Which Starlink Plan Should You Choose? A Simple Breakdown
Starlink changed its hardware model in 2026, overhauled Roam plans in July, and added a plan for boaters. Here is the current breakdown to help you choose the right Starlink plan for your setup.
If you have ever looked at Starlink's website and wondered which plan is right for you, you are not alone. Between the Standard dish, the High Performance dish, and the Mini, plus plans like Residential, Roam, Business, and now Personal Maritime, it can look complicated at first.
Once you break it down by how you use Starlink, the choice becomes simple.
What Changed in 2026
Starlink moved residential hardware to a rental model, restricted international travel on Roam plans, and introduced Personal Maritime for private boat owners. It also brought back one of its best offers.
Hardware Changes
Residential plans moved to a rental model. New customers do not own the dish. If you cancel service, you return the hardware or get charged retail cost. Starlink has adjusted the monthly hardware fee more than once this year, so check what your address shows at checkout before you commit.
The Mini is a purchase, not a rental, when bought with a Roam plan. It costs 199 dollars outright, or 16 dollars per month for 12 months at zero percent interest. Roam plan changes and Standby Mode are both still allowed on the installment option.
The Standard 4X dish is available again to buy directly from Starlink with Roam service for 349 dollars. Starlink had pulled it as an option for new Roam customers in July, then reversed course less than a month later.
The Residential Max Offer: Free Mini and Half Price Roam
This is the best value in Starlink's current lineup, and it is easy to miss.
Sign up for Residential Max at 130 dollars per month and you can add an optional Starlink Mini Kit at no monthly hardware cost. The Mini arrives activated on Standby Mode at 10 dollars per month, and you can switch it to a high speed Roam plan whenever you travel.
Those Roam plans come at half price for as long as you keep Residential Max active:
| Plan | With Residential Max | Standard price |
|---|---|---|
| Roam 100 GB | $27.50/mo | $55/mo |
| Roam 300 GB | $40/mo | $80/mo |
| Roam Unlimited | $87.50/mo | $175/mo |
You can switch between them anytime, and drop back to Standby Mode at 10 dollars per month when you are parked.
A few things to know. The Mini is a rental under this offer, so if you cancel or downgrade Residential Max you return the kit or pay retail. The offer is US and Canada only. Eligible customers get an email to claim the Mini after signup.
If you already run Starlink at home and were planning to buy a Mini for travel, run this math first. Half price Roam Unlimited at 87.50 dollars per month changes the calculation for a lot of setups, including boats.
Roam Plan Changes (July 2026)
Starlink discontinued its Global Roam plan and tightened international rules on the rest.
Roam 100 GB and Roam 300 GB no longer support international travel. These are domestic plans now. Existing customers were transitioned in August.
Roam Unlimited still supports international travel, capped at 30 days per trip, down from 60. After 30 days you return to your home country for at least 30 days before traveling again.
Grouped countries exception. Travel between countries in the same region does not count against the 30 day window. For US customers, home country covers the US, Canada, and associated territories like Guam and Puerto Rico. For European customers it spans most of the continent. Snowbirds and cross border travelers inside these groups are not affected.
Identity verification is required for international Roam use. Expect a passport scan and a facial scan through your phone.
Personal Maritime Plan (August 2026)
Starlink answered backlash from the sailing community with a plan built for private boat owners.
Personal Maritime runs 185 dollars per month. You get unlimited data in territorial waters worldwide, which Starlink defines as within 12 nautical miles of shore. There is no 30 day international travel limit, so full time cruising works. Rare exceptions apply where local regulations require them.
Ocean Mode is getting more expensive. Anything past the 12 nautical mile line needs Ocean Mode, which moves from 2 dollars per GB to 6 dollars per GB on September 27. This increase hits Roam Unlimited subscribers too, not just Personal Maritime. Open ocean passages add up fast at that rate. Only budget for this plan if you expect to stay under roughly 10 GB of Ocean Mode use.
Who it is for. Personal vessels only. Starlink's terms exclude watercraft over 40 feet in length overall, along with yachts, ferries, and commercial fishing boats. Those still need the priority maritime plans, which start well above 185 dollars per month. Personal Maritime is not valid on land.
How to get it. Access is still rolling out and it is not a dashboard toggle. You request it through a support ticket with your vessel name, flag state, length overall, and a unique ID such as a Hull Identification Number.
Bottom line: the dish is rented on Residential plans now, and the free hardware era is mostly over. Plan for hardware as part of your cost, and confirm your plan's travel rules before you commit.
Why Starlink Pricing Works the Way It Does
Starlink built different plans for different lifestyles. Some people stay in one place. Others live on the road. Some run businesses that need stronger and more reliable data.
