Starlink Business vs Residential comes down to what the connection is for. Residential is Starlink’s plan for a household at one address, with unlimited data. Business is a separate account type built for commercial use: it runs on Starlink’s Priority plans, with priority data, a publicly routable IPv4 address, a service-level agreement and 24/7 priority support, and it costs more. This guide compares the two on priority, hardware, IP address, support, cost and business use, and helps you decide which one you need.
How this guide was written: it is a research-based guide built from Starlink’s Help Center articles and plan documents (linked throughout and listed at the end) and from published coverage of Starlink’s plan changes. It is not a hands-on test of either plan. Starlink changes its plans often and prices vary by location, so we keep exact prices out of the text; check Starlink’s order pages for yours. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Priority and reliability: Business runs on Priority plans, so your traffic is served ahead of lower-priority traffic when a cell is busy. Residential is unlimited but has lower priority, and its tiers differ from each other.
- Data: Residential includes unlimited data. Business Priority plans include a set amount of priority data (for example 50 GB to 2 TB blocks per month); after you use it, Starlink says service continues at a throttled speed of up to 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up.
- Network features: Priority plans include a publicly routable IPv4 address and, according to Starlink’s materials, a 99.9% network availability service-level agreement (SLA). Residential uses Starlink’s standard shared addressing.
- Support: Business customers get 24/7 priority support. Residential support runs through the Starlink app and Help Center.
- Hardware: which dish you need depends on the plan and your country, so check the order page. Kits differ in field of view, power draw and snow melt.
- Business use: Starlink’s terms restrict commercial use of Residential and Roam plans. Read them before running a business on Residential.
- Cost: Business costs more in hardware and monthly service. Whether it pays off depends on what downtime costs you.
- Starlink Service Plans Made Simple: What You Really Get
- Deep Dive: Residential vs Business – What's the Real Difference?
- Side-by-Side Comparison: Starlink Business vs Residential
- Who Should Choose Which Plan?
- Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask
- The Future of Starlink
- Conclusion: Choosing Your Perfect Starlink Solution
- Official Starlink Resources Used in This Guide
- FAQ's
Starlink Service Plans Made Simple: What You Really Get
Starlink sells three kinds of service that people confuse. Residential is for a home, Roam is for moving around, and Business is for commercial customers. This page compares Residential and Business. For Roam, see Roam vs Residential.
| Plan family | Meant for | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Households at a fixed address | Unlimited data; priority depends on the tier |
| Roam | Personal use in different places | Lower priority; data tiers |
| Business | Companies and commercial sites | Priority plans, routable IPv4, SLA, 24/7 priority support |
Starlink Residential: Perfect for Home Users
Residential is designed for families and individuals. Since early 2026 Starlink sells three Residential tiers: Residential 100 Mbps, Residential 200 Mbps (formerly Residential Lite) and Residential Max (formerly standard Residential). All include unlimited data, subject to Starlink’s fair use policy, and they differ in speed and network priority; Max has the highest priority among the Residential plans. Details are in What are the Residential plans? and our Residential Lite guide.
Residential suits people who use the internet for:
- Streaming and browsing
- Online gaming
- Video calls and remote work from home
- General household use across several devices
Prices and speeds for Residential vary by location and change over time, so we don’t list them here. Starlink publishes typical speeds on the plan pages and in the help article for each tier.
Starlink Business: Enhanced Connectivity for Critical Operations
A Starlink Business account is meant for companies. According to Starlink’s What is Starlink Business? article and its Local Priority and Global Priority article, a Business account lets you:
- Order as many Starlinks as you need and manage all service locations from one dashboard
- Choose Local Priority (land and inland waters within one country) or Global Priority (international land use and ocean coverage) for each service location
- Buy priority data in blocks (Local Priority is offered in 50 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB monthly options, and you can add more)
- Get 24/7 priority customer support, a publicly routable IPv4 address and, according to Starlink, a 99.9% network availability service-level agreement on Priority plans
Starlink changed its Priority plans in 2025: once your priority data runs out, service no longer continues at unlimited best-effort speed. Starlink says you continue with unlimited non-priority data at throttled speeds of up to 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up, unless you add more priority data. Older articles (including earlier versions of this page) describe the previous behavior.
Deep Dive: Residential vs Business – What’s the Real Difference?
