Starlink and Xplore are the two main satellite internet options for Canadians in rural and remote areas where fibre, cable, and 5G home internet are not available. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, uses a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network to deliver speeds of up to 400 Mbps across all provinces and territories, with no contracts and a 30-day trial. Xplore offers satellite internet across most of Canada, with plans capped at 100 Mbps download and data allowances ranging from 250 GB to 500 GB, backed by an established Canadian support network. This page compares both providers on plans, pricing, speed, data limits, equipment, installation, and support to help you find the better fit for your location in 2026.
Plans and pricing
Starlink offers three residential satellite plans in Canada, all with no contracts and unlimited data, starting at $75/month for a 100 Mbps speed-capped plan and scaling up to $150/month for the Residential Max plan. On Residential Max, Starlink advertises speeds up to 400+ Mbps download, though real-world download speeds typically fall between 170–320 Mbps depending on your location and network conditions; upload speeds are generally 20–40 Mbps across all plans. Xplore satellite plans range from $99.99/month to $129.99/month, but unlike Starlink, all Xplore satellite plans carry data caps between 250 GB and 500 GB, and top out at 100 Mbps download with upload speeds capped at 10 Mbps on some plans. Xplore satellite coverage spans 12 provinces and territories, but satellite plans shown on this page may not be the full range of what Xplore offers — and importantly, if a faster or cheaper Xplore technology (fibre, 5G wireless) is available at your address, Xplore may not offer satellite as a residential option there. Business customers may have different options. Always confirm directly with Xplore which plans and technologies are available at your specific location.
At the entry level, Starlink's 100 Mbps unlimited plan at $75/month undercuts all Xplore satellite plans on both price and data. Xplore's least expensive satellite plan is $99.99/month and includes a 250 GB cap. For customers who need unlimited data, Starlink is the only option between the two — Xplore does not offer unlimited satellite plans. Xplore satellite coverage spans 12 provinces and territories, but residential satellite plan availability is not guaranteed at every address: if Xplore offers a faster or cheaper technology (fibre, 5G wireless) at your location, satellite may not be presented as a residential option. Business customers may have different access to satellite plans. Always confirm directly with Xplore which plans are available at your address.
Network and coverage
Starlink operates a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation that provides coverage across all 10 provinces and all 3 territories in Canada. Because the satellites orbit closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, Starlink delivers meaningfully lower latency — typically around 22 ms in most areas — compared to conventional satellite internet. Xplore satellite internet covers 12 provinces and territories, but coverage does not guarantee a satellite plan will be available for residential customers at every address: Xplore may only offer satellite where no faster or cheaper technology is available. Business customers may have different plan options. View the Xplore internet coverage map on Topicks.ca for a general overview of Xplore's service area, and always confirm plan availability at your specific address directly with Xplore.
Starlink's LEO constellation gives it a significant latency advantage over Xplore's geostationary satellite service. Traditional geostationary satellite internet typically produces latency of 600 ms or higher due to the distance signals travel to and from orbit; Starlink satellites orbit far closer to Earth, reducing latency to around 22 ms in most Canadian locations — comparable to some fixed wireless services. This makes Starlink substantially better suited for video calls, online gaming, and real-time applications. For remote communities in the territories and northern regions, Starlink may be the only practical high-speed option between the two providers.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Starlink | Xplore Satellite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $75/mo (100 Mbps, unlimited) | $99.99/mo (25 Mbps, 250 GB) |
| Top speed (download) | Up to 400+ Mbps (Residential Max); typically 170–320 Mbps download, 20–40 Mbps upload | 100 Mbps (Satellite 100/500) |
| Upload speed | 20–40 Mbps (all residential plans) | Up to 10 Mbps (some plans); 1 Mbps (entry plan) |
| Data cap | Unlimited (all Residential plans) | 250 GB – 500 GB (all satellite plans capped) |
| Latency | ~22 ms (LEO satellite) | 550–600 ms (Next-Gen Satellite) — best suited for turn-based games; not ideal for real-time play (source: Xplore) |
| Contract | No contract (all plans) | No contract (all plans) |
| 30-day trial | Yes | Not advertised |
| Coverage | All 13 provinces & territories | Satellite coverage across 12 provinces and territories (residential availability subject to address — confirm with Xplore) |
| Equipment included | Kit sold separately or included with Residential Max; $10/mo monthly kit fee option available | Wi-Fi router included; equipment rental cost included in monthly price |
| Installation | Professional installation $275 (fee may vary); included with Residential Max; self-install also possible | Installation fee applies (e.g. ~$99; fee may vary for complex installs); confirm with Xplore |
| Other technologies available | Satellite only | Fibre, 5G wireless, satellite — may offer faster/cheaper alternatives at your address |
| Customer rating (Topicks.ca) | N/A | 2.0 / 5 (Topicks.ca) |
Equipment and installation
Starlink requires a Starlink dish (kit) to connect to the network. The kit can be purchased outright or rented at $10/month. Professional installation is available at approximately $275 (fee may vary — always check starlink.com for current pricing). If you choose the Residential Max plan, professional installation is included. Self-installation is also an option for many addresses. Starlink includes a 30-day trial on residential satellite plans; if you are not satisfied, you can return the hardware within that window. Always confirm current equipment and installation costs directly with Starlink before purchasing.
