While Starlink wasn’t included in the most recent Ookla Speedtest Awards, we know many consumers are interested in comparing Starlink to their ISP. Ookla does have speed test data available for Starlink, the Elon Musk and SpaceX-powered satellite internet service. While it’s far from the fastest ISP, it has long since caught up to broadband speeds, and it may be one of your only options in some areas. Thanks to the massive constellation of low-earth orbit satellites operated by SpaceX, Starlink has provided an entirely new way for people around the world to connect to the internet. The service has been a true game-changer for people in rural areas around the world, and for travelers who often go into remote areas.
If you ever wished you never had to deal with a cable or internet company ever again, you can probably see the appeal of Starlink. While the technology behind the service is complicated, it’s actually very easy to set up. Customers need to purchase a dish like the $499 Starlink Mini and download the Starlink Android or iOS app to complete the setup. From there, you can manage your internet service in the app. Starlink is more expensive than traditional ISPs, but the monthly cost is comparable to other high-speed internet plans.
On the downside, Ookla speed tests show that Starlink has a wide range in performance depending on your location. And while performance has been steadily increasing, Ookla reports that “[only] 17.4% of U.S. Starlink Speedtest users nationwide were able to get broadband speeds consistent with the FCC’s minimum requirement for broadband,” mostly due to lagging upload speeds.
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As of Q1 2025, Starlink median download speeds have nearly doubled since 2023. In addition, Starlink has much lower latency than other satellite internet companies (that’s a good thing), also per Ookla.
