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Metronet

Internet service provider

vs
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Starlink

Low-earth orbit satellite, available almost anywhere

Metronet vs Starlink

Quick Answer

Starlink offers better value than Metronet in 2026. Starlink starts at $55/mo with speeds up to 400+ Mbps, beating Metronet at Contact for pricing for Varies. Both use comparable technology, so price is the main tiebreaker.

By Pablo Mendoza, Lead Analyst

Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.

SpeedTie
PriceStarlink
CoverageStarlink

Metronet and Starlink are two of the most searched internet providers in the United States. Below, we compare their plans, pricing, speeds, coverage, and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option for your home internet needs.

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Metronet vs Starlink: Key Findings

  • Both providers offer the same max speed of Varies
  • Starlink is more affordable starting at $55/mo vs Contact for pricing
  • Starlink has wider coverage: 29,327 vs 2,226 ZIP codes
  • Technology: Metronet uses Various, Starlink uses Satellite
  • Data caps: Metronet has a Varies cap; Starlink has a Unlimited (Residential) cap
  • Overall winner: Starlink (3 of 5 categories)

How Metronet and Starlink Compare

Metronet and Starlink are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. Metronet primarily uses various technology, while Starlink relies on satellite. This fundamental difference affects speed consistency, latency, and upload performance.

Both providers top out at Varies, so speed alone won't be the deciding factor. Focus instead on pricing, contract terms, and availability at your address. For most households of 2-4 people, a plan in the 200-500 Mbps range handles HD streaming, video calls, and general browsing with room to spare.

From a cost perspective, Starlink has the edge with plans starting at $55/mo versus Contact for pricing. Neither provider requires a long-term contract, giving you the flexibility to switch if you find a better deal. Both providers impose data caps (Varies for Metronet, Unlimited (Residential) for Starlink), so heavy users should factor in potential overage charges.

Quick Verdict

Winner

Starlink

  • Lower starting price ($55/mo)
  • Wider coverage (29,327 ZIPs)
  • No contract required
Runner-up

Metronet

  • No contract required

Check availability at your address

See which of these providers — and others — actually serve your exact address, with real speeds and pricing from FCC broadband data.

Metronet is a 100% fiber-to-the-home internet provider expanding across the Midwest and Southeast, offering symmetric speeds up to 5 Gbps. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is a low-Earth orbit satellite internet service available across all 50 U.S. states, designed primarily for rural and underserved areas.

Metronet vs Starlink: Side-by-Side Comparison
FeatureMetronetStarlink
Max Speed5 Gbps400+ Mbps
Starting Price$50/moPrice verified August 2026$55/moPrice verified August 2026
TechnologyFiber (FTTH)Low-Earth Orbit Satellite
ContractsNoNo
Data CapsNoNo

Metronet vs Starlink: Provider Details

Metronet and Starlink provider details side-by-side
DetailMetronetStarlink
Primary TechnologyFiber (FTTH)Low-Earth Orbit Satellite
Top Speed (Down/Up)5 Gbps400+ Mbps down / 40 Mbps up
Starting Price$50/mo$55/mo
CoverageRegional — 17 statesNational — 50 states
ContractNo contractNo contract
Data CapsNoneUnlimited (Residential)
HeadquartersEvansville, IndianaHawthorne, California
Notable Features100% fiber network • Symmetric speeds • No contractsAvailable virtually anywhere • Self-install kit • Low latency for satellite

Metronet Service & Install

Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM local time, Sat 9AM-5PM; 24/7 technical support; online chat available

Installation: Professional installation required for new fiber connections (free, 2-4 hours). Self-install available at locations with existing Metronet fiber. Whole-home Wi-Fi system $10/mo optional.

Starlink Service & Install

Customer service: Support via Starlink app and online portal only — no phone support; typical response within 24 hours; community forums available

Installation: Complete self-install kit ($349) shipped to your door. Mount dish with clear sky view (roof, pole, or ground). Starlink app guides setup and alignment (20-30 minutes). Professional installation now available in select areas; third-party installers also available.

Plans Compared: Metronet vs Starlink

Verified monthly pricing and typical download speeds for each provider's residential plans, sourced from FCC broadband label filings where available and otherwise from the provider's published plan pricing. Promotional and address-specific pricing may vary.