Xplore includes a Wi-Fi router with all satellite plans, and the monthly service fee includes the rental cost of equipment and router — there is no separate equipment charge to track on your bill. An installation fee applies (for example, approximately $99, but fees may be higher for complex installations). Always confirm the exact installation fee with Xplore before signing up, as costs vary by situation and address.
Perks and key differences
Customer support
Starlink does not offer phone support — all support is handled through the Starlink app and online help centre. For customers in remote locations who prefer or need phone-based support, this is a notable limitation. Xplore offers phone support, email, contact form, social media, and a 24/7 support centre, giving it more support channel options than Starlink. Xplore holds a 2.0/5 customer rating on Topicks.ca; Starlink has no rating on Topicks.ca at the time of this comparison.
Who should choose which?
- You need service in a province or territory not covered by Xplore satellite, including BC, MB, NB, NL, PE, SK, NU, and NWT (where Xplore satellite is not offered)
- You want unlimited data — Starlink Residential plans include no data caps, while all Xplore satellite plans are capped at 250–500 GB
- Low latency is important to you for video calls, gaming, or real-time applications — Starlink's LEO network delivers ~22 ms latency, far lower than traditional geostationary satellite services
- You want the fastest satellite speeds available — Starlink Residential Max reaches 400 Mbps download, compared to Xplore's 100 Mbps cap
- You want to try the service risk-free — Starlink offers a 30-day trial period on residential plans
- You want a Roam plan for portable or mobility use alongside home internet
- You are located in AB, NT, NS, ON, QC, or YT and want a Canadian provider with local phone and email support, since Starlink does not offer phone support
- You prefer a single bill that includes equipment rental — Xplore's monthly fee covers the router and equipment rental with no separate hardware purchase required
- Xplore satellite coverage spans 12 provinces and territories — if you're in a covered area and no faster Xplore technology is available, satellite may be an option; note that residential satellite availability is address-dependent and business customers may have different access. Always confirm with Xplore.
- You want to work with an established Canadian telecom provider with a longer domestic track record and multi-channel support
Starlink wins on speed, data, and latency — it offers unlimited data, download speeds up to 400+ Mbps, LEO-based latency around 22 ms, and national coverage across all 13 provinces and territories (including Nunavut, where Xplore satellite is not available). It also includes a 30-day trial and no contracts. For most Canadians choosing between these two satellite options, Starlink will be the stronger performer on raw performance and value. Xplore holds an edge on support channels and equipment simplicity — it includes equipment rental in the monthly fee, offers phone and 24/7 support, and may offer a faster or cheaper technology (fibre, 5G) at your address if you're in its broader service footprint. Note that Xplore satellite may not be offered to residential customers where a faster Xplore technology exists at your address; business customers may have different options. But for speed, data, latency, and value, Starlink leads the satellite comparison in 2026.
View the Xplore internet coverage map on Topicks.ca and check starlink.com/map to compare coverage and typical speeds in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Starlink available everywhere in Canada?
Yes. Starlink satellite internet is available across all 10 provinces and all 3 territories in Canada, including remote and northern communities where most other providers do not reach. Coverage and speeds can vary by location — check starlink.com for details at your address.
Does Xplore satellite internet have a data cap?
Yes. All Xplore satellite plans carry data caps ranging from 250 GB to 500 GB per month depending on the plan. Starlink Residential plans do not have data caps.
Does Starlink require a contract?
No. All Starlink plans are month-to-month with no contract. Starlink also offers a 30-day trial period on residential plans so you can try the service before committing.
What is the latency difference between Starlink and Xplore satellite?
Starlink uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that orbit far closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, delivering latency of approximately 22 ms in most Canadian locations. Xplore's satellite service uses geostationary satellites, which typically produce much higher latency. For real-time applications like video calls and online gaming, Starlink has a significant advantage.
Does Xplore satellite internet cover all of Canada?
Xplore satellite coverage spans 12 provinces and territories, but residential satellite plan availability is not guaranteed at every address — if Xplore offers a faster or cheaper technology (fibre, 5G wireless) at your location, satellite may not be presented as a residential option. Business customers may have different access to satellite plans. Always confirm which plans are available at your address directly with Xplore before signing up.
What equipment do I need for Starlink?
Starlink requires a Starlink dish and router (the Starlink Kit). The kit can be purchased outright or rented for approximately $10/month. Professional installation is available for approximately $275 (fee may vary) or is included if you choose the Residential Max plan. Self-installation is also possible. Always confirm current equipment and installation costs at starlink.com.
Are there activation fees for Starlink or Xplore?
Under CRTC regulations effective June 12, 2026, activation, modification, and cancellation fees are banned across Canadian carriers. Confirm with each provider how this applies to satellite-specific charges such as installation and equipment fees before signing up.
