Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Starlink (SpaceX) | Kuiper (Amazon) |
|---|---|---|
| Constellation Size | 12,000 authorised (42,000 applied) | 3,236 authorised |
| Active Satellites | ~9,850 | Early deployment phase |
| Orbital Altitude | 340–570 km | 590–630 km |
| Download Speed | 25–220 Mbps (real-world) | Up to 400 Mbps (target) |
| Latency | 25–60 ms | ~30 ms (target) |
| Commercial Launch | 2020 | 2025–2026 |
| Subscribers | 4+ million | Pre-launch |
| Dish Cost | $499 | Under $400 (target) |
| Monthly Price | $120/mo (residential) | TBD |
| Launch Vehicles | Falcon 9, Starship | Atlas V, Vulcan, Ariane 6, New Glenn |
| Inter-Satellite Links | Laser links (v1.5+) | Laser links planned |
Starlink's Advantages
SpaceX's biggest advantage is time. With nearly 10,000 satellites, millions of subscribers, and infrastructure in 100+ countries, Starlink is a proven, revenue-generating service. SpaceX also controls its own launch capability — Falcon 9 and eventually Starship — dramatically reducing deployment costs. Starlink v2 "Mini" satellites offer 4× the capacity of earlier versions.
Kuiper's Advantages
Amazon brings massive financial resources (Jeff Bezos has committed $10+ billion), an existing global customer base through AWS and Prime, and custom silicon (Project Prometheus) to reduce per-satellite costs. Amazon is targeting a sub-$400 terminal price — cheaper than Starlink's current $499 dish.
The FCC Deployment Deadline
Under FCC rules, Amazon must deploy at least half of its 3,236 satellites by July 2026. Amazon has contracted launches on ULA Vulcan, Ariane 6 and Blue Origin's New Glenn. Meeting this timeline is widely considered the biggest risk for Project Kuiper.
Which Should You Choose?
As of early 2026, Starlink is the only option with widespread commercial availability. Kuiper is not yet offering consumer service. For anyone who needs satellite internet today, Starlink is the clear choice. When Kuiper launches commercially, competition should drive prices down and improve service for both.