Very often, we stumble across comparisons between Starlink and Optimum, and we believe you have done this comparison at some point too.
Although you should know that Starlink is considerably new, Optimum has been prominent for a good amount of time.
On a longevity basis, it’s not fair to judge them. We believe it’s only fitting to compare them to other criteria and then let you choose.
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Are Starlink and Optimum Similar?
Starlink and Optimum are comparable in the sense that they both are affiliated with providing internet, but they are quite different from each other as Starlink provides internet via satellites, whereas for Optimum it is optic-fibres.
Before Starlink became relevant, optic fibre without a doubt held the crown as the top alternative in internet-providing.
However, after Starlink started gaining a reputation, we saw an eventual elevation in the debate between the two types of internet-providing services, which sets up the base for this faceoff between
Starink and Optimum.
For a sound judgment between the two, we should compare their performance, availability, and pricing. The customer experience is another vital aspect.
Performance Comparison:
Starlink promises its users a speed that can elevate up to 220 Mbps and they believe they will boost it by double or triple soon. Optimum, on the other hand, can deliver up to 940 Mbps and thus, has an upper hand when it comes to speed.
- Latency:
Starlink has a usual latency between 25- 60 ms. Since Optimum provides internet through optic fiber, their latency remains comparatively lower and thus more satisfactory.
We should note that, since Starlink provides internet through satellites, a longer distance is traveled, which is not optimal as in their case, a shorter distance has to be covered owing to the cable.
Availability Comparison:
As said before, Starlink provides internet via satellites, whereas Optimum does not.
Due to this, Starlink does not need to hinge on any sort of infrastructure. They just need access to the open sky.
Because of this, they don’t have any coverage issues and are present almost everywhere on the globe, even in some of the more secluded remote areas.
Now, since Optimum relays its internet through cables, it needs to depend on physical infrastructure, which is not necessarily present in all areas.
Thus, if it’s not present, their coverage will not be available in that particular area, which is not something you will worry about if you opt for Starlink.
Pricing Comparison:
We must understand the fact that pricing varies a lot depending on the category and the type of service plan provided.
In the case of Starlink, the monthly price will initiate from the range of $75 to $85 depending on the package you purchased.
There’s also a one-time fee for purchasing the hardware needed to operate it.
On the other hand, for Optimum, the fee is addressed after you provide your details. It is said to start at around $40 monthly, which is comparatively cheaper than Starlink.
For your better understanding, here’s a summarized tabular comparison between
Starlink and Optimum.
Tabular Comparison: Starlink And Optimum
| Features | Starlink | Optimum |
| Medium | Low-Earth Orbit Satellites | Optic Fibre / Cables. |
| Pricing | The monthly starting price is $75 to $85 | The monthly starting price is around $40. |
| Availability | Almost everywhere in the world. | Chances of not being available in places where proper infrastructure is absent. |
| Speed | Up to 220 Mbps | Up to almost 1000 Mbps |
| Initial Monetary Expense | Need to purchase Starlink Hardware. | Not Applicable. |
| Latency | 25-60 ms | Less than 20 usually, though it may fluctuate. |
| External Impact (Excluding Technical Failures) | Weather can have a say on its proper functionality as its source is the satellite. | Nothing is significant unless it’s a top-level hazard. |
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Which one is better? (Starlink or Optimum)
If we are to be very frank with you, the answer to this question is very subjective and is a more personalized one.
This might vary from person to person depending on location, budget, expected performance, and reliability.
If availability is your concern, then you might opt for Starlink, or if cheaper or better speed (as of now) is your priority, you may opt for Optimum.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, for all our readers, Starlink excels in the availability aspect and has good future potential. Meanwhile, Optimum can currently provide better performance at a cheaper rate.
That being stated, we also have to understand the fact that Starlink was just initiated half a decade ago and still has time to unleash its true potential.
As we draw the curtains on this, we believe you will be able to come to a conclusion after reading the comparison and checking the tabular breakdown between the two.