Metronet plans

Metronet internet plans and pricing
PlanSpeedPrice
Metronet 150M/150M Internet Access164 Mbps$29.95/mo
Metronet 100M/ 100M Internet Access108 Mbps$29.95/mo
Bulk Standard 150M/150M Internet Access164 Mbps$35/mo
Bulk Standard 500M/500M Internet Access505 Mbps$40/mo
Bulk Standard 1G/1G Internet Access944 Mbps$45/mo
Bulk Standard 200M/200M Internet Access205 Mbps$45/mo
See all Metronet plans & pricing

Starlink plans

Starlink internet plans and pricing
PlanSpeedPrice
Residential 100100 Mbps$55/mo
Residential 200200 Mbps$85/mo
Residential Max400 Mbps$130/mo
See all Starlink plans & pricing

Head-to-Head Comparison

Metronet vs Starlink feature comparison
FeatureMetronetStarlinkWinner
Max SpeedVaries400+ MbpsTie
Starting PriceContact for pricing$55/moStarlink Wins
Coverage (ZIP Codes)2,22629,327Starlink Wins
Primary TechnologyVariousSatelliteDepends on needs
Contract RequiredNoNoTie
Data CapVariesUnlimited (Residential)Tie

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you order through links on this page. Pricing, speeds, and availability vary by address and are subject to change; verify current terms with the provider before ordering.

Pros & Cons

Metronet

Pros

  • No contract required

Cons

  • More expensive starting price
  • Less coverage than Starlink
  • Has data cap (Varies)

Starlink

Pros

  • Lower starting price ($55/mo)
  • Wider coverage (29,327 ZIP codes)
  • No contract required

Cons

  • Has data cap (Unlimited (Residential))

Which Provider Should You Choose?

Choose Metronet if:

  • Metronet is available at your address

Choose Starlink if:

  • You want the lowest starting price
  • Starlink is available at your address

The Bottom Line

Both providers offer comparable maximum speeds. Choose Starlink for a more budget-friendly option (starting at $55/mo). Ultimately, the best provider depends on availability at your address, your speed requirements, and whether you prefer no-contract or no-contract plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, Metronet or Starlink?
Both Metronet and Starlink offer the same maximum speed of Varies. Metronet uses Various while Starlink uses Satellite, which may affect real-world performance and latency differently.
Which is cheaper, Metronet or Starlink?
Starlink has a lower starting price at $55/mo compared to Metronet at Contact for pricing. However, the total cost depends on the plan speed, promotional pricing, equipment fees, and contract terms. Always compare the specific plan you need rather than just the starting price.
Do Metronet and Starlink have data caps?
Metronet has a data cap of Varies. Starlink has a data cap of Unlimited (Residential). Both providers have data caps, so heavy users should check whether they can upgrade to unlimited plans.
Do Metronet or Starlink require a contract?
Neither Metronet nor Starlink requires a contract, so you can cancel or switch providers at any time without penalty.
Which has better coverage, Metronet or Starlink?
Starlink has wider coverage. Metronet serves 2,226 ZIP codes while Starlink serves 29,327 ZIP codes. However, coverage varies by location, so enter your ZIP code to check which providers are available at your address.
Is Metronet or Starlink faster?
Metronet and Starlink offer the same maximum speed of Varies. Metronet uses Various and Starlink uses Satellite, so real-world latency and upload speeds may differ.
Is Metronet cheaper than Starlink?
No, Starlink is actually cheaper. Starlink starts at $55/mo compared to Contact for pricing for Metronet. That's a $944 per month difference at the entry level. Final costs depend on the speed tier, equipment fees, and promotions.
Which is better, Metronet or Starlink?
Starlink is the better choice for most customers because of lower starting price ($55/mo vs Contact for pricing). However, the best provider depends on your location and priorities — Metronet uses Various while Starlink uses Satellite, and availability varies by address.
Can I get Metronet and Starlink at the same address?
In many areas, yes. Metronet (Various) and Starlink (Satellite) use different network infrastructure, so they often overlap in the same neighborhoods. Enter your ZIP code above to check which providers are available at your specific address.
Should I choose Metronet or Starlink?
The best choice depends on your priorities. Both offer equal max speeds. Starlink is more affordable starting at $55/mo. Consider factors like data caps, contract requirements, technology type, and availability at your address when making your decision.

Sources & Methodology

This Metronet vs Starlink comparison uses pricing, speed, and coverage data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, provider-published broadband nutrition labels, and Ookla speed test measurements. Plans and pricing are verified against each provider's current public offerings. Pricing, speeds, and availability are verified against provider broadband nutrition labels and may vary by location. For a detailed explanation of our data collection and scoring process, see our methodology page.

How We Score Providers

Our analysts rate every provider on a composite 1–5 scale using five weighted criteria, applied consistently across all reviews and comparisons:

  • Price (30%) — advertised plan pricing verified monthly against each provider's broadband nutrition labels.
  • Speed (25%) — advertised tiers cross-checked with third-party real-world speed test data.
  • Reliability (20%) — technology type, uptime signals, and FCC complaint data.
  • Coverage (15%) — FCC Broadband Data Collection availability records.
  • Customer Service (10%) — published satisfaction indices and verified support channels.

InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations. See our methodology for details.

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, June 2025

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