Guide · fees
The fees nobody puts in the headline
Six charges can sit on top of the monthly price. Here is what each one is, when you pay it, and how big it can get.
Short answer
Beyond the plan, budget for a possible one-time demand surcharge (no official amount; only checkout shows it), the kit or a rental activation fee, shipping, and sales tax. Standby costs $10/mo for a kit you own.
Each fee, in one table
| Fee | When it applies | Amount | How to lower it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand surcharge | One-time, at checkout, only in high-demand areas | no official amount; depends on the address unverified | You can't avoid it at a busy address. It's refunded with a 30-day return. Run the 3-year math before you pay it. |
| Rental activation fee | One-time, when you rent the kit | varies by location; shown at checkout unverified | Buying the kit replaces it with the kit price. |
| Monthly rental fee | Every month on a rental, if your checkout shows one | $0/mo | Buy the kit if a fee applies and you'll keep it past the break-even month. |
| Standby fee | Each month a kit you own is on Standby | $10/mo | It's the cheap option; the alternative is the full plan or cancelling. |
| Shipping | With the kit | about $20 on rentals (reported); varies unverified | A store kit has no shipping if you pick it up. |
| Sales tax and fees | On the kit and on each bill, by address | your local rate | You can't; just don't forget it. Add your % in the calculator. |
The demand surcharge, briefly
Starlink describes it as one-time, in high-demand areas, when you buy, activate, change plan or move into one; refunded with a 30-day return. It doesn't publish an amount or a range, and press reports vary widely, so we don't print one. If your checkout shows a surcharge, type it into the calculator: spread over 3 years, even a large one changes the monthly number less than people expect, and over 1 year it can double it.
How much they move the total
Returns, cancellation and commitments
- 30-day return: full hardware refund if returned undamaged within 30 days. On a rental, the activation, the first month and any surcharge are refunded too.
- Month to month: no cancellation fee on month-to-month service; prepaid months aren't refunded.
- 12-month commitment offers (often with cheap or free hardware): a prorated 'change fee' if you leave a 12-month commitment offer early. Read the confirmation email for the amount.
- Rental not returned: full retail price of the kit if not returned within 30 days of cancelling.
When it's the wrong buy
The honest exit. If one of these is you, the cheapest Starlink plan is still the expensive choice.
- You can get fiber, or reliable cable at a lower all-in price. Take it.
- 5G home internet works well at your address and costs less. Try it first; most carriers let you return it.
- Your checkout shows a large demand surcharge. Run the 3-year math in the calculator before you pay it.
- You need to pause a rental kit. Rental kits can't use Standby, so a seasonal place pays every month.
- Money is tight. Compare Lifeline-eligible and lower-cost options first at fcc.gov/lifeline.
Your next step
Run your own numbers first, then check your address. Only starlink.com can show your real kit options, promos and any surcharge.
Questions people ask
Does Starlink have hidden fees?
Not hidden, but not in the headline either: a demand surcharge in busy areas, the rental activation fee, shipping, and tax. None of them shows in the monthly price, and the surcharge appears only at checkout. All prices checked Oct 5, 2026.
Is there a cancellation fee?
On month-to-month service, no cancellation fee on month-to-month service; prepaid months aren't refunded. If you took a 12-month commitment offer, there is a prorated 'change fee' if you leave a 12-month commitment offer early. Rentals must be returned.
Is there a data cap on Residential?
Residential plans list unlimited data, so there are no overage fees. Roam plans have data tiers.
Can I get the surcharge back?
Starlink says the surcharge is refunded if you return within the 30-day window. After that, it's spent.