Cable is 10x faster with lower latency. Satellite works anywhere but is slow and expensive. Get cable if available, satellite only in rural areas.
Factor
Satellite Internet
Cable Internet
Speed
25-150 Mbps
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 100-1000 Mbps
Latency
❌ 20-600ms
✅ 10-30ms
Price
$90-150/month
✅ $50-100/month
Availability
✅ Everywhere
Cities/suburbs only
Satellite Internet
Internet via satellite dish (Starlink, HughesNet).
✓ Pros
Works anywhere
Rural coverage
No ground infrastructure needed
✗ Cons
High latency (20-600ms)
Expensive
Weather affects signal
Data caps common
Cable Internet
Internet via coaxial cable lines.
✓ Pros
Much faster (100-1000 Mbps)
Low latency (10-30ms)
Cheaper
Unlimited data
✗ Cons
Not available everywhere
Shared bandwidth
Peak hour slowdowns
The Verdict
Get cable if available. Satellite is only good for rural areas with no other options. Starlink is better than old satellite but still has high latency for gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starlink better than cable?
No. Starlink is faster than old satellite (HughesNet) but still slower than cable with higher latency. Only use if cable/fiber unavailable.
Can I game on satellite?
Starlink: yes (20-40ms). Old satellite (HughesNet): no (600ms+). Cable is better for gaming.