Difference Between Starlink Residential and RV –  A Comprehensive Comparison

Noah Clark

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About the Difference Between Starlink Residential and RV, Starlink offers several internet packages, such as Starlink business, residential, and RV, to cater to varied customer needs. 

While the business package is for commercial usage, most people wonder what the difference is between Starlink residential and RV. 

The short answer is Starlink residential is for people with stationary dwellings, and Starlink RV is for campers or nomads. 

However, there is much more to this distinction when you consider the cost, performance, and advantages of each.

 This article will discuss these differences comprehensively to help you choose the right Starlnk plan for your needs.

Table of Contents

While there might be technical functionality differences between Starlink RV and residential, the equipment is the same.

 Both users get a regular dish, cable, router, and tripod stand. However, the distinction lies in the accessories available. 

For Starlink RV, the only available accessory is the RV case. Therefore, you must outsource mounts and DC power supply from third-party vendors. 

Conversely, there are several accessories available for the residential plan. 

These include network accessories such as mesh node and ethernet adapters, pipe adapters, pivot, and flash mounts.

Note that Starlink does allow you to use the regular dish while your RV is in motion.

 If you need to use it while driving, consider ordering the $2500 dish optimized for vehicles in motion.

Starlink hardware

Starlink hardware

Another key difference between the two is the download and upload speed performance. 

Regarding speed, Starlink Residential is the clear winner with 20-100 Mbps download speeds and 5-15 Mbps upload speeds. 

In contrast, the RV plan comes with 5-50 Mbps speeds for downloads and 2-10 Mbps for uploads. 

Therefore, the residential plan is better for downloading files, streaming movies, and gaming. However, both plans experience the same latencies between 20 to 40 ms.

Additionally, while there is no data cap for both plans, residential users get prioritized over RV plan users. It means you get up to 1TB of data monthly and experience uncapped speeds. 

But if you are an RV user, you always get deprioritized, which can lower your internet performance during network congestion.

Since the equipment is the same for both plans, the cost of purchasing them is also $599. 

However, the monthly subscription is where you experience disparate. Suppose you opt for the residential plan; you pay $110 per month. 

For regional roaming, you pay $135, which is $25 more than those who opt for the RV package.

 You can also pay $200 for global roaming, subject to the service availability in your area. 

Amazingly, you can pay the extra $25 if they wish to use your residential plan as a roaming one. 

But you can only use the acquired roaming for up to two months, then return to your original address. 

Failure to return to your ordering address will result in you being permanently locked in the new location.

Another difference in the cost is that RV users can order a $2500 dish, an option absent for residential packages. 

As we saw earlier, this dish is engineered for usage when your camper is in motion. 

Unlike the $599 dish, this one doesn’t have the self-tilting mechanism; hence it installs flat on your RV’s roof.

The best package is the Starlink residential when you compare the lower cost yet, the higher speed.

 But think about the ability to roam globally! Well, it all boils down to the usage you seek. If you are a  stationary resident of a place, then the residential plan is ideal. 

On the other hand, if you are a nomad or an RVer, consider the RV plan. Now let’s consider the advantages of both plans to inform your choice.

Pausing capabilities

One of the most vital advantages of Starlink RV is the ability to pause the service. 

It means you can stop paying when you are not using and start paying (activate) when you are using. 

This capability is very helpful for travelers or campers who like camping during certain times of the year. 

It allows them to use the service during camping and deactivate it when the campaign is over. Note that this capability is absent in the residential plan.

No waitlist

Unlike residential plans, where you may end up on the waitlist, Stalink RV ships immediately.

 There is no waitlist, although you must wait some days for your order to ship.

 It is because for residential, Starlink has a predetermined capacity of users in a particular area, while the RV plan has non. 

Therefore, residential plans in certain areas may experience full capacity, which does not happen in RV packages.

 It is a very important advantage for people who want to order and start using the service immediately.

RV using a satellite dish.

RV using a satellite dish.

Allows service transfer

Starlink residentials allow you to transfer your service to another customer. You just log into your account and update the name, billing, and information. 

The plan allows you to sell your equipment when you do not need it easily. However, the plan is not available for the RV package.

1TB data prioritization

Perhaps prioritization is the biggest advantage. Here you get 1TB of monthly priority data instead of basic data. 

With prioritization, you can always experience higher speeds even during network congestion if you have not depleted the 1TB. 

For RV plans, there is always deprioritization which can lower the speed during peak hours.

Yes, you can easily convert your Starlink RV to a residential one and vice versa. You just need to login into your account via the web or the app.

 Then go to service type and select RV or residential in case of the other way round. 

Since Starlink RV is costlier than residential, the effect will start the following billing cycle. 

However, if you switch residential to Starlink RV, you just need to add the balance, and the change happens.

Using Starlink on a phone

Using Starlink on a phone

Yes, you can use Starlink RV in your home. You can use it anywhere there is Starlink network coverage.

 The only thing is that it is slower compared to the residential plan, and be willing to pay more. 

It gets deprioritized, and you get slow speeds during peak hours.

 However, even during deprioritization, it can still perform basic needs for home browsing.

Theoretically, you can use Starlink RV anywhere with access to the Starlink network. After all, it requires installation in an area with a clear Skyview. 

However, Starlink states that the RV service will be used specifically on land. It goes without saying that if your boat has docked, then you can use Starlink.

 However, if it is in motion in the sea, you might want to consider more specialized equipment- the maritime package. 

It costs $2500 for the equipment and a $250 monthly subscription.

Conclusion

The above research makes the difference between RV and residential Starlink clear. If you like traveling, consider the RV plan. 

On the other hand, if you have a stationary home, residential Starlink would be ideal.

 The shared advantage of both services is the lack of data caps meaning you can use them however you want. 

They are also fast for all home usages and are available even in remote places where others fail.