STARLINK MONTHLY EQUIPMENT FEE: FULL UK AND US PRICE HISTORY
FROM THE $99 US BETA AND £89 UK LAUNCH TO TODAY'S £10 AND $10 RENTAL CHARGE
THE SHORT ANSWER
Starlink has changed both its monthly price and its hardware model several times since the service launched.
The US beta started in October 2020 at $99 per month plus $499 for the kit. Early UK customers paid £89 per month plus £439 for the kit from late 2020 and early 2021.
Prices later rose, fell, split by network capacity and became more dependent on the customer address. Starlink also moved from purchase-only hardware to rentals, free-kit commitments and temporary regional discounts.
The latest change is a £10 monthly equipment fee in the UK and a $10 fee in the USA on some new residential rental orders. With the current public service tiers used in this guide, that produces totals of £50, £70 and £90 in the UK, or $65, $95 and $140 in the USA before tax.
WHAT HAS STARLINK CHANGED?
Starlink has used several hardware models since launching its residential service. Customers have previously been asked to buy the dish, rent it for no extra monthly charge or accept free equipment in return for a fixed service commitment.
The latest checkout change keeps the low upfront price but adds a recurring rental charge. New customers can therefore see two separate monthly amounts:
| CHARGE | WHAT IT PAYS FOR |
|---|---|
| Monthly service price | Access to the Starlink satellite broadband network. |
| Monthly equipment fee | Use of the rented Starlink dish, router and associated kit. |
The fee has appeared across several countries, including the UK and USA. It is being shown mainly on new residential orders rather than as a universal charge applied to every account.
£0 UPFRONT IS NOT THE SAME AS FREE
The upfront hardware line can still show zero. The monthly rental charge is where Starlink now recovers part of the equipment cost.
HOW TO READ STARLINK'S PRICE HISTORY
There has not always been one national Starlink price. Since 2023, US prices have varied with local satellite capacity. More recent UK and US offers have also depended on the address, contract length and available hardware promotion.
The tables below record the main publicly reported residential milestones. They do not attempt to list every short-lived postcode or ZIP-code offer.
Service and hardware are shown separately because Starlink has moved between outright sales, rentals and commitment-based free-kit offers. Taxes, shipping, activation and installation are included only where a reliable figure was publicly reported.
THE CURRENT £10 OR $10 FEE IS NOT STARLINK'S FIRST RENTAL MODEL
UK customers could rent a kit for £15 per month in 2023, but that offer also carried a £99 activation fee. The June 2026 model removes the large upfront hardware payment and applies a smaller continuing charge.
STARLINK US RESIDENTIAL PRICE HISTORY
| DATE | MONTHLY SERVICE | HARDWARE | WHAT CHANGED? |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | $99 | $499 purchase | The Better Than Nothing public beta opened with one residential price. |
| March 2022 | $110 | $599 purchase | Starlink blamed inflation for its first large US increase. |
| February to April 2023 | $90 or $120 | Generally $599 | Residential pricing split between excess-capacity and limited-capacity areas. |
| 2024 | Address-dependent | Commonly $299 or $499 by area | Hardware discounts became another way to manage regional demand. |
| 2025 | Often around $120 for the main residential tier | $0 in selected 12-month offers | Some customers could receive the kit with a commitment and own it after completing the term. |
| Early 2026 | $50 / $80 / $120 | Address-dependent, sometimes $0 | Starlink introduced clearer 100Mbps, 200Mbps and Max residential tiers. |
| April 2026 promotion | $35 / $65 / $105 | $0 rental in eligible areas | Selected new customers received a temporary $15 monthly discount. |
| May 2026 | $55 / $85 / $130 | Varied by order | The three main tiers rose by $5, $5 and $10. |
| June 2026 | $55 / $85 / $130 | $10 monthly rental on affected orders | Full recurring totals became $65, $95 and $140 before tax. |
STARLINK UK RESIDENTIAL PRICE HISTORY
| DATE | MONTHLY SERVICE | HARDWARE OR RENTAL | WHAT CHANGED? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 2020 to early 2021 | £89 | £439 purchase, with £54 shipping also reported | The UK became Starlink's first market outside North America. |