The two plans use the same satellites, so the differences come from priority, features and terms, not from a separate network. Here is how they differ in the areas that decide most purchases.
Performance: The Speed You Need
On a quiet network, headline speeds can look similar because the satellites are the same. The gap shows up under load. Business traffic on a Priority plan is served ahead of lower-priority traffic when a cell is congested, while Residential traffic is served according to its tier, and Roam is served last. Starlink publishes typical speed ranges on its plan pages rather than guarantees, and they change, so we don’t copy specific numbers here.
| Situation | Residential | Business (Priority) |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet cell | Fast on any tier | Fast |
| Busy cell in the evening | Depends on tier; lower tiers slow first | Served with priority while you have priority data |
| After priority data is used | Not applicable (data is unlimited) | Throttled to about 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up until more data is added |
| Weather or a blocked view | Affected | Affected the same way |
Example scenario (illustrative): A small office with eight staff joins video calls all day and uploads large files in the afternoon. On a shared, lower-priority plan the calls may stutter when the cell is busy. On a Priority plan with enough data for their monthly use, the calls stay steadier, but only as long as they keep priority data available. If they run out mid-month, speeds fall to the throttled rate.
Hardware: The Dish Makes a Difference
Residential customers typically receive a Standard kit: a dish, a Wi-Fi router, a power supply and cables. Business customers can order kits such as the Performance or Flat High Performance dish. Which kits you can choose depends on your country and plan, and sources disagree on whether a Business account in the US must use the High Performance kit, so check the order page before you buy. Starlink’s spec sheets list the Performance kit with a higher snow melt rate and a survivable wind rating (see our bad weather guide), and its power draw is higher too:
| Kit | Average power (Starlink spec sheets) | Snow melt (up to) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | About 20–40 W | 25 mm per hour |
| Performance (Gen 3) | About 75–100 W | 75 mm per hour |
| Flat High Performance | About 110–150 W | See spec sheet |
Higher-performance kits draw more power and cost more, so plan for that; see our power consumption guide. Spec sheets: Mini, Standard, Performance.
Cost Considerations
Business costs more in two places: the hardware, and the monthly plan, which is built from a service fee plus priority data. Prices differ by country and change, so use Starlink’s Business plans page for current numbers. When you compare, add up these items for both plans:
| Cost item | Residential | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Standard kit (price varies by offer) | Kit of your choice; higher-performance kits cost more |
| Monthly service | One price per tier, unlimited data | Service fee plus priority data blocks |
| Extra data | Not needed | Add data blocks if you use more than your allowance |
| Support and SLA | Standard | 24/7 priority support; SLA on Priority plans |
The best way to decide whether Business is “worth it” is to compare the extra monthly cost with the cost of downtime. Divide the extra cost by what one hour of lost connectivity costs your business: the result is how many hours a month Business must save you to break even.
Example scenario (illustrative): Illustrative numbers only: suppose Business would cost $150 a month more than Residential, and an hour of downtime costs a shop $100 in lost sales and staff time. The break-even is 1.5 hours a month (150 ÷ 100). If Residential’s peak-hour slowdowns cost you more than that, Business pays for itself; if not, it doesn’t. These prices are examples, so use your own numbers.
Network Priority and Data Allocation
Priority is the core difference. Starlink describes priority data as data that is served with network priority over lower-priority data. On Business Priority plans you buy a monthly allowance, and Starlink’s article How can I manage my data on Local/Global Priority plans? explains how to track and add to it.
| Question | Residential | Business Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Is data unlimited? | Yes (fair use applies) | Priority data is limited; then throttled |
| Who is served first when busy? | Depends on tier | Priority data is served ahead |
| Can I add more? | Change tier | Add data blocks (in 50 GB or 500 GB steps, per Starlink) |
This is why heavy, steady use matters when you pick a plan. A business that uses 300 GB a month needs an allowance that covers 300 GB, or it will spend part of each month throttled. Residential doesn’t have that cliff, but it doesn’t have priority either.
Example scenario (illustrative): A workshop uploads security-camera video and cloud backups every night, about 40 GB a day. That is roughly 1.2 TB a month, so a 500 GB block would run out in under two weeks. A Residential plan’s unlimited data may fit that pattern better than a small Priority block, while a larger block or more blocks may suit a workplace that needs priority in the daytime. Match the block size to your monthly use.
