Will Starlink Work in Apartments? (Updated 2025)

Jump to: How Starlink Works | Real Speeds | Canadian Coverage | Mounting Options | Building Rules | Plans Compared | vs Cable/DSL | FAQs

How Starlink Actually Works (The Quick Version)

Before diving into apartment-specific stuff, let me explain what makes Starlink different.

Traditional satellite internet (like the kind your neighbors might have) uses geosynchronous satellites orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth. That means signals have to travel down, bounce off a satellite, and travel back up, resulting in terrible latency (usually 500-600ms) and slow speeds. Gaming? Forget it. Video calls? Stuttering mess.

Starlink is different because it uses low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites that orbit just 340 miles above the planet. This changes everything:

• Latency drops from 500ms to around 25-45ms (fast enough for gaming, video calls, and real work)
• Speeds jump to 150-220 Mbps (instead of the 10-25 Mbps you get with old satellite)
• More satellites in the sky means better coverage, even in cities

That said, Starlink still needs one thing: a clear view of the southern sky. No obstructions. That’s where apartments get tricky.

Will Starlink Work in Your Apartment? (The Honest Answer)

Here’s what I hear most from people in apartments who try Starlink: “It works, but it’s complicated.”
The truth is, Starlink can work in apartments, but success depends on three things:
Can you mount a dish outdoors with a clear sky view?
Does your landlord allow external equipment?
Are you willing to run a cable inside and deal with the setup hassle?
If you answer “yes” to all three, Starlink can be solid. If you answer “no” to any of them, you might be stuck with cable, fiber, or DSL.

Real Starlink Speeds in Canadian Apartments (2025 Data)

Let’s talk actual numbers, not marketing fluff.

According to real-world testing from Canadian users in 2025, here’s what apartment dwellers can expect:

What this means for you:

• ✅ Streaming Netflix, YouTube in 4K? No problem.
• ✅ Video calls, Zoom meetings? Totally fine.
• ✅ Gaming (casual or competitive)? Works well, especially if you’re on a less congested beam.
• ✅ During peak evening hours (5-9 PM), speeds stay solid you’re unlikely to see major drops anymore.

Important note: Starlink speeds have improved dramatically throughout 2025, with a 50% speed increase since January. Performance is now consistently reliable across Canadian cities. The further you are from a Starlink ground station, the more your speeds can fluctuate, but the gap has narrowed significantly.

Starlink Coverage in Major Canadian Cities (Updated 2025)

Here’s the real talk about Starlink availability in apartments in Canada’s biggest cities:

Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa:
Starlink coverage in these cities has improved dramatically since 2023. It’s no longer “spotty” it’s actually mainstream now. You can order Starlink here without a waitlist, and coverage is rock solid. Reality check: You’ll likely have excellent speeds and minimal congestion compared to what you see in online forums (many comments are from 2023-2024).

Smaller cities (Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, etc.):
Coverage is solid and speeds are very stable. Network congestion is lower than major cities, so you often get faster, more consistent performance. This is actually one of Starlink’s strengths outside major metro areas.

Key takeaway: If you live in a Canadian city and your lease is up soon, don’t immediately dismiss Starlink just because you’re in an apartment. Coverage has caught up. The real limiting factor now is whether you can physically mount the dish.

Starlink Mounting Options for Apartments (Real Solutions for Renters)

Critical Question: Does Your Building Allow It?

Before you even buy Starlink, check your lease and talk to your landlord or strata council.

Many buildings (especially newer condos) have strict rules about external equipment. Some reasons buildings say no:

• “It looks bad on the building facade”
• “We have a fiber agreement with a specific provider”
• “It’s a hazard” (though modern mounts are safe)
• “It’s on the list of prohibited equipment”

Pro tip: Non-penetrating mounts are your best argument. Show your landlord photos of professional balcony mounts, they look clean and modern, not like a jury-rig setup. Many landlords say yes to balcony mounts but no to roof installations.

If your building says no: You’re unfortunately limited to whatever the building offers (usually cable or fiber). Starlink won’t work for you.

Router: Indoor vs Outdoor?

Here’s a practical question: can you keep the router inside your apartment?

The short answer: Yes, but with caveats.

The Starlink router has a WiFi range of approximately 200 feet, so signal can reach through your apartment if placed near a window or exterior wall. However:

• If the dish is on your balcony: A cable needs to run from the dish → into your unit → to the router.
• If you don’t want to drill: You can run the cable through a window crack or gap (many people do this).
• WiFi strength: Placing the router inside an apartment with exterior walls between it and your devices = reduced signal. Usually not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.

Best practice for apartments:

1. Mount the dish on the balcony (non-penetrating mount).
2. Run the power/ethernet cable through a window gap or small opening.
3. Place the router near the window, on a desk or shelf.
4. Use 5GHz WiFi for devices closer to the router; 2.4GHz for devices further away.

This setup avoids drilling holes and keeps the router inside where it’s protected from weather.

Starlink Residential vs Business: Which Plan for Apartments?

Starlink has two main tiers:

Starlink Residential (~$120/month)

• For individuals and families
• 150-220 Mbps typical speeds
• Lower priority during peak hours (but still very stable)
• Good for: apartment dwellers, casual users, streamers, gamers
• Cost: $599 equipment + $120/month

Starlink Business (~$500/month)

• For small businesses and home offices
• Prioritized bandwidth (maintains speeds during peak congestion)
• 24/7 priority support
• SLA (uptime guarantee)
• Higher equipment cost and monthly fee
• Cost: $2,500 equipment + $500/month

For most apartment dwellers: Residential is fine. Business is overkill unless you’re running a business from your apartment and absolutely need guaranteed uptime.

