Can you invest in Starlink stock? Alternatives to Starlink shares

Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation system designed to offer global internet coverage. Its primary objective is to deliver internet access to areas, especially rural ones, where high-speed internet is scarce and where deploying traditional solutions like fibre optics is expensive. 

Starlink operates as a division of SpaceX, a company that specialises in advanced space transportation by designing, manufacturing, and launching rockets and spacecraft. Founded in 2002 by the renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk, SpaceX stands at the forefront of space innovation.

Can you invest in Starlink?

No, investors cannot buy Starlink stock. Starlink is not a publicly-listed company and has no plans to do so in the near future.

However, there are plans to list the company, with no official date for this listing. According to the company, it plans to have an IPO when its cash flow becomes more predictable, which is expected to occur within the next couple of years.

Alternatives to a Starlink investment

Since Starlink is not yet a publicly traded company, you cannot invest in it. Nevertheless, there are other alternatives for investment if you want to get exposure to the satellite internet provider´s market. 

Some examples of investment possibilities are as follows:

• Other companies which operate in the same market and are publicly traded companies, like Viasat;
• Invest in the biggest companies worldwide which are investing in this market, like Amazon;
• Exchange-traded funds (ETF) that invest in companies with exposure to this market. An example of this is an ETF managed by ARK Invest, whose ticker symbol is ARKX.

Investment platforms to buy stocks

Products and costs of Starlink solutions

There are 3 Starlink solutions, which are detailed below:

• Residential: in this case, this division of SpaceX offers reliable high-speed internet at a minimum price of 120 USD, depending on the type of plan you want to contract. Additionally, you should also invest in the recommended hardware, which is a one-off cost of about 599 USD;
• Roam: this kind of solution is highly recommended for campers and international travelers. Through this plan, you can access  high-speed internet in several locations. The price of this plan depends on the geographical coverage you are interested in, varying from 150 USD to 250 USD per month;
• Boats: the third solution offered by Starlink enables access to high-speed internet on the water. The price of the plans offered in this case varies from 250 USD to 5,000 USD per month. You should also count on a one-off additional cost of nearly 2,500 USD for hardware.

Coverage of Starlink solutions

As of mid-2025, Starlink serves over 6 million active customers globally across approximately 140 countries, territories, and markets.

In the United States, the service has attracted approximately 2 million active customers, making it a significant player among domestic satellite internet providers.

Regarding performance, Starlink’s network has undergone significant improvements. Its median download speed nearly doubled, from about 54 Mbps in 2022 to roughly 105 Mbps in early 2025.

Furthermore, as of July 2025, the median download speed during peak hours in the U.S. has surged to nearly 200 Mbps across more than 2 million customers. Even the lower-tier plans currently deliver about 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload in most U.S. states and territories.

Future objectives

SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites in 2019, and as of August 2025, the constellation includes over 8,100 active satellites in orbit. In total, nearly 9,400 satellites have been launched, of which just over 7,100 are currently operational.

Looking forward, Elon Musk envisions adding more than 42,000 additional satellites over time, further expanding global coverage and capacity.

On performance, Starlink aims to deliver gigabit-class internet speeds to users, with plans to roll out gigabit service by 2026, supported by upgraded user hardware. The next generation of satellites under development is expected to support downlink speeds of up to 1 Tbps and uplink speeds of around 160 Gbps each, positioning Starlink as a strong competitor to terrestrial broadband networks.

Revenues

In 2023, Starlink generated approximately $4.2 billion in revenue. Estimates for 2024 suggest revenues may have reached around $8.2 billion, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. Looking ahead, analysts project revenues of about $11.8 billion in 2025.

SpaceX overall is expected to generate roughly $15.5 billion in total revenue in 2025, with Starlink as its largest contributor.

Starlink’s long-term ambition remains to achieve $30 billion in annual revenue.

Competitors

Starlink has some competitors in the internet satellite market, including:

• Hughes Net
• Viasat
• OneWeb
• Telesat
• Telstra
• Freedomsat
• NBN Co (Sky Muster in Australia)
• Amazon’s Project Kuiper

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is advancing quickly. By April 2025, it had launched its first 27 production satellites, with a constellation planned to include 3,236 satellites. Amazon has committed over $10 billion in investment, with some projections placing total investment closer to $20 billion.

The company aims to begin offering service by late 2025, with an FCC requirement to deploy around 1,600 satellites by mid-2026.

Final notes about investing in Starlink

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, becoming a leading player in the satellite internet sector. Its rapidly expanding subscriber base, improving network performance, and diversification into areas such as maritime, aviation, and direct-to-device services highlight strong long-term potential.

From an investment perspective, Starlink offers a significant opportunity but also a notable risk. The business model requires heavy capital expenditure to launch and maintain satellites, meaning free cash flow may remain under pressure despite rising revenues. Profitability will depend on efficient cost management, sustainable pricing, and continued global expansion.

Competition further shapes the outlook. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is set to deploy thousands of satellites with billions in backing, while players like OneWeb and Telesat target niche and government markets. Starlink’s future success will hinge on maintaining its technological edge and scaling faster than rivals in this rapidly evolving industry.