Top 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Get Starlink Internet

Finding the right internet provider and plan for your household is already tough, but Starlink adds extra layers of complexity. Not only does Starlink’s plan and deals lineup vary based on what’s available at your location, but so do equipment costs. Your initial start-up costs for Starlink can vary from anywhere from $0 with free equipment included, all the way up to $1,500 plus equipment costs if you get hit with a demand surcharge.

The launch of Starlink brought high-speed internet to rural areas that previously had little to no high-speed options and portable internet on-the-go for those looking to stay connected during travels. But if you’re just looking to get a bare-bones internet plan, Starlink might not be the best choice for you.

Then, who is Starlink actually for, and who can benefit most from investing in Starlink’s pricey equipment and plans? We’ll provide a checklist to help you figure out if Starlink is worth it or if you’re better off looking at other internet options.

You’re on the hunt for a cheap internet plan

If finding the cheapest plan is your biggest concern, we recommend you keep shopping. Starlink’s cheapest plan comes with a $50 monthly price tag for up to 100Mbps—which might not seem so bad. But in comparison, you can get speeds of 500Mbps with Xfinity for just $5 more a month.

Many internet providers will give you rental equipment to use for free or cheap while your plan is active, but Starlink customers will need to purchase their own equipment. And as we’ve mentioned before, Starlink’s equipment isn’t cheap and can cost up to a steep $499—and you’ll have to pay that upfront. Ouch. Not to mention if you’ve got a demand surcharge in your area, you could drop $2,000 at checkout. If you can find a cheaper internet provider in your area, you’re better off signing up for something else.

Check out Starlink’s everyday deals!

You have more internet options in your area

No fiber, cable, or 5G available in your area? Definitely get Starlink. If you currently have another provider for satellite internet, switching to Starlink could be beneficial if you really need faster speeds or lower latency for streaming, video calls, or online gaming.  Before Starlink came along, many rural areas were underserved, but now Starlink is available almost everywhere and is a great choice for those with little or no other internet options.

If you have any other connection type available to you, you’re probably better off with another provider. You’ll most likely get a cheaper plan with faster speeds and cheaper equipment. Unless you live in a very rural area, you will most likely have cable or 5G home internet options.

You don’t have a clear view of the sky or you experience frequent severe weather

If you can’t get a clear view of the sky, satellite internet won’t be ideal for you since you need your dish to connect to orbiting satellites in space. If you can’t get a clear view, you’ll end up with slow connections or even dropped service.

Severe weather like rainstorms or snowstorms can also impact your connection and lead to slow speeds or a full-blown disconnection with Starlink. But unless you’re constantly in the middle of severe storms, your connection should be fine. Starlink does have a Snow Melt feature on the app to help alleviate any issues snow may cause.

You need a static IP address

Starlink uses Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT) and allows multiple customers to share a single public IP address and can’t provide you with a unique or single IP address. If your devices need a static IP address, Starlink may not be for you.

If your devices don’t need a static IP address, you’ll be fine, but keep in mind that you won’t get targeted by local ads, and you might struggle with any website that uses your physical location to check stock or delivery options.

You want in-person customer service

There are no physical Starlink stores in the U.S. for troubleshooting—even its customer service contact info and response times vary depending on your location. SpaceX uses a ticket system, and customers are expected to wait until a representative can respond to requests.

Be ready to self-troubleshoot your issues, and don’t expect to get constant updates or communication from Starlink about issues on its end. You can use the AI chat on Starlink’s website, and your request can be escalated to a live agent if needed.

Get Starlink if you don’t have another choice, but always verify your options

Starlink is a great fit for many customers who live in rural areas or have no other high-speed internet options. But it will cost a pretty penny for most and only makes sense as a long-term investment if you know you’re a good candidate. If you’re in the market for a good internet plan, check out providers like T-Mobile, Xfinity, or Spectrum that have a wide range of plans and availability across the U.S.

Be sure to always scope out the internet providers in your area and take into consideration any extra equipment fees or costs before making a decision. If you don’t check any of the disqualifier boxes and are ready to see what Starlink’s internet will cost in your area, head over to Starlink.

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