Starlink Internet Speed Test

Download speed is usually what providers and experts refer to when they talk about "internet speed." It measures how your connection performs when data travels from the web server to your device. It determines how fast web pages and files load. You'll want fast download speeds to watch Netflix in 4K.

Upload speed is how quickly data travels from your device to the web server. Examples of uploads include sharing photos and videos to social media, backing up files to cloud storage, sending emails, and other outgoing tasks. Upload speed can also impact video calls, such as Zoom and FaceTime.

Latency measures how long it takes data to travel from your device to the server and back. It's measured in milliseconds, and the lower the better. One of the biggest contributors to high latency is distance—latency increases the further you are from the tower or web server you're connected to. It's most impactful in online gaming, where quick response times are needed.

The types of activities you do online, and the number of connected devices in your household impacts the internet speed you need for a smooth online experience.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as having a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed. This is a solid minimum goal but doesn’t guarantee a good experience. For example, 4K video streams can quickly max out a 25Mbps connection—and that’s only on one device. You’ll need more bandwidth if you have multiple devices online at once.

Streaming video is typically the most speed-intensive activity users engage in online. This is especially true for 4K streams. Gaming, which seems intensive on the surface, is relatively light on bandwidth, needing just a few Mbps for an excellent experience. However, downloading large games is another story.

We think a good minimum target for rural users is 50Mbps for a single-person household and 100Mbps for a multi-person household. More would be better, but rural internet options don’t always leave many choices.

Starlink’s plans advertise speeds up to 400 Mbps. Starlink claims that the majority of users experience speeds over 100Mbps. Further, it claims that upload speeds are typically between 5 and 20 Mbps.

These speeds are quite good—especially the average download speed of over 100 Mbps. That makes even the most affordable Starlink plan very usable and faster than many other rural options.

There are a few reasons your Starlink internet might be slow:

• The network is congested due to too many simultaneous users in your area. This is most commonly an issue during peak times, such as the evening.
• Too many people use your connection simultaneously to perform intensive tasks, such as streaming video, downloading large files, or video calling.
• Signal interference, such as inclement weather, affects the network.
• You’re too far from your Starlink router, resulting in a weaker signal.

Some of these are obviously easier to work around than others. For example, if you're regularly driving at slow speeds during peak times, you may need to find a different time to do your speed-intensive activities. On the other hand, there’s nothing you can do about the weather besides wait it out.

When in doubt, you can always contact Starlink customer service for assistance. Although it’s the weakest part of the Starlink service, it can still be helpful.

If you need more speed than you’re getting from a residential Starlink Standard plan, you can consider upgrading to Starlink Priority. This is a significantly more expensive plan, but it can double your speed. It may be worthwhile for high-demand users who can afford the costs.

Alternatively, if you feel you’re not getting the speeds you’re paying for, there are a couple of things you can try:

• Check your devices for background processes that might use up bandwidth, such as large downloads.
• Run a virus scan on your devices to check for malware that could be using your connection (sending out personal data, for example).
• Check your router for connection issues.
• Check your dish to ensure it’s unobstructed. The Starlink app has a function that makes this process easy. If you’re using Starlink while camping, you should check this every time you set up your dish, as tree coverage can interfere with the signal.
• Make sure you’re not too far from your router. As you get further from the router, signal strength goes down—even if your device says you’re connected, the signal may be too weak to do much.

Finally, if you find Starlink isn’t right for you, consider alternatives, such as other satellite providers or a 5G home internet service.

Compared to satellite competitors like Hughesnet and Viasat, Starlink is quite a bit more expensive—and remember that these prices don’t consider the hefty equipment fees. However, it can also be quite a bit faster. Starlink also offers unlimited data, which other satellite services don’t provide.

T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet provides an exciting alternative to Starlink (and other satellite services), with fast speeds and unlimited data at an excellent price. That price drops to $40 per month if you have a qualifying T-Mobile cell plan. The catch here is availability—satellite internet, like Starlink, is more widely available because it doesn’t need as much infrastructure.

Choosing between these providers will ultimately depend on availability, budget, and how you use your connection. If you don’t need unlimited data, you could get by with a cheaper plan from Hughesnet or Viasat. If you have T-Mobile available, you could try 5G Home Internet. Finally, if you need speedy satellite and unlimited data, Starlink is the way to go.

When you take our Starlink speed test, a file (called a packet) is sent from the server to your device, and then back to the server. This transfer is used to determine your download speed, upload speed, and latency.

When taking speed tests, including this one, it’s important to remember that your internet speed will vary throughout the day. This is particularly true during periods of high traffic in your area, such as the evening hours. To get a complete picture of your speed, you may want to run speed tests at different points throughout the day and calculate the average.