Amazon Leo vs Starlink: Availability, Speed, Price and Which to Choose (2026)
Short answer
Starlink is the only one of the two you can sign up for today. As of autumn 2026, Starlink had about 13.6 million subscribers and over 11,000 working satellites, while Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) had roughly 400 satellites in orbit, was running enterprise previews, and said it still planned to launch initial service in 2026, with no public consumer pricing yet.
Key takeaways
- Amazon Leo is the new name (since November 2025) for Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
- Starlink: about 13.6M subscribers (Sept 2026) and 11,000+ working satellites.
- Amazon Leo: about 396 satellites launched (Oct 2026), enterprise preview only.
- Amazon says it plans initial service in 2026 and may bundle Leo with Prime, eero, Ring and Fire TV.
- Need satellite internet now? Starlink, bought or rented, is the only practical option.
What is Amazon Leo?
Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet network. It was called Project Kuiper until Amazon renamed it in November 2025. Like Starlink, it uses thousands of satellites a few hundred miles up to deliver low-latency broadband, with consumer, business and government terminals planned.
How do Amazon Leo and Starlink compare today?
| Starlink | Amazon Leo | |
|---|---|---|
| Status (Nov 2026) | Live in 170+ markets | Enterprise preview; initial service planned for 2026 |
| Subscribers | About 13.6 million (Sept 2026) | No consumer subscribers yet |
| Satellites | About 11,200 working (Nov 2026) | About 396 launched (Oct 2026) |
| Consumer price | Residential $55–$130/mo; Roam $55–$175/mo | Not announced |
| Top terminal speed | Up to 400 Mbps (Residential Max) | Leo Ultra up to 1 Gbps down / 400 Mbps up (enterprise) |
| Portable option | Starlink Mini ($149, Oct 2026) | Not yet available to consumers |
When will Amazon Leo be available to consumers?
Amazon missed its mid-2026 target. In October 2026, Light Reading and Broadband Breakfast reported that Amazon executives still planned to launch “initial service” before the end of 2026, with almost 400 satellites in orbit. Pricing, a coverage map and a consumer sign-up date had not been published. Treat any launch date as a target rather than a promise.
Will Amazon Leo be cheaper than Starlink?
Nobody knows yet. Amazon has said it may pair Leo with Prime memberships, eero routers, Ring and Fire TV, which could make bundles attractive for Amazon households. Until Amazon publishes prices, compare against Starlink’s current rates: Residential plans at $55, $85 or $130 a month and Roam plans at $55, $80 or $175 a month (October 2026).
Our recommendation
Waiting on Amazon Leo but need internet now? Rent Starlink for the weeks you need it. There’s no contract, so you’re free to switch once Amazon Leo actually launches in your area.
Reserve a Starlink kitAsk us a questionWhich should you choose right now?
If you need satellite internet in the next few months, choose Starlink: it’s the only one available. If you’re curious about Amazon Leo but need connectivity now, renting Starlink avoids locking into hardware. Star Surf rents Starlink Mini and Standard kits from $20/day (2-day minimum, or $50 for a single day) or $150/week with unlimited data, so you can cover a trip, project or event and decide on a long-term provider later. Our Starlink review covers real-world performance.
FAQs
Is Amazon Leo available yet?
Not for consumers as of November 2026. Amazon is running enterprise previews and says it plans to launch initial service in 2026.
Is Amazon Leo the same as Project Kuiper?
Yes. Amazon renamed Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo in November 2025.
How many satellites does Amazon Leo have?
About 396 had been launched as of October 2026, compared with roughly 11,200 working Starlink satellites.
Will Amazon Leo be included with Prime?
Amazon has said it may bundle Leo with Prime and other Amazon services, but no terms or prices have been announced.
Is Starlink better than Amazon Leo?
Today, Starlink is the only one you can use. A fair performance comparison will only be possible once Amazon Leo has paying consumer customers.
Need Starlink for a few days or a few weeks?
Rent from $20/day. Pick up in American Fork, UT, or have it shipped anywhere in the US in a protective hard case.
Check availabilityMulti-kit & event quotesAbout Star Surf
Star Surf is a Starlink rental company based in American Fork, Utah. We rent Starlink Mini and Standard kits from $20/day (2-day minimum) or $150/week with unlimited data, for pick-up in Utah or shipping anywhere in the US, and supply multi-kit setups for events, job sites and businesses. Check availability.
More guides
Sources
- Light Reading: Amazon Leo still tracking for 2026 launch (Oct 2026)
- Broadband Breakfast: Amazon Leo plans Prime bundles (Oct 2026)
- RV Mobile Internet: Leo Ultra terminal specs
- Fierce Network: Starlink reaches 13.6M subscribers (Q3 2026)
- KeepTrack: SpaceX brief, Nov 4 2026 (constellation count)
- KeepTrack: How much does Starlink cost (Oct 2026)
Prices, plans and speeds are as reported in our sources (checked November 2026) and change often; check starlink.com before you buy. Starlink® is a trademark of SpaceX. Star Surf is an independent rental company and is not affiliated with Starlink or SpaceX.