Which is better, Starry or HBC Internet?

HBC Internet is faster where you can get it, but Starry reaches 30 times as many people, so at most addresses Starry is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). They do not serve the same areas, so you will not usually choose between them.

FasterHBC InternetTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps.

Cheaper to startStarryFrom $30 a month, vs $62.99.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (25 and 1).

Available to more peopleStarry8.9 million people in 8 states, vs 294,998 in 2 states.

Starry
Price: $30.00 - $45.00 / mo.
Speed: 50 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (24)
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HBC Internet
Price: $62.99 - $139.99 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and cable
Rating (Reviews): (1)
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Starry vs. HBC Internet at a glance

Measure	Starry	HBC Internet
Available to	8.9 million people in 8 states	294,998 people in 2 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 100%, fiber 1.2%	Fixed wireless 69%, fiber 34%, cable 9.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	1,000 Mbps	5,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	1,000 Mbps down, 250 Mbps up	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$30 a month	$62.99 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$720 (200 Mbps plan)	$1,512 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	4.2 of 5 (25 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	4.3 of 5	4.0 of 5
Rated for price	4.3 of 5	4.0 of 5

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Starry and HBC Internet are available

Starry and HBC Internet have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Starry currently offers internet service in 109 cities and 22 counties across 8 states, reaching approximately 8,906,320 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Brooklyn, NY. By comparison, HBC Internet serves 304,391 residents in 156 cities and 14 counties in 2 states, with a presence in population centers such as Rochester, MN; Minneapolis, MN; and Winona, MN.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Starry coverage map and HBC Internet coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Starry, HBC Internet or both are offered at your home.

Starry vs. HBC Internet Speeds and Technology

Starry and HBC Internet utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, HBC Internet offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,763 Mbps compared to Starry’s average speed of 347 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Starry’s premium Fiber service reaches 1.2% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, HBC Internet’s top-tier Fiber is available to 33.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Starry vs. HBC Internet Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Starry and HBC Internet, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Starry vs. HBC Internet Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Starry and HBC Internet based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Starry earns an overall rating of 4.24 / 5 stars from 25 customer reviews, while HBC Internet maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. HBC Internet outperforms Starry by 0.8 points in overall satisfaction. Starry’s best-rated service is their Fixed Wireless offering at 4.24 / 5 stars, compared to HBC Internet’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Starry vs. HBC Internet Pros and Cons

Starry

From 18 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 12 of 18 written reviews. "great flexible plans they supply great value for its users"
• Easy installation: praised in 10 of 18 written reviews. "Starry's internet easy to set up"
• Reliable connection: praised in 9 of 18 written reviews (3 report outages). "Our internet is fast and reliable"

Cons

HBC Internet

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster plans: up to 5,000 Mbps, vs 1,000 Mbps from Starry.

Cons

Starry vs. HBC Internet Top Cities

Starry serves 109 cities while HBC Internet is available in 156 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.