Can you game on Starlink?

Can Starlink be used for online gaming?

NBN Fixed Wireless Vs Starlink Gaming

Yes, you can absolutely game on Starlink, but there are a few important factors to consider:

1. Latency: Starlink typically offers latency between 20-40 milliseconds, which is significantly lower than traditional satellite internet. This is suitable for most games, especially strategy or role-playing games that aren’t reliant on real-time reactions. However, for fast-paced, competitive games like first-person shooters, occasional latency spikes might affect performance. You can view Real Time Starlink Latency and Ping here.
2. Bandwidth: Starlink provides download speeds ranging from 50-300 Mbps, which is more than enough for gaming. Upload speeds are generally between 10-40 Mbps, ensuring a smooth connection for online play and voice chat. You can view Real Time Starlink Download and Upload speeds here.
3. Data Usage: While gaming itself doesn’t use much data compared to activities like streaming or downloading large files, downloading game updates can consume significant bandwidth. Fortunately, Starlink offers unlimited data on its Residential Plans, so you won’t face the data caps or throttling that can occur with NBN Fixed Wireless or Satellite services.

So is Starlink good for Gaming?

Overall, Starlink is a solid option for casual and even competitive gamers, particularly in areas where traditional broadband isn’t reliable.

If you’re comparing it with NBN Fixed Wireless or NBN Satelitte, Starlink is often the better choice for gaming, offering better latency and speeds, with no data restrictions to worry about. Not only that, but Starlink provides a more consistent speed and lower latency compared to NBN which can be highly variable based on time of day.

If you are comparing it to a fixed line NBN connection like Fibre or HFC, Starlink will not be better for gaming. Latency on those connections will be far lower and Starlink will not be better.