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Starlink vs. gFiber (Google Fiber)

These rarely compete at the same address, but when they do, the choice is clear. Here's how they compare.

Jean Gilles · Founder & Editor
Published Oct 6, 2026 · 2 min read
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The verdict

If gFiber reaches your address, choose it: 1 Gig fiber is $70/mo with the same speed up and down, low latency and no data caps. Starlink ($55–$130) is for places fiber and cable don't reach, or as a backup on a separate network.

Side by side

gFiber
Starlink
Price
1 Gig $70/mo; 3 Gig and 8 Gig by address
$55 (100 Mbps), $85 (200 Mbps), $130 (Max)
Speed
Symmetrical, up to 8 Gig
Typical 80–320 Mbps by plan
Latency
Very low (fiber)
Low for satellite, but varies
Price history
gFiber says prices unchanged for 13+ years
Cut to $55 in 2026
Equipment
Wi-Fi 7 router and up to two mesh extenders included
$0 rental in select areas, or bought
Contract
None
None, 30-day refund

Which to choose

  • gFiber for nearly every home it serves: faster, steadier and cheaper per Mbps.
  • Starlink if gFiber, cable and strong 5G don't reach you.
  • Both only if you need a backup on a separate network: Starlink 100 Mbps or a Mini on Roam 100GB.
Read next

What's changing at gFiber

gFiber is combining with Astound into one company majority owned by Stonepeak, expected to close in Q4 2026. Plans and prices haven't changed. See our gFiber review and Starlink review.

Who are Starlink and gFiber?

These are very different services. gFiber runs a fiber line to your home in the cities it serves; Starlink uses satellites and works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.

Starlink

Satellite internet from SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket company. Open to the public since 2020.

Type
Low-orbit satellite, about 340 miles up
Customers
12 million+ worldwide, about 2.6 million in the US
Where
About 99.7% of US homes
Install
You set up the dish yourself
gFiber

Fiber internet started by Google in 2012, now an Alphabet company. It is combining with Astound Broadband in a deal expected to close in late 2026.

Type
Fiber to the home
Owner
Alphabet (merging with Astound, majority owned by Stonepeak)
Where
Select metros, including Kansas City, Austin, Atlanta and Nashville
Install
A technician installs it; equipment included

Cost over three years

Plan
36 months
gFiber 1 Gig
$2,520
Starlink 100 Mbps
$1,980 + taxes
Starlink 200 Mbps
$3,060 + taxes
Starlink Max
$4,680 + taxes

gFiber 1 Gig costs less than Starlink 200 Mbps over three years while being several times faster.

Questions

Is Starlink faster than Google Fiber?

No. gFiber's fiber offers up to 8 Gig with very low latency. Starlink typically delivers 80–320 Mbps depending on plan.

Can I get both gFiber and Starlink?

Yes. Some homes add Starlink as a backup on a separate network, but most gFiber customers don't need it.

Is Google Fiber still called Google Fiber?

It now goes by gFiber. It's combining with Astound under Stonepeak, expected in Q4 2026.

Does Starlink or gFiber have a data cap?

Neither does. Starlink's 100 and 200 Mbps plans are deprioritized when the network is busy.

Sources (3)
  1. Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from gFiber (formerly Google Fiber), Starlink Residential, checked Oct 2026
  2. Retailer and manufacturer product pages, prices checked Oct 2026
  3. Company press releases and regulatory filings on the ownership changes mentioned
  4. Company filings and announcements for customer counts (SpaceX June 2026, Viasat FY2026 annual report, EchoStar Q2 2026)

Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research

Questions about this guide?Ask on our Facebook page and we'll answer there.Join the discussion →
About our expert
Jean Gilles
Founder & Editor, ShopHighSpeed

Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.

Satellite & StarlinkRural internetInternet plans & pricing

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