| 2021 to mid-2022 | £89 | The kit later rose to around £529 | The original monthly price remained, but the upfront hardware became more expensive. |
| 24 August 2022 | £75 | Around £529 at the time | Starlink cut the monthly fee to reflect UK market conditions. |
| March 2023 rental launch | £75 | £15 monthly rental plus £99 activation, or £460 purchase | UK customers gained a lower-upfront rental route. |
| March 2023 promotion | £75 | Kit temporarily reduced to about £300 | Starlink used hardware discounts instead of cutting service again. |
| 2024 | Typically £75 | Typically £299 purchase | The lower hardware price became a common UK reference point. |
| June 2025 | From £75 | £0 in selected commitment offers instead of the usual £299 | Starlink began using free-kit offers to reduce the upfront barrier. |
| Late 2025 | Cheaper trials from about £55, with £75 standard service still common | Often £0 in eligible areas | Lower-speed Lite and 100Mbps plans began appearing. |
| January 2026 | £35 for selected 100Mbps areas | No upfront kit, but £75 professional installation was required in the reported offer | A much cheaper address-limited entry tier arrived. |
| March and April 2026 promotion | £25 / £45 / £65 for introductory periods | No upfront equipment in eligible areas | The entry plan dropped to £25 for six months, then returned to £35. |
| May 2026 | £40 / £60 / £80 | Order-dependent | Starlink raised the main tier prices after the spring promotions. |
| June 2026 | £40 / £60 / £80 | £10 monthly rental on affected orders | Full recurring totals became £50, £70 and £90. |
HOW STARLINK'S HARDWARE MODEL CHANGED
| MODEL | WHEN IT APPEARED | HOW THE CUSTOMER PAID | OWNERSHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outright purchase | 2020 launch onwards | $499 in the US or £439 in the early UK beta, with later price changes | Customer owned the kit. |
| Paid monthly rental | UK from March 2023 | £15 a month plus a £99 activation charge | Starlink retained ownership. |
| Free kit with commitment | Selected 2025 markets | £0 or $0 upfront with continuous service for the required term | Some offers transferred ownership after 12 months. |
| No-cost returnable rental | Selected 2025 and early 2026 orders | No hardware payment while the service remained active | The kit remained Starlink property. |
| Monthly kit access fee | June 2026 | £10 or $10 every month on affected residential rentals | The kit normally remains Starlink property. |
HOW THE FIRST-YEAR COST CHANGED
The first-year totals below combine 12 months of service with the main reported hardware, rental or activation charge. Shipping, tax and installation are excluded unless stated.
| EXAMPLE | CALCULATION | FIRST-YEAR TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| US launch beta, 2020 | $99 × 12 + $499 kit | $1,687 |
| US post-increase, 2022 | $110 × 12 + $599 kit | $1,919 |
| US limited-capacity area, 2023 | $120 × 12 + $599 kit | $2,039 |
| US entry rental total, June 2026 | ($55 service + $10 kit) × 12 | $780 before tax |
| UK launch beta, 2021 | £89 × 12 + £439 kit | £1,507, or £1,561 with the reported £54 shipping |
| UK rental option, March 2023 | £75 × 12 + £15 × 12 + £99 activation | £1,179 |
| UK standard purchase, 2024 | £75 × 12 + £299 kit | £1,199 |
| UK entry rental total, June 2026 | (£40 service + £10 kit) × 12 | £600 |
The large drop in first-year cost does not mean Starlink became cheaper in every area. It mainly reflects lower entry tiers and the shift from buying the dish upfront to paying for access over time.
CURRENT STARLINK UK COSTS
Starlink's current UK service page starts at £40 per month, with the main residential tiers tracked here at £40, £60 and £80. Availability remains address-dependent.
When a new order includes the £10 monthly rental-kit charge, the full recurring totals become £50, £70 and £90.
| EXAMPLE SERVICE PRICE | EQUIPMENT FEE | FULL MONTHLY TOTAL | ANNUAL TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| £40 | £10 | £50 | £600 |
| £60 | £10 | £70 | £840 |
| £80 | £10 | £90 | £1,080 |
These totals do not include optional installation, mounts or any one-off delivery charge. The checkout total for the service address is the figure that matters.
