Starlink vs Amazon Leo: Complete 2026 Comparison

Key Takeaway

Starlink is the proven choice with 10,000+ satellites, 10M+ subscribers, and service in 150+ countries today. Amazon Leo has launched 200+ satellites and is rolling out consumer service in five countries by Q1 2026, but has no confirmed pricing and limited real-world performance data. Choose Starlink if you need satellite internet now. Watch Amazon Leo if you can wait.

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Feature	Starlink	Amazon Leo
Orbit type	LEO (540-570 km)	LEO (590-630 km)
Satellites in orbit	10,000+	210+
Planned constellation	12,000 (34,400 authorized)	7,736 (FCC authorized)
Download speed	50-400 Mbps	25-400 Mbps (projected)
Peak speed demonstrated	400+ Mbps	1 Gbps (single terminal test)
Upload speed	8-25 Mbps	Not yet published
Latency	20-40 ms	Not yet published
Monthly price	$80-$120 (residential)	Not announced
Equipment cost	$349 (Standard), $249 (Mini)	Under $400 target
Countries available	155+	5 (beta live Q1 2026)
Subscribers	10M+	Enterprise preview only
Contract required	No	Not announced
Data caps	None (residential)	Not announced
Self-install	Yes	Expected yes
Available to order today	Yes	Waitlist only

Starlink in 2026: The Established Leader

Constellation and Coverage

Starlink operates the largest satellite constellation in history. As of March 2026, SpaceX has launched over 11,500 Starlink satellites, with approximately 10,100 currently in orbit. The constellation accounts for roughly 65% of all active satellites orbiting Earth.

Service is available in 150+ countries across six continents, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and most of Europe. Notable exclusions include China, Russia, India, and Iran. SpaceX is targeting 25 million active monthly users by the end of 2026.

Speeds and Performance

Starlink advertises download speeds of 50-400 Mbps depending on the plan tier. According to Ookla’s speed test data, the median U.S. download speed reached 117.74 Mbps in 2025, up from 104.71 Mbps in Q1 2025. Most residential users report real-world speeds of 100-250 Mbps.

Latency is Starlink’s biggest advantage over legacy satellite providers. Typical latency falls between 20-40 ms, with Ookla reporting a 2025 median of 25.7 ms - comparable to many terrestrial broadband connections and suitable for video calls, online gaming, and real-time applications.

Plans and Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Speed (Download)	Data
Residential 100 Mbps	$50/mo	Up to 100 Mbps	Unlimited
Residential 200 Mbps	$80/mo	Up to 200 Mbps	Unlimited
Residential MAX	$120/mo	Up to 400 Mbps	Unlimited
Roam 100GB	$50/mo	Up to 300 Mbps	100 GB priority
Roam Unlimited	$165/mo	Up to 300 Mbps	Unlimited
Business	$250/mo	200-500 Mbps	Priority data

Equipment costs: Standard Kit at $349, Mini at $249 ($199 for new Roam customers), and Performance Kit Gen 3 at $1,999 for business use.

Subscriber Base

Starlink crossed 10 million subscribers in 2025, making it the world’s largest satellite internet provider by a wide margin. Ookla data shows Starlink accounted for 97.1% of all global satellite speed test samples in Q3 2025.

Amazon Leo in 2026: The Challenger Arrives

Background and Rebranding

Amazon’s satellite internet project began as “Project Kuiper” and was rebranded to “Amazon Leo” in November 2025. Amazon has committed over $10 billion to the initiative - one of the largest commercial space investments in history.

Constellation Status

As of March 2026, Amazon has approximately 210 satellites in orbit. The most recent major launch was on February 12, 2026, when an Ariane 64 rocket deployed 32 satellites on Amazon Leo’s first heavy-lift mission of the year.

Amazon has FCC authorization to deploy 7,736 satellites across orbital shells at 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km altitude (expanded from the original 3,236 in January 2026). The FCC milestone deadline requires a percentage of the original 3,236-satellite authorization in orbit by July 2026 - a target Amazon is widely expected to miss, prompting a likely deadline extension request.

Amazon has reserved 83 launches over five years across four launch providers: Blue Origin (New Glenn), United Launch Alliance (Vulcan Centaur), Arianespace (Ariane 6), and SpaceX (Falcon 9).

Terminal Hardware

Amazon has announced three customer terminal models:

Terminal	Dimensions	Target Use	Projected Price
Nano	7” x 7”	Portable, lightweight	Not announced
Pro	11” x 11”	Residential, fixed location	Under $400
Ultra	19” x 30”	Enterprise, business	Not announced

All three terminals use phased-array antenna technology. The compact size of the Pro terminal (11 inches square) is notably smaller than Starlink’s Standard dish.

Performance Claims

Amazon has demonstrated download speeds up to 1 Gbps in a single-terminal test using the Ultra dish (September 2025). The residential Pro terminal is projected to deliver 25-400 Mbps. Latency figures have not been officially published, but as a LEO constellation operating at similar altitudes to Starlink, comparable latency in the 20-50 ms range is expected once the constellation is sufficiently built out.

