Starlink Maritime vs. RV is often a huge dilemma for seafarers.
Both perform well, although choosing the most appropriate options depends on the operation scale.
Also noteworthy, the internet speeds of either service are different.
Which is the best satellite internet option for those who spend much time at sea? By the end of this guide, you can make an excellent choice between the two.
Starlink Maritime vs. RV: Definition
It is among the latest Starlink internet plans targeting big sea vessels that require a strong connection while sailing.
Starlink Maritime came into the fold in July 2023 and has been taken up well by subscribers.
It is more expensive than Starlink RV, so only big vessels opt for it.
Starlink RV, on the other hand, is not necessarily for sea use. It is an internet option primarily reserved for travel and Rving enthusiasts.
However, it’s still valid for seafarers, especially those who need an internet connection at a lower cost than Starlink Maritime.
Starlink RV best fits small vessels such as boats, dinghies, skiffs, and dhows. It can be paused when not in use, which is incredible for subscribers who are often on the move.
Starlink Maritime vs. RV: Availability
Different Types of Ships that use Starlink Maritime.
You can access Starlink Maritime from anywhere globally as long as there’s availability. It includes the coastal areas of Oceania, USA, and Europe.
However, since the service has just been recently launched, it doesn’t cover other coastlines as effectively as the zones above.
So you should check out Starlink’s availability map for where the service is available.
Starlink RV has better coverage than Starlink Maritime and Residential. Nonetheless, note that the availability of Starlink RV depends on where you registered the service.
For instance, Europe-based Starlink RV users cannot use the service in the US or another location.
Another advantage of Starlink RV is that registration for the service is instant because it doesn’t have a waitlist.
Starlink Maritime vs. RV: Hardware
A huge cruise ship with Starlink.
After registration to Starlink Maritime, you’ll be asked to pay $10,000. After this, Starlink will supply you with two High-Performance Starlink dishes.
Note that there are the same dishes you’ll find with Starlink business subscribers.
But for Starlink Maritime, the two dishes are key in improving connectivity while sailing deep in the sea.
In addition to the Dish, Starlink supplies Maritime subscribers with pipe adapter mounts for quick installation.
The dishes are excellently made to withstand turbulent sea conditions such as heavy rains and strong winds.
Moreover, the Starlink Maritime kit is relatively small, ensuring it occupies very little space on the ship.
On the other hand, the Starlink RV kit is the same as Starlink Residential. Hence, it comprises of the following:
- Starlink Dish
- A Starlink Router
- Cable
- A Base Mount
Note that Starlink doesn’t supply its customers with mounting kits for RV installation. Hence, subscribers have to order aftermarket mounts best suited for RV installation.
Starlink Maritime vs RV: Speeds and Data Cap
Travelers in a Yacht.
Starlink Maritime supplies quite excellent speeds despite being an internet service where no other ISP provides coverage. Check out the table below for details:
| Starlink Maritime Advertised Speeds | Starlink Maritime Real Speeds | |
| Upload Speeds | 40 Mbps | 10 to 20 Mbps |
| Download Speeds | 350 Mbps | 50 to 200 Mbps |
| Data Cap | 5TB | |
| Average Data Latency | 99 ms | |
Although Starlink Maritime’s latency is quite high, the internet is excellent in other aspects.
Therefore, you can comfortably use it to stream videos and even make video calls while deep in the sea. It is a feat impossible with other internet options.
Starlink RV is efficient for users who are sailing close to shores where there’s excellent coverage. Its amazing speeds, lower latency, and low cost make it a perfect choice for small vessels.
Lastly, it features no data caps, so there’s unlimited Internet use for Starlink RV subscribers.
Starlink Maritime vs RV: Cost
Starlink Maritime is costlier than Starlink RV.
Starlink Maritime is expensive; users must pay $10,000 for the equipment. Starlink will ship the kit at a charge of $100.
You’ll also need to pay an equipment tax, although this will depend on the laws of your jurisdiction.
The monthly fee for the service is $5,000, but you can always pause the service when you don’t need it.
Compared to Starlink Maritime, Starlink RV is cheap. There’s a $599 equipment charge and a monthly fee of $110.
You can also pause Starlink RV whenever you don’t want to continue using the service.
Moreover, Starlink doesn’t supply an installation mount for RV installation, so you’ll have to buy an aftermarket one.
Starlink Maritime vs RV: Which One is Better?
Choosing between Starlink RV and Maritime depends on the type of ship.
There is no better option between the two internet services, as it depends on the user.
For instance, if you own a small fishing boat and don’t sail deep into the seas, Starlink RV is the best choice.
It is cheap, reliable, and easy to pause whenever you don’t require it.
Starlink Maritime is the best option for large ships, especially those deep into the waters for months.
Yes, it’s so expensive, but it provides immense convenience and excellent service than any other sea-based internet.
Conclusion
Starlink RV and Maritime are excellent choices for sailors. They epitomize Starlink Internet’s excellence, allowing access from anywhere, even while sailing in deep water.
With the two services, you’re spoilt for choice on the best internet for use while sailing in the seas.
But the bottom line is for large vessels such as cruise ships, no internet services beats Starlink Maritime.