CURRENT STARLINK US COSTS
Starlink's US residential page currently advertises service starting at $55 per month. Recent reporting lists the three residential service tiers at $55, $85 and $130.
Adding the $10 hardware rental fee gives the following totals before state and local taxes:
| US PLAN PRICE | EQUIPMENT FEE | FULL MONTHLY TOTAL | ANNUAL TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55 | $10 | $65 | $780 |
| $85 | $10 | $95 | $1,140 |
| $130 | $10 | $140 | $1,680 |
US customers may also see professional installation, shipping or address-specific charges. Taxes are normally added after the advertised price.
HOW MUCH DOES THE RENTAL FEE COST OVER TIME?
A £10 or $10 charge can look small next to the broadband plan, but it becomes significant over a long subscription.
| TIME WITH STARLINK | UK RENTAL FEES | US RENTAL FEES |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | £120 | $120 |
| 24 months | £240 | $240 |
| 36 months | £360 | $360 |
| 48 months | £480 | $480 |
| 60 months | £600 | $600 |
The calculation assumes the fee stays unchanged. Starlink can alter its prices after giving the notice required by the customer's terms and local law.
WHAT DOES RENTING THE STARLINK KIT ACTUALLY MEAN?
A rented kit is not being paid off in monthly instalments unless the order says otherwise.
Starlink's rental terms state that rented hardware remains its property. The kit supplied may also be new or refurbished.
Rental customers normally cannot sell or transfer the equipment to another person because they do not own it. A customer who wants ownership must use an available purchase option rather than assume ownership will pass after a certain number of payments.
RENTAL PAYMENTS DO NOT BUILD EQUITY
Paying £360 or $360 over three years does not automatically make the dish yours.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CANCEL?
Customers renting a Starlink kit must normally return it after cancelling the service.
Starlink's terms say the kit should be returned in good condition within 30 days of cancellation. Normal wear may be accepted, but damaged, modified or missing equipment can lead to additional charges.
Starlink can charge the full retail price when rented equipment is not returned. The company should provide return instructions and a shipping label through the customer account.
Starlink also offers a 30-day return period for new orders. A timely return can qualify for refunds of eligible equipment, the first service payment and the applicable kit fee, subject to the exact order terms.
| AFTER CANCELLING | WHAT TO DO |
|---|---|
| Download the return label | Use the instructions in the Starlink account. |
| Pack every supplied item | Include the dish, router, cables and power equipment. |
| Keep proof of return | Save the tracking number until Starlink confirms receipt. |
| Check the final bill | Make sure no unreturned-kit charge has been added incorrectly. |
DOES THE FEE APPLY TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS?
The change has been reported on new residential orders. It has not been presented as an automatic fee for every existing customer.
Existing customers can have different arrangements. Some own their equipment, some use an older rental offer and others received hardware through a service commitment.
Do not assume your account has changed because the new checkout shows a fee. Check the next invoice and the service-line details inside the Starlink account.
If Starlink introduces a material change to an existing contract, it should provide notice under the applicable terms and consumer rules.
IS IT BETTER TO RENT OR BUY THE STARLINK KIT?
The answer depends on how long you expect to keep the service and the purchase price available to you.
| RENTING | BUYING | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost on day one | Often £0 or $0 for the hardware | A larger upfront payment |
| Monthly hardware charge | £10 or $10 | Normally none |
| Who owns the kit? | Starlink | The customer |
| After cancellation | The kit must normally be returned | The customer keeps it |
| Best suited to | Lower upfront cost or uncertain short-term use | Longer-term use when the purchase price is reasonable |
At $10 a month, rental payments reach $360 after three years. Some US retailers have sold the standard Starlink kit around the mid-$300 range, although retail prices and promotions change.
Renting can still be sensible when the property has not used Starlink before. It reduces the amount at risk if trees, buildings or the installation position prevent a reliable connection.
WHY HAS STARLINK INTRODUCED A MONTHLY FEE?
Starlink has not published a detailed explanation for the change.
