Starlink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Clash of the Broadband Disruptors

T-Mobile recently made headlines by announcing its partnership with Starlink’s satellite internet service for its mobile plans. But in terms of broadband, how do these providers compare? What makes Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet solid options for rural communities? The biggest consideration for rural internet is availability. Unlike most cable and fiber internet service providers, Starlink and T-Mobile offer extensive coverage nationwide. However, speeds and prices play an equally important role if you have more than one option. Let’s take a closer look at what these ISPs have to offer.

Is Starlink or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet better?

CNET recommends T-Mobile 5G Home Internet over Starlink, if by just a hair. Here’s why: Although Starlink is available virtually everywhere — even on the go — T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers much more competitive prices. T-Mobile is the leading 5G home internet provider in the country, but many rural Americans may find themselves on T-Mobile’s long wait list (which currently has over 1 million people in queue) to sign up for service. Starlink ditched its nationwide waitlist in 2023, though it has reported that several cities could still be waiting to sign up for service.

Still, even though Starlink may be more broadly available than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet if both options are available at your address, T-Mobile will likely be the better option.

Starlink’s internet services come at a steep price. Service ranges from $120 to as much as $250 monthly, not including the steep up-front equipment costs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper than Starlink: service starts at $50 monthly, with an option to lower that cost by bundling with a mobile plan. Plus, T-Mobile regularly offers perks and deals, making it the better choice in areas where the two ISPs are available.

Both providers offer maximum speeds of over 200 megabits per second, unlimited data and latency low enough to support online gaming. However, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet recently announced speed boosts across all plans, thanks to new gateway devices. That means you may find faster average speeds with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet than Starlink, though that depends on other factors like network congestion.

CNET’s reviews of each provider further suggest that T-Mobile 5G Home Internet may be a better option if it’s available. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet scored 7.4 out of 10, one of the highest ratings of all 40-plus ISPs CNET has reviewed. (Verizon Fios has the best overall score at 7.6.) Starlink, on the other hand, earned a 6.5, well below T-Mobile 5G Home Internet but still higher than competing satellite internet providers Hughesnet (6) and Viasat (6.1). 

As always, it’s important to examine the fine print and consider speeds and prices when deciding which service is ultimately best for your home. Here’s the full rundown of everything Starlink and T-Mobile.

Our take – Satellite internet becomes a lifeline for rural communities that don’t have access to fiber or cable internet. Starlink is available virtually everywhere which means your address will likely be serviceable. However, there might be a waitlist for select cities. Compared to other satellite ISPs like Viasat and Hughesnet, Starlink leads in terms of speed, data and even latency limitations satellite internet is notorious for, but not the sky-high costs. Fixed home internet service starts at $120 per month, but it will cost you an equipment fee of $349 just to get started or $499 for service on the go. Whichever plan you choose, you can expect a contract-free service.

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Our take – T-Mobile introduced new plans with faster speeds at a decent price. You can expect a maximum download speed of 415 megabits per second, making it an ideal option for internet in rural areas. Unlike Starlink, T-Mobile’s service is significantly cheaper and affordable, ranging from $50 to $70 a month. In addition, equipment is included, which can’t be said for Starlink (charging you a one-time fee of $349 up to $5,000). While you might find restrictions with your priority data with Starlink, T-Mobile offers unlimited data for all plans. The only downside is that service might be scarce for rural areas, especially those who live in the West and Midwest.

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Starlink vs. T-Mobile plans

Starlink offers multiple plan options depending on whether you need fixed or mobile internet service. Fixed home internet service comes down to either “standard” or “priority” data. Standard is the cheapest option at $120 a month for expected speeds ranging from 25 to 100 megabits per second. Priority service offers a higher, more consistent upload and download speed range (40 to 220Mbps), at least until you’ve reached the data limit. After that, your service is bumped to standard for the remainder of the billing cycle.