Technical Features for Business Needs
Business accounts include features many commercial setups need:
- Publicly routable IPv4 address. Starlink’s Priority plans include one. Residential accounts use Starlink’s default shared (CGNAT) IPv4 addressing, which does not allow inbound connections (Starlink offers a public IPv4 option on some plans). This matters for hosting, remote desktop and VPN servers. See our static IP guide and site-to-site VPN guide.
- IPv6. Starlink supports IPv6, which helps for some hosting and remote-access setups.
- Multi-site management. One account can manage many service locations.
- Service-level agreement. Starlink lists a 99.9% network availability SLA for Priority plans.
- Reseller and enterprise options for larger deployments.
VPNs and VoIP work on Residential too; the difference is that a Business plan’s routable IP and priority make them easier to host and more consistent.
Customer Support When You Need It
Starlink says Priority plans include 24/7 priority customer support. Residential support runs through the Starlink app and Help Center. For any support contact, use the channels shown inside your own Starlink account or on starlink.com. Don’t trust phone numbers from search results or ads, because scammers use them.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Starlink Business vs Residential
A quick reference for the points covered above:
| Feature | Starlink Residential | Starlink Business (Priority) |
|---|---|---|
| Target user | Homes and families | Companies and commercial sites |
| Plans | Residential 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, Max | Local Priority, Global Priority (data blocks) |
| Data | Unlimited (fair use) | Priority data block, then throttled to about 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up |
| Network priority | By tier; Max is highest | Priority while you have priority data |
| IP address | Shared (CGNAT) IPv4 | Publicly routable IPv4 |
| SLA | None listed | 99.9% network availability (Priority plans) |
| Support | App and Help Center | 24/7 priority support |
| Hardware | Standard kit typical | Higher-performance kits available; check the order page |
| Multi-site management | No | One account, many locations |
| Commercial use | Restricted by terms | Intended use |
| Price | Lower; varies by location | Higher; hardware plus priority plan |
Who Should Choose Which Plan?
Perfect Scenarios for Residential
Residential is a good fit if:
- You are a family or individual in a location with few alternatives
- You need reliable internet for streaming, calls, school and working from home
- You want the lowest cost and unlimited data
- Your usage is moderate and you don’t need a public IP or an SLA
Example scenario (illustrative): A retired couple lives in a rural home with slow DSL. They want video calls with family and streaming without buffering. Residential fits: unlimited data, a modest monthly cost, and no need for commercial features.
When Business Makes Sense
Consider a Business account if you are:
- A company that depends on the connection to earn revenue
- An organization with many users and steady heavy demand
- Running servers, remote desktop, or IP-restricted services that need a public IP
- Managing several sites from one account
- Operating where you need an SLA and 24/7 priority support
- Offering internet access to customers or guests (see the next section)
Example scenario (illustrative): A remote lodge wants to offer guest Wi-Fi. Providing internet access to guests is a commercial service, and Residential terms are reported to prohibit it, so a Business account is the plan built for it. The lodge sizes its priority data to its guest numbers and checks the current terms before launch.
Related: Starlink Roam vs Residential: Key Differences Explained
Can You Use Starlink Residential for Business?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is “it depends on what you mean”. Starlink’s terms restrict commercial and enterprise use of Residential and Roam plans, and press coverage of the terms says the restriction is aimed at commercial services delivered to third parties, such as guest Wi-Fi at a hotel or rental property. Internal home-office work (calls, cloud software, email) is a gray area that people read differently, and using the wrong plan for a commercial purpose risks account action.
We can’t interpret Starlink’s terms for you. Read the current Service Plan Descriptions and the terms of service, and if your use is commercial, use a Business account. Our advice is to err on the side of the plan that matches your use.
Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask
When deciding between Starlink Residential and Business, ask yourself:
- How much does an hour of downtime or slow internet cost you?
- How many people and devices will be connected at the same time, and when?
- Do you need a public IP address for hosting, remote access or VPN?
- Do you need an SLA or 24/7 priority support?
- Will customers or guests use the connection?
- How much data will you use each month, and does a priority data block cover it?
