without a data cap for $165 monthly. Global Priority: Starting at $250 monthly with 50GB of priority data. | Starts at $35/month (5G Home) or $45/month (5G Home Plus) with AutoPay and eligible Verizon mobile plans. The lowest plan is $60/month or $50/month with autopay, limited to 100 Mbps download speed. 5G Home Plus plan for $80/month or $70/month with autopay, or $45/month with a qualifying cellular plan. |
| Coverage Area | Revolutionizing rural and on-the-go internet access. Offers high-speed internet almost anywhere across the world. | Not available |
| Latency/Ping | Not available | Verizon reported 5G latency "less than 30 milliseconds." Verizon Wireless expects network to device (round-trip) latency to be 37-57 ms on its 5G Ultra Wideband network |
| Customer Service Quality | Not available | Not available |
| Reliability/Uptime | Designed to endure the elements - it can melt snow and withstand sleet, heavy rain, and harsh winds. | Not available |
| Technology (Satellite vs. 5G) | Satellite internet using low Earth orbit satellites. | Fixed wireless internet service using 5G Ultra Wideband network. Uses 5G cellular towers to deliver wireless internet to homes. |
| Ratings | Not available | Verizon's 5G service topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index with a 74/100. |