In addition to its roaming plan, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet recently introduced new plans offering faster speeds than its Home Internet and Home Internet Plus plans, which only have a single speed tier. If you’re just interested in home internet, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is half the price of Starlink’s cheapest plan (and even cheaper for qualifying T-Mobile voice customers) and has a higher anticipated speed range. Here’s a look at each provider’s plans.

Starlink internet plan details

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plan details

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet leads in affordability

As mentioned above, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is half the cost of Starlink’s cheapest plan, starting at $50 per month, compared to $120 with Starlink Standard. Plus, a $15 discount is available to qualifying T-Mobile voice customers, bringing the monthly rate down even further.

There are no set price increases with T-Mobile, and the provider is currently running a unique “price lock,” offering to pay your final bill if the monthly rate ever increases.

Likewise, there are no set price increases with Starlink, but the monthly home internet rate has fluctuated in the short time since the service has been available (in fairness, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet rates have shifted between $50 and $60 multiple times). Starlink’s home internet plan, the most suitable for everyday home internet use, runs $120 per month.

For a priority data connection with a faster speed range and better speed consistency during periods of network congestion, Starlink home internet will run you $140 to $500 per month depending on your chosen data allotment of 40GB, 2TB or 5TB. I would probably pass on the 40GB option, but 2TB is plenty of data and more than the average household will use in a month.

Read more: My T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Experience: 5 Things I Love and a Few Things I Could Do Without

Speeds vary for Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plans advertise an expected speed range, meaning the maximum speeds a home receives will vary based on location, network congestion and other factors. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s speed range is higher than Starlink (87 to 415Mbps versus 25 to 100Mbps or 40 to 220Mbps), but that doesn’t guarantee it to be the faster provider. 

T-Mobile estimates that “25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above” the 133 to 415Mbps range, according to the provider’s FAQ page. The speeds you get with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet will depend on your proximity to a mobile tower and the number of nearby customers who rely on the T-Mobile network for home internet, contributing to network congestion. In some cases, T-Mobile will lean on its 4G LTE network to deliver home internet, which can result in speeds slower than the advertised speed range. 

Starlink says that “a majority of customers [experience] speeds over 100Mbps.” Like with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, Starlink’s available speeds will vary by location and network congestion, but Starlink is more transparent about what speeds you can expect in different parts of the US, as displayed in the map above. With every new Starlink launch, maximum available speeds and resistance to network congestion could continue to improve. 

Starlink’s priority data could come in handy

Those with priority data are less vulnerable to slowed speeds during periods of high activity. Starlink’s Fair Use Policy states, “Priority data is given network precedence over Standard and Mobile data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds.”

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t offer standard versus priority service tiers, so everyone is at the same mercy of the network’s capacity and capabilities.

What about latency?

Latency, or the time it takes your connection to send data back and forth, is notoriously high with traditional, geostationary satellite internet services, rendering online gaming and other tasks next to impossible. 

Starlink and its network of low-orbiting satellites drastically reduce the time it takes to send data from the sky to your home and back. Advertised latency for Starlink internet is between 25 and 60 milliseconds, a significant improvement over Hughesnet or Viasat (which can hit 400 ms or higher) and low enough to support online gaming.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet signals have a shorter distance to travel, and as a result, expected latency ranges are lower than Starlink at around 16 to 36 ms (24 to 40 when relying on its 4G LTE network).

Still, latency from either provider is low enough that you likely wouldn’t notice a difference between Starlink and T-Mobile. Both ISPs have a latency range that will comfortably support online gaming, so don’t let latency influence your decision too much on Starlink versus T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.

Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet service terms

Speeds and latency are a toss-up between Starlink and T-Mobile, but the latter has a clear advantage in terms of equipment and accompanying fees. 

There are no equipment fees, upfront or ongoing, with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Your equipment arrives with free, two-day shipping and setup is simple — just plug in your router, then create your Wi-Fi network (and don’t forget to take these steps to secure it).

Starlink recently hiked its equipment purchase fee to $349 in most locations but may run as much as $100 more (or less) in other markets. Equipment fees are due at the time of your order.

