The Best RV Internet For Every Camper

As of 2024, the only consumer, portable satellite internet access for RVs is Starlink Mobile (once called Starlink RV). Starlink Mobile, which is under the umbrella of Starlink Roam plans, connects to SpaceX’s constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet.  It has the widest coverage area for RVers.      

The service's performance will depend on your location, the network's busyness, and the status of the Starlink constellation, which is continually growing.

Starlink's availability and speed map lets you track approximate speeds from state to state. Although its speeds are based on fixed-location plans, they are still a good indicator of how well mobile plans will perform in an area.

If you’ve been wondering about the significant cost difference between Starlink’s standard portable hardware ($599) and flat high-performance hardware ($2,500), it lies in when you can use your system. The standard hardware is quite portable and not that complicated of a setup process, but you have to park to use it, and it has to be set up again every time you relocate.

The flat high-performance hardware, however, is more expensive because it’s designed to be installed directly onto your RV so you can use it in motion. It’s Starlink’s luxury offering since it was initially intended to be installed on boats and is the only device that can connect to the web while in motion.

There’s no annual contract on Starlink’s Roam plans, only a month-by-month payment you can pause at any time—a huge pro for those who travel part-time.

Starlink Roam’s base plan, Mobile Regional, costs $150 monthly, with a one-time equipment fee of $599 for the standard portable hardware. We recommend this plan if you travel domestically.

We recommend the next tier mainly to international travelers. It costs $200 per month plus the $599 hardware fee. This plan will suit you if you're a total globetrotter and often need an internet connection on entirely different continents. 

The highest tier plan Starlink offers for RVers starts at $250 per month for 50GB with a hardware fee of $2,500. Mobile Priority and the more expensive hardware allow for connectivity while your RV, boat, or other joy ride of choice is both moving and stationary.

Mobile Priority lets you choose how much data you need out of three options: 50GB, 1TB, and 5TB. This Starlink plan is intended for internet on your personal yacht or mobile business. It’s also recommended for emergency responders out of range of any other internet or cell signal.

Hughesnet and Viasat provide satellite internet services designed for fixed locations, such as homes or businesses, so they’re not portable. If you want portable satellite options, Starlink stands out as the only viable choice beyond a satellite phone, which is ideal for keeping around for emergencies if you camp and hike in highly remote areas.

A mobile hotspot device is the next best option for connecting while traveling in your RV. There are two types of mobile hotspots: cellular data plans through your existing cell provider and mobile phone (often called tethering) or a separate hotspot device that will need its own data plan but will provide better speeds, better signal, and allow more devices to connect. 

Both mobile hotspots use a cellular data network to access the internet and then broadcast it to your other devices, such as laptops and tablets, through a localized Wi-Fi network. Depending on the mobile provider, they may require you to sign up for a separate mobile hotspot plan with limited data if not included with your mobile plan.

Note: If you plan to binge-watch your favorite shows and play video games often, you can expect to upgrade to the highest data plan your provider offers and still have the potential to experience speed throttling.    

Let’s talk about mobile hotspot plans. They’re convenient because they use your smartphone and turn your cellular data into a Wi-Fi network you can connect all your devices.      

With a mobile hotspot, you have many carrier options to fit your needs.

T-Mobile offers the most comprehensive 5G coverage of any cellular network hotspot plan, with speeds 2x faster than competitors. Their base plan is also very affordable, at only $10 per month, with 2GB of premium data included and free data roaming. Because of its availability, we recommend T-Mobile for RV life.

Next in line for reliability is the Verizon Pro plan. This Verizon plan is more expensive than T-Mobile but offers 100GB of 4G LTE or 5G data before speed throttling. This plan is excellent for those who use a relatively high quantity of data monthly. If you travel in your RV with family or friends and want to stream on multiple devices, this is the plan for you. 

AT&T provides a prepaid hotspot data plan starting at $55 per month for 50GB, after which the speed will slow exponentially. If you have a set estimate on how much data your internet habits use per month, prepaid plans are an excellent option to avoid overpaying for data you won’t use.  