Important: Starlink’s terms of service forbid business use on the residential account. If you’re running a business, you need the Business tier.

Pros and Cons: Starlink in Apartments (Honest Assessment)

Pros

✅ Fast speeds (150-220 Mbps typical) compared to old satellite or DSL
✅ No data caps (on most plans)
✅ Low latency (25-45ms) = works great for gaming and video calls
✅ No long-term contract
✅ Can cancel anytime with full refund (first 30 days)
✅ Self-install is simple (takes 20-30 minutes)
✅ Network speeds improved 50% throughout 2025 (constellation expansion)
✅ Coverage now mainstream in Canadian cities (no more long waitlists)

Cons

❌ Requires clear southern sky view (no obstructions)
❌ Landlord approval needed (some buildings say no)
❌ Visible equipment on balcony/roof (aesthetic concern)
❌ Weather can affect connection stability (heavy snow, storms)
❌ Customer support only via app/ticket (no phone support)
❌ Higher upfront cost ($599 equipment) compared to cable modem
❌ Not portable between buildings (service locked to address)

Is Starlink Better Than Cable or DSL for Apartments?

Here’s the real comparison:

When to choose Starlink:

• You live in a building where cable/fiber isn’t available.
• You don’t have a good DSL option.
• You can get balcony/roof access.
• You need lower latency than DSL.
• Your current cable speeds are under 100 Mbps.

When to avoid Starlink:

• You have good cable or fiber available.
• Your landlord won’t approve external equipment.
• You live in a high-rise with limited sky view.
• You need the absolute fastest speeds (fiber is better).

How to Check If Starlink Will Work for YOU

Before you order, use the Starlink app to check your exact address:

1. Download the Starlink app (iOS/Android)
2. Enter your full address
3. Use the “Obstruction Map” tool to see what’s blocking your sky view
4. Pan your phone to visualize where satellites will pass
5. The app will tell you if your location is viable

Green = excellent coverage
Yellow = workable (some obstructions, but functional)
Red = probably won’t work well

If you get green or yellow, Starlink has a better-than-you-think chance of working for you.

The Bottom Line: Should You Get Starlink in Your Apartment?

Get it if:

• ✅ You can mount a dish (balcony, patio, or roof access)
• ✅ Your landlord allows external equipment (non-penetrating mounts help)
• ✅ You checked the app and got green/yellow obstruction rating
• ✅ Cable/fiber aren’t available, or current speeds are under 100 Mbps
• ✅ You can handle the aesthetic of a visible dish
• ✅ You’re willing to cancel if speeds don’t meet expectations (30-day trial)

Skip it if:

• ❌ Landlord forbids external equipment and won’t negotiate
• ❌ You have good cable or fiber already
• ❌ You live in a high-rise with north/west-facing balconies only
• ❌ You need guaranteed uptime (Business tier is expensive for apartment dwellers)
• ❌ You’re moving within 6 months (setup hassle not worth it)

Next Steps

1. Check coverage: Use the Starlink app for your address.
2. Talk to your landlord: Mention non-penetrating mounts; many are more flexible than you’d expect.
3. Watch for deals: Starlink sometimes offers promotional pricing (first month free, discounts on equipment).
4. Order with confidence: You have 30 days to return if you’re not happy.

The internet situation for apartment dwellers in Canada has genuinely improved in 2025. Starlink is now a real, mainstream option, not just hype. Whether it’s right for you depends on those three things above.

Good luck, and let me know how it goes.

FAQs

Q: Can my building prevent me from using Starlink?
A: Yes. Most buildings can enforce restrictions on external equipment. Your best bet is a non-penetrating balcony mount (doesn’t damage property) and a friendly conversation with management.

Q: How long does installation take?
A: 20-30 minutes if you’re just mounting on a balcony. Longer if you need to drill or run cables through walls.

Q: Will Starlink work through my apartment window?
A: Partially. You’ll lose 30-50% signal strength through glass/walls. Not ideal, but some people do it. Test with the app first.

Q: Is Starlink reliable during winter?
A: Yes. The dish has an auto-heater to melt snow. You just need to brush it off after heavy snow (like any outdoor equipment). Winter latency/speeds are stable in Canada.

Q: Can I move Starlink to a new apartment?
A: Yes, but it takes some effort. You need to deactivate at the old address, reactivate at the new one, and verify coverage first. Not seamless, but doable.

Q: Is Business Starlink better for apartments?
A: Not usually. Business is overkill for most apartment dwellers unless you’re running an income-generating business from home that needs guaranteed uptime.

Q: What’s the difference between Starlink Lite and Standard?
A: Starlink Lite (~$75/month) offers slightly slower speeds and is the budget option. Standard (~$120/month) is the sweet spot for most apartments with full speeds (150-220 Mbps). There’s also Premium for $500/month, but that’s for business use.

Last updated: December 2025
Speed, latency, and coverage data based on October-December 2025 Canadian user performance metrics
Starlink speeds improved 50% throughout 2025, with median speeds now 210-220 Mbps and latency averaging 25-30ms