That’s a huge upfront cost compared with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. On top of that, a shipping and handling fee of around $20 may apply. Equipment is included at no extra cost for T-Mobile. Just look out for that $35 activation fee when you begin service.

Despite the shipping fee, it will probably take longer to get your equipment than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet — up to two weeks. The setup appears to be fairly straightforward (check it out in the video below), but it will still be more involved than T-Mobile’s.

Watch this: Starlink Satellites Are Bringing Internet to Millions. We’ll Explain the Pros and Cons

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No data caps or contracts with either service

Nothing really to move the needle one way or the other here. Neither provider enforces data caps or requires a contract for service.

Granted, Starlink has its Priority plan with varying amounts of data, but there is still no cap on your total usage. Once the priority data pool is depleted, customers fall to the Standard and still unlimited data plan. 

Starlink’s availability is hard to beat

Choosing an internet provider starts with what’s available in your area. Starlink has the availability advantage over T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and basically every other nonsatellite provider.

According to the most recent Federal Communications Commission data, Starlink is available to 99.7% of US households. A few pockets across the US aren’t yet serviceable for Starlink, the biggest areas that lack availability are in west-central New Mexico and along the Virginia-West Virginia border. For the most part, Starlink is immediately available everywhere else.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s availability has rapidly increased, and there’s no reason to expect the ISP will slow down anytime soon. Still, nationwide availability sits at just under 60% as of June 2024, per the most recent FCC data. Coverage is particularly low in the western states of Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming — states where Starlink indicates its fastest speeds are available.

About that waitlist

Starlink booted it’s nationwide waitlist in 2023, but select cities may still be waiting for service. T-Mobile’s 5G Home internet, on the other hand, has over a million people currently in the queue.

Even in areas largely serviceable for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, availability can vary by address and the current network capacity. As a result, home internet service may not be available, even if you can get 5G on your phone.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile roaming internet

Along the lines of availability, Starlink also offers Roam internet with service intended for “RVs, nomads and campers” that allows you to take your internet connection essentially anywhere. Service starts at $50 to $165 a month for standard unlimited data, while priority data plans range from $250 to $1,000. The Roam Unlimited plan recently increased from $150 to $165 a month, but I’d say the added perks are worth the extra cost. In addition, Starlink also introduced a mini satellite dish that is best suited for travelers. Service starts at $50 or $165 monthly; this does not include the upfront equipment fee of $499.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet also launched a roaming plan of its own, T-Mobile Home Internet Away. At $110 a month for 200GB or $160 for unlimited data, the monthly rate is more in line with Starlink, although going with T-Mobile will save you a good bit on equipment costs.

What do customers think of Starlink and T-Mobile?

Both providers are fairly new to the home internet market, so there’s limited historical data tracking customer satisfaction trends from Starlink or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. But both seem to be off to a good start.

In its third year to include T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in its annual report and second year to distinguish fiber from nonfiber providers, the American Customer Satisfaction Index gave the ISP a score of 76 out of 100. The score, a three-point increase year over year, was well above the average for nonfiber providers (68) and T-Mobile took the top spot in the category. 

Starlink isn’t included in ACSI data, but an Ookla Speedtest Intelligence report from the first quarter of 2023 gives insight into customer reception and satisfaction. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Data from the report shows that Starlink had a significantly higher Net Promoter Score (a study of how likely a customer is to recommend a service) than the averaged score from all other ISPs despite having slower median download speeds. Starlink outperformed other ISPs exceptionally well in nonmetropolitan settings, which makes sense as the service is geared toward rural internet users.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet recap

Since entering the broadband space, Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet have improved high-speed availability and connectivity, particularly in areas where options have long been (and still are) highly limited.

Both providers provide significant upgrades in speed and reliability compared with other rural internet services However, if given the option of the two, go with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. It’s considerably cheaper than Starlink, upfront and month to month, while service is potentially faster and easier to get started.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet isn’t available everywhere. In areas where it doesn’t yet reach, Starlink is likely to be the best option for high-speed internet compared with geostationary satellite internet (Hughesnet, Viasat) or DSL internet.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet FAQs