There are two costs to think about.
The hardware. On Residential plans the dish is a rental. On the Mini you buy the hardware outright at 199 dollars, or finance at 16 dollars per month for 12 months, unless you get it through the Residential Max offer.
The monthly service. This depends on the plan and your region.
Pricing changes based on your country, and Starlink runs seasonal promotions, so it is worth checking before you buy.
The Main Starlink Plans
Here is a simple look at current Starlink plans in the United States. Prices vary by country and Starlink runs region specific promotions.
| Plan | Price per month | Typical download speed |
|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 Mbps | $55 | up to about 100 Mbps |
| Residential 200 Mbps | $85 | up to about 200 Mbps |
| Residential Max | $130 | up to about 400 Mbps |
| Roam 100 GB (domestic only) | $55 | about 65 to 260 Mbps |
| Roam 300 GB (domestic only) | $80 | about 65 to 260 Mbps |
| Roam Unlimited | $175 | about 65 to 260 Mbps |
| Personal Maritime | $185 | similar to Roam speeds |
| Standby Mode | $10 | 1 Mbps down, 0.5 Mbps up |
| Business | from $65 | priority speeds, varies by tier |
Standby Mode keeps your account active and your dish updated at low speed. It is a stationary plan and is no longer intended for in motion use.
What You Get for the Price
No matter which plan you choose, you get access to the Starlink satellite network. That means fast internet almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
Your kit includes the dish, the router, and the cables you need to set it up. It does not include a mount. If you plan to use Starlink on a van, RV, camper, boat, or off grid cabin, the mount matters as much as the dish.
The Starlink Mini
The Mini is Starlink's smallest portable dish. It is light, uses less power, and is easy to take with you. It was built for travel, overlanding, boating, and off grid adventures.
Keep it in your backpack or mount it to your roof and get online almost anywhere.
Hardware costs 199 dollars outright or 16 dollars per month for 12 months. Roam plans start at 55 dollars per month for 100 GB, with a 300 GB tier at 80 dollars and unlimited at 175 dollars. Both capped plans are domestic only. Capped plans come with limited priority data, so speeds can slow during busy hours. For most travelers that is still enough to stream, check weather, work remotely, and stay connected.
If you have Residential Max at home, get the Mini through that offer instead. Same hardware, no monthly hardware cost, and Roam at half price.
Pair it with the Mini Speedmount and you have a small, powerful setup that works almost anywhere. If you are still shopping for the dish, here is where to buy Starlink Mini.
After You Pick a Plan: How to Mount It
Once you have your plan and hardware, the next step is mounting the dish. A secure, low profile mount improves performance and makes your setup safer. Explore TRIO's Starlink mounting solutions to find the right fit. Our guide on how to choose a Starlink mount covers surfaces, wind exposure, and dish models in more detail.
Metal roofs
Rubber coated magnets are the easiest and cleanest option. They hold strongly, do not scratch, and come off quickly when needed.
Fiberglass or aluminum roofs
Two no drill options work well here.
- VHB landing pads
- VHB magnetic discs for a semi permanent setup that can be removed later
Smooth surfaces like glass or flat panels
Suction cups are a simple way to mount the dish temporarily when you are parked.
Low profile roof setups
The Mini Speedmount keeps the dish flat so it handles wind, rain, rough roads, and highway speeds. Drive, park, move your rig, and skip the tripod falling over or blowing away.
Boats and marine setups
Salt spray and constant motion are hard on a dish. The Maritime Flat High Performance Speedmount holds the High Performance dish flat and locked down at speed, which matters more now that Starlink has a plan aimed squarely at cruisers.
Tips for Getting the Best Value
- Choose a plan that matches how you actually use Starlink
- Check the Residential Max offer before buying a Mini separately, since half price Roam adds up fast
- Confirm the current hardware fee at your address, since Starlink has changed it more than once this year
- A proper mount is worth it, the tripod is not made for wind or travel
- Check regional pricing since Starlink changes rates by location
- Use twelve volt setups for mobile rigs to save power and run smoother
- If you travel internationally, confirm your plan supports it before you commit
- If you spend long stretches on the water, compare discounted Roam Unlimited against Personal Maritime before renewing
Final Thoughts
Starlink gets easy to understand once you focus on how you will use it. Home users, full time travelers, weekend adventurers, boat owners, and remote workers all have different needs.
Pick the right plan and the right mount and Starlink gives you internet anywhere with open sky.
Before you order, think about:
- Where you will take it
- How often you travel
- Whether international travel matters to you
- Which dish fits your setup
- Which mount keeps it stable and low profile
Whether you choose Residential, Roam, Personal Maritime, or the Mini, you will know exactly what you are paying for and why it makes sense.