Visible (owned by Verizon) offers a prepaid phone data plan called Visible+, which starts at $35 per month. This plan provides unlimited hotspot data at 5Mbps, so that speeds will be slow but never capped. Only one device can be connected to the hotspot at a time, so this plan is better suited to single RVers or those who don’t mind the inconvenience of taking turns.

Simply put, a mobile hotspot device is a small, portable physical device that uses the same process your mobile hotspot plan does to connect you to the internet. Instead of the Wi-Fi signal coming from your smartphone, it emits directly from a dedicated hotspot device.

Mobile hotspot devices and plans may perform the same function, but there are some clear pros and cons to why you would choose one or the other. For example, a hotspot plan uses your smartphone to share Wi-Fi, so they’re known to drain your phone battery quickly. Another issue is whether you must use your phone and other devices simultaneously. In that case, opting for a hotspot device would be a good idea. Hotspot devices free up your phone, still give you a Wi-Fi connection, and can be plugged in to charge constantly.

A mobile hotspot device can also support connecting more devices to Wi-Fi than a hotspot data plan, with potentially faster speeds and a more reliable connection. A hotspot device is an excellent option if you have family and friends traveling in your RV with you, so everyone can stay connected (and not argue over who gets to watch YouTube). 

Reminder: Before you decide on a hotspot device or plan, keep in mind that you will have to purchase the physical device in addition to your monthly fee, so up-front costs will be higher than for a hotspot plan.

5G Home Internet services are great for homes, apartments, and mobile homes in fixed locations, but they usually aren’t ideal for taking on the road. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is one of our favorite internet services for rural areas, but we don’t recommend traveling with it, as doing so will break the plan’s terms of service.

T-Mobile announced a 5G plan specifically for travelers called “Away.” The plan allows you to take a 5G Wi-Fi gateway on the road for $160 per month with unlimited data.

If you plan to use it at your full-time home, we do recommend T-Mobile as a home internet service in general. T-Mobile’s 5G is fast and far-reaching, with over 325 million Americans having access. Right now, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers a great package deal where if you bundle a cell phone plan and its home internet (and set up auto-pay), you can get access to its 5G network for only $40 per month. Check if you can get the service in your area using our zip check below.

If you just want to stop somewhere in your RV for a quick internet browse, public Wi-Fi- networks are a great potential resource. Many small businesses, casual chain restaurants, and public libraries offer a local Wi-Fi service for free that you may or may not even need a password to access.

You can connect from your RV if you’re stopped at an RV park or public location with nearby Wi-Fi. Read our guide for more about different devices and accessories for connecting to public Wi-Fi.

Word to the wise—public Wi-Fi networks are less secure and allow anyone to join them anytime, which means they can be rife with hacking, cyber-attacks, and even data breaches. While this may not happen to you if you use free public Wi-Fi, we don’t suggest taking the gamble with no safeguards. Try using some of our best tips to prepare yourself for browsing on a public Wi-Fi network:

1. Download a VPN(Virtual Private Network) and turn it on.
2. Install a reputable anti-virus software on your device.
3. Clear your device’s browsing history and cookies.   

Remember: There are better long-term internet options than public hotspots if you work remotely in your RV, as you will have to find a public Wi-Fi network every time you relocate. Also, since the signal strength isn’t predictable, you might even have to miss meetings or reschedule deadlines because you don’t have a stable connection. On top of that, if your job requires you to work with other people or your sensitive data, and you’re connected to an unsecured public network, you could be responsible for a data breach.

Our top two suggestions for staying connected while on the road are Starlink Mobile satellite internet or a mobile hotspot plan through T-Mobile. If you work remotely from your RV and want to avoid an angry Zoom call from your manager, consider a backup option like a hotspot device or public Wi-Fi to ensure a stable 24/7 connection.

We compile our articles using trusted sources and honest customer feedback. We perform first-hand testing on the services we review and compile proprietary data to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your internet needs.

If you don’t have cellular service where you’re staying and must have internet access, you can rent a satellite hotspot. This saves you from paying $600 or more for the hardware cost. Check into renting a satellite hotspot, which can also provide phone service in highly remote areas.

The Federal Communications Commission has a coverage map for the top four cell carriers in the nation. You can enter your physical address or where you intend to travel and see how the coverage fares before you even step foot in the area; that way, you can be better prepared for your next RV adventure.