Launch Timeline and Availability

Amazon’s rollout plan targets five countries by Q1 2026: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and France. Expansion to 26 countries is planned by end of 2026, 54 countries by 2027, and 100 countries by 2028.

Currently, only an enterprise preview is active (launched November 2025). A public consumer waitlist exists, but no consumer accounts are shipping service yet.

Pricing

Amazon has not disclosed consumer pricing. The company has repeatedly emphasized “affordability” as a core mission, and industry analysts expect pricing to be competitive with - or slightly below - Starlink’s rates. Given Amazon’s history of subsidizing hardware to gain market share (Kindle, Echo, Fire TV), discounted terminal pricing is likely.

Coverage Comparison

Where Starlink Wins

Starlink is available today across 150+ countries with well-established service in North America, Europe, Oceania, parts of South America, and parts of Africa. If you need satellite internet right now, Starlink is your only LEO option.

Where Amazon Leo Will Compete

Amazon Leo’s initial five-country footprint (US, UK, Canada, Germany, France) covers the most lucrative broadband markets in the world. If Amazon can match Starlink on price and performance in these markets, it becomes a genuine alternative for tens of millions of potential customers.

The Constellation Gap

The difference in constellation size is significant. Starlink’s 10,000+ satellites provide dense, overlapping coverage that translates to consistent speeds and low congestion in most areas. Amazon Leo’s 210+ satellites mean early adopters will likely experience coverage gaps, variable speeds, and potentially higher latency until the constellation grows substantially.

Technology Differences

Both Starlink and Amazon Leo use LEO satellite constellations with phased-array antenna terminals - the fundamental technology is similar. Key differences include:

Inter-satellite links: Both constellations use optical inter-satellite links (laser connections between satellites), which reduce reliance on ground stations and improve routing efficiency for long-distance connections.

Terminal design philosophy: Amazon is emphasizing compact, lightweight terminals. The Nano terminal at 7” x 7” is significantly smaller than any Starlink option, potentially opening use cases for backpacking, cycling, or ultra-portable applications.

Orbital altitude: Starlink operates at 540-570 km, while Amazon Leo uses slightly higher orbits at 590-630 km. The difference is marginal and unlikely to produce meaningful latency differences.

Manufacturing: SpaceX builds Starlink satellites in-house at its Redmond, Washington facility. Amazon manufactures Leo satellites at its Kirkland, Washington facility. Both have invested heavily in high-volume production lines.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Starlink If:

• You need satellite internet today
• You live in any of the 150+ countries with coverage
• You want proven, real-world performance data
• You need reliable speeds for work-from-home or streaming
• You value a large, established user community and ecosystem of accessories

Wait for Amazon Leo If:

• You are not in a rush for satellite internet
• You live in one of the five initial launch countries
• You want to compare pricing before committing
• You are already in the Amazon ecosystem (Prime, AWS, etc.)
• You want the smallest possible terminal (Nano at 7” x 7”)

The Honest Assessment

As of March 2026, recommending Amazon Leo over Starlink for anyone who needs internet service today is impossible. Starlink has a massive head start: a fully deployed constellation, millions of active subscribers, and years of real-world performance optimization.

Amazon Leo has enormous potential. Amazon’s financial resources, logistics infrastructure, and existing customer base (200+ million Prime members) give it genuine competitive advantages. The 1 Gbps demonstration is promising. But potential and demonstrations are different from proven, daily service.

The best outcome for consumers is a competitive satellite internet market. If Amazon Leo delivers on its promises, pricing pressure and innovation will benefit everyone - including existing Starlink customers. For now, Starlink is the only proven choice.

FAQ

Is Amazon Leo the same as Project Kuiper?

Yes. Amazon rebranded Project Kuiper to “Amazon Leo” in November 2025. The satellite constellation, technology, and service plans are the same - only the name changed. “Leo” refers to the low Earth orbit (LEO) where the satellites operate.

When can I actually sign up for Amazon Leo?

As of March 2026, Amazon Leo is running an enterprise preview for select business customers. A consumer waitlist exists at Amazon’s website, but no consumer accounts are actively receiving service. Amazon targets initial consumer availability in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and France by end of Q1 2026, with broader availability later in the year.

Will Amazon Leo be cheaper than Starlink?

Amazon has not announced pricing, but the company has consistently emphasized affordability. Industry analysts expect competitive or slightly lower pricing than Starlink. Amazon has a track record of subsidizing hardware costs on products like Kindle and Echo to build market share, so discounted terminal pricing is possible.

Can I use Starlink now and switch to Amazon Leo later?

Yes. Starlink has no long-term contracts, so you can cancel at any time without early termination fees. If Amazon Leo launches with better pricing or performance in your area, you can switch. However, the hardware is not interchangeable - you would need to purchase a new Amazon Leo terminal.

How many satellites does each company have in orbit?

As of March 2026, Starlink has approximately 10,100 active satellites in orbit out of a planned 12,000 (with authorization for up to 34,400). Amazon Leo has approximately 210 satellites in orbit out of a planned 7,736. Starlink’s constellation is roughly 50 times larger than Amazon Leo’s current deployment.