- What is your budget for hardware and monthly service?
| If your answer is… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Home use, moderate load | Residential | Unlimited data, lower cost |
| Business use with customers or guests | Business | Terms and features fit |
| Need a public IP or SLA | Business | Included in Priority plans |
| Very heavy, steady data use | Compare both | Residential unlimited vs Priority data blocks |
| Travel with the dish | Roam or Local Priority | Fixed-address plans don’t travel |
The Future of Starlink
Starlink’s plans change often. These recent changes show why you should confirm details before you buy:
| Change | When | What it meant |
|---|---|---|
| Priority plans replaced by Local and Global Priority | March 2025 | Unlimited best-effort data after priority data was removed; throttled speed instead |
| Residential lineup renamed | January 2026 | Lite became 200 Mbps; standard became Max |
| Global Roam discontinued | August 2026 | Long-term international users pointed to Global Priority |
Upcoming Satellite Launches and Network Expansion
Starlink keeps launching satellites and has said it is developing larger next-generation ones. More capacity can reduce congestion for every plan, but Starlink hasn’t promised specific speed or priority changes for either plan, so don’t buy on a promise.
Anticipated Service Enhancements
We don’t predict specific features. To stay current, check Starlink’s Business plans page and Help Center before ordering, and re-check your account’s plan options periodically.
You can always check starlink.com for the most current offerings, pricing and availability for your location.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Perfect Starlink Solution
Both plans are strong options where traditional internet is limited. Residential is the affordable, unlimited choice for homes. Business costs more and adds priority data, a public IP, an SLA and 24/7 priority support for companies that can’t afford downtime.
Match the plan to the use: if the connection earns you money, serves customers or hosts services, choose Business and size the data to your use. If it serves a household, choose Residential and pick the tier that fits your evening use. Not sure of your traveling needs? See Roam vs Residential.
Official Starlink Resources Used in This Guide
Plans, prices and terms change. These are the Starlink pages this guide is based on, so you can check the current wording:
- What is Starlink Business?
- What are Local Priority and Global Priority service plans?
- How can I manage my data on Local/Global Priority plans?
- How do I upgrade to Starlink Business?
- Getting Started with Starlink Business & Enterprise
- What are the Residential plans?
- Starlink Business
- Starlink Business service plans
- Service Plan Descriptions (terms)
FAQ’s
Can I upgrade from Starlink Residential to Business?
Yes. Starlink’s How do I upgrade to Starlink Business? article says to place a new Business order at starlink.com/business with the same email address as your current account. If you want to keep your current dish, you first transfer the device and then activate it on the Business account. Whether your existing dish is allowed on the Business plan you choose depends on the plan and country, so check before you order.
Is the Business plan faster than Residential in every location?
Not necessarily. Business gets priority, which helps most when a cell is busy. On a quiet network both can perform alike, and weather and sky view affect both the same way.
Can I use Starlink Business at home?
You can order a Business account for any eligible service address. It costs more than Residential and is built around commercial features, so it makes sense at home only if you need them, for example a public IP, an SLA or heavy priority use.
Are there data caps on either plan?
Residential includes unlimited data (fair use applies). Business Priority plans come with a monthly priority data allowance; once it is used, Starlink says you continue with unlimited non-priority data at throttled speeds of up to 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up, unless you add data blocks.
Does Starlink support VoIP or VPN for business?
Yes, both work over Starlink. A Business plan’s public IP and priority make hosting a VPN or VoIP system more practical. See our static IP guide and site-to-site VPN guide.
What kind of customer support comes with each plan?
Starlink says Priority plans include 24/7 priority customer support. Residential support runs through the Starlink app and Help Center. Use only the contact options inside your Starlink account or on starlink.com.
Can I use Starlink Residential for my business?
Starlink’s terms restrict commercial and enterprise use of Residential and Roam plans. Read the current terms; if your use is commercial (especially anything provided to third parties), use a Business account. See the section above and Service Plan Descriptions.
What is Local Priority vs Global Priority?
Local Priority is for use within one country on land and inland waters. Global Priority adds international land use and ocean coverage. Both are Priority plans with monthly priority data blocks. See What are Local Priority and Global Priority service plans?
What happens when I run out of priority data?
Starlink says service continues with unlimited non-priority data at throttled speeds of up to 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up. You can add more priority data to restore priority speeds.
Do Business plans include a static IP?
Starlink says Priority plans include a publicly routable IPv4 address. Residential accounts use shared IPv4 addressing by default. See our static IP guide.
