Is Starlink Good for Gaming?
THE 2026 REALITY CHECK
THE SHORT ANSWER
If you are jumping from old satellite internet, 4G, or slow DSL, Starlink feels like a different universe. For MMORPGs, strategy games, and casual shooters, it is absolutely solid. However, if you are a highly competitive ranked grinder in games like Valorant or CS2, you need to know about the occasional "micro stutters" before you commit.
THE GOOD STUFF: PING & SPEED
Old satellite internet was known for ping times of 600ms or more. Starlink is different because the satellites orbit much closer to Earth. When you load up a game, here is what you actually see:
- Ping (Latency): In practice, you will usually see it hover between 30 and 60 ms. On a good day, we have seen it dip into the 20s. This is totally playable for 95% of online titles.
- Download Speed: Speeds generally range from 50 to 200 Mbps. That is plenty for downloading huge game updates or streaming 4K content while you play.
- Upload Speed: Typically 10 to 20 Mbps, which is enough to handle Discord voice chat or basic streaming without choking your connection.
GAMES THAT RUN WELL
MMORPGs: World of Warcraft, FFXIV
RPGs: Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring (co-op)
Strategy: Civ VI, Total War
Casual Shooters: Fortnite (unranked), CoD (casual)
WHERE IT STRUGGLES
It is not perfect. Because your dish is constantly switching connections between satellites moving at thousands of miles per hour, you will experience occasional "packet loss" or jitter.
The "Micro-Stutter"
In a twitchy shooter like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, you might feel the game freeze for 0.5 seconds every 20 minutes or so. In casual play, you barely notice. In a high-stakes ranked match, that half-second is enough to lose you the round.
Weather Sensitivity
Heavy rain or thick snow can degrade the signal. It usually does not cut out completely, but your ping might spike from 40ms to 100ms+ during a heavy storm, which can feel rubber-bandy.
THE COMPARISON
| CONNECTION | LATENCY | VERDICT |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre Optic | 5-15 ms | King. If you can get fibre, get fibre. |
| Starlink | 30-60 ms | Great. The best option if you don't have fibre. |
| 4G / 5G | 40-100+ ms | Unstable. Highly dependent on tower load. |
| Old Satellite | 600+ ms | Unplayable. Impossible for online gaming. |
HOW TO OPTIMISE FOR GAMING
If you get Starlink, do not rely on the default Wi-Fi settings for gaming. Follow these steps to reduce lag.
- Use Ethernet (Wired): The standard Starlink router (Gen 2/3) typically needs an adapter to plug in an ethernet cable. Buy the adapter. Wi-Fi adds jitter; a cable eliminates it.
- Clear Sky View: Even a single tree branch blocking the view can cause a 2-second disconnect every few minutes. Use the app to check for obstructions.
- Gaming QoS: If you use a third-party router, enable "Quality of Service" (QoS) to prioritise your PC or console over someone streaming Netflix in the other room.
2026 PRICING UPDATE
Starlink has updated their pricing structure as of 2026. The big change is the rental model for Residential hardware, meaning zero upfront cost for the dish, though you must return it if you cancel.
🇬🇧 UK RESIDENTIAL PLANS (FIXED)
Hardware Cost: £0 (Rental). You must return the kit if you cancel.
| PLAN | SPEED CAP | COST | EXTRAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 | 100 Mbps | £35/mo | Select areas only |
| Residential 200 | 200 Mbps | £55/mo | Standard plan |
| Residential Max | 400+ Mbps | £75/mo | 🎁 Free Mini Rental (Requires discounted Roam plan) |
🇺🇸 USA RESIDENTIAL PLANS (FIXED)
Hardware Cost: $0 (Rental). You must return the kit if you cancel.
| PLAN | SPEED CAP | COST | EXTRAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 | 100 Mbps | $50/mo | Select areas only |
| Residential 200 | 200 Mbps | $80/mo | Standard plan |
| Residential Max | 400+ Mbps | $120/mo | 🎁 Free Mini Rental (Requires discounted Roam plan) |
🚐 ROAM PLANS (TRAVEL & MINI)
Hardware is NOT free on Roam; you must buy the 'Mini' or 'Standard' kit upfront.
| REGION | PLAN | HARDWARE COST | MONTHLY COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | 100GB Data | £159 (Mini) / £299 (Std) | £50/mo |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Unlimited | £159 (Mini) / £299 (Std) | £96/mo |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 100GB Data | $199 (Mini) / $349 (Std) | $50/mo |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Unlimited | $199 (Mini) / $349 (Std) | $165/mo |
GAMING FAQS
WHAT IS THE NAT TYPE ON STARLINK?
Starlink uses CGNAT (Carrier Grade NAT). This usually results in a Moderate NAT type. It is fine for most matchmaking, but you might struggle to "host" lobbies in some older peer-to-peer games.
DO I NEED THE RESIDENTIAL MAX PLAN?
For gaming? Not necessarily. The latency (ping) is usually the same on Residential 200 and Residential Max. The Max plan is better if you have multiple people gaming or streaming at the same time and want that extra bandwidth headroom.
DOES IT WORK FOR CLOUD GAMING (GEFORCE NOW/XBOX)?
Yes, but it is sensitive. Cloud gaming requires a perfectly stable stream. While Starlink has the speed for it (50+ Mbps), the micro-stutters can cause brief visual artifacts or input lag spikes.
VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BUY IT?
Casual Gamer? ✅ Yes. It is a game-changer for rural areas.
Ranked Grinder? ⚠️ Acceptable, but expect some frustration.
Rural Traveller? 🚀 Nothing else comes close.