There are several clear business reasons. Removing the large upfront payment makes it easier for a household to place an order. Charging monthly allows Starlink to recover the equipment cost over time and creates predictable recurring revenue.
The model is common among cable and broadband companies in the USA, where customers often pay monthly for a modem or router. It is less familiar to UK broadband customers because routers are usually included in the service price.
The timing is also notable. The equipment fee has arrived shortly after Starlink changed several service prices. New customers can therefore face a higher monthly broadband charge and a separate hardware fee at the same time.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE ORDERING STARLINK
| CHECK | WHY IT MATTERS |
|---|---|
| Full recurring total | The headline broadband price may exclude the equipment charge. |
| Rental or purchase | It decides who owns the equipment. |
| Return deadline | Missing it can lead to a retail-price penalty. |
| Installation cost | Roof fitting or professional installation can add hundreds. |
| Clear sky view | Obstructions can cause interruptions even when the plan is fast. |
| Other broadband options | Fibre, fixed wireless or 5G may cost less and avoid equipment rental. |
OUR VERDICT
The new rental fee makes Starlink easier to order but more expensive to keep.
For a household that needs satellite broadband immediately and cannot justify a large upfront purchase, £10 or $10 a month may be a reasonable trade-off.
For long-term customers, the numbers are less attractive. Three years of rental payments reach £360 or $360, and the equipment may still have to be returned.
The most important change is not the amount itself. It is that the headline service price no longer tells the whole story. Customers need to compare the complete monthly bill and understand whether they are renting or buying.
SOURCES
Reuters: Original US beta price of $99 monthly and $499 for hardware
Business Insider: Early UK price of £89 monthly and £439 for hardware
The Verge: 2022 US increase to $110 and $599
Ars Technica: 2023 US capacity pricing of $90 or $120
ISPreview: 2022 UK monthly reduction to £75
ISPreview: 2023 UK rental at £15 monthly plus £99 activation
ISPreview: 2025 UK free-kit commitment offer
ISPreview: Spring 2026 UK introductory prices
The Verge: May 2026 US prices of $55, $85 and $130
ISPreview: UK customers face a £10 monthly Starlink kit fee
Ars Technica: Starlink introduces a $10 monthly US hardware fee
Starlink: US residential pricing
Starlink: UK residential pricing
FAQS ABOUT STARLINK PRICES AND THE EQUIPMENT FEE
HOW MUCH DID STARLINK COST WHEN IT LAUNCHED IN THE USA?
The October 2020 public beta cost $99 per month plus $499 for the dish, router and mounting equipment.
HOW MUCH DID STARLINK COST WHEN IT LAUNCHED IN THE UK?
Early UK beta customers paid £89 per month and £439 for the kit. Shipping was also reported at £54.
HOW MUCH IS THE NEW STARLINK FEE IN THE UK?
The charge shown on some new UK residential rental orders is £10 per month. With the current £40, £60 and £80 service tiers, affected totals are £50, £70 and £90.
HOW MUCH IS THE NEW STARLINK FEE IN THE USA?
The US charge is $10 per month. With current service prices of $55, $85 and $130, affected totals are $65, $95 and $140 before tax.
WHEN DID STARLINK FIRST OFFER HARDWARE RENTAL IN THE UK?
Starlink introduced a UK rental option in March 2023 at £15 per month, alongside a £99 activation fee and £75 monthly service.
DO I OWN THE DISH AFTER PAYING THE MONTHLY FEE?
No. A normal rental kit remains Starlink property and must usually be returned after cancellation.
DOES THE FEE APPLY TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS?
It has appeared mainly on new orders. Existing customers should check their own bill rather than assuming their account has changed.
IS RENTING CHEAPER THAN BUYING?
It is cheaper upfront, but it adds £360 or $360 over three years without automatically transferring ownership. Long-term users should compare the total with an available purchase price.
STARLINK HAS MOVED FROM PURCHASES TO FLEXIBLE HARDWARE MODELS
Starlink began with a $499 US kit and a £439 UK kit. It later raised hardware prices, introduced UK rental, discounted the dish, offered free kits with commitments and now charges £10 or $10 monthly on some new rentals. The current fee lowers the first bill but can cost £360 or $360 over three years.