Starlink Latency vs Old Satellite Internet
Traditional satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat) uses geostationary satellites 22,000 miles above Earth. The signal round trip takes about 600 milliseconds. At that latency, video calls are awkward, gaming is impossible, and even web browsing feels sluggish.
Starlink satellites orbit at about 340 miles. Signal round trip: 20 to 50 milliseconds typical, with most users seeing 25 to 40 milliseconds. That is in the same range as many cable internet connections.
What Does 25 to 40ms Latency Feel Like?
For reference:
At 25 to 40 milliseconds, web pages load without any perceptible delay. Video streaming does not care about latency at all (it buffers). Voice and video calls feel natural with no noticeable delay between speakers.
Gaming on Starlink
Games that work well:
Games where you will notice it:
The bigger issue is jitter, not latency. Jitter is the variation in latency from moment to moment. Starlink latency can bounce between 20ms and 60ms within a few seconds, especially if there are any obstructions. Consistent 40ms is better for gaming than latency that bounces between 20ms and 80ms.
Minimizing obstructions is the single best thing you can do for gaming on Starlink. A properly mounted dish with zero obstructions delivers much more consistent latency than a ground-mounted dish in a partially obstructed location.
Video Calls on Starlink
Video conferencing platforms recommend the following latency:
Starlink at 25 to 40 milliseconds is well within these requirements. Video calls work reliably on Starlink when the dish is properly installed.
The issue that causes problems on video calls is not latency — it is packet loss from obstructions. If your dish has even small obstructions, you will experience brief freezes and audio drops during calls. These last only a second or two but are disruptive. Fix the obstructions and the calls work smoothly.
How to Get the Lowest Latency
1. Minimize obstructions. This is the most important factor. Every obstruction causes latency spikes and jitter.
2. Use Ethernet. Wi-Fi adds 1 to 5 milliseconds of latency and more variability. For gaming, plug directly into the router.
3. Close background applications. Downloads, updates, and streaming on other devices in your household add latency to your gaming or calling device through network congestion.
4. Choose the right plan tier. Higher-tier plans get priority during congestion, which helps maintain lower latency during peak hours.
5. Game during off-peak hours. Starlink latency is lowest in the morning and early afternoon when fewer people are on the network.
The Bottom Line
Starlink is absolutely good enough for video calls, casual gaming, and most online activities. It is not ideal for professional-level competitive gaming where every millisecond matters. For the vast majority of users, the latency is a non-issue.
If you are switching from old satellite internet (HughesNet/Viasat), the improvement in latency alone will feel like a completely different technology. Because it is.
Questions about Starlink performance for your specific use case? Reach out to us.