Starlink vs Amazon Leo
The operational mega-constellation vs the well-funded challenger: subscribers, throughput, and pricing.
Side by side
| Attribute | Starlink | Amazon Leo |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Hawthorne, United States | Seattle, United States |
| Entity type | commercial | commercial |
| Operational status | operational | operational |
| Sectors | satellite-communications, satellite-operators | satellite-communications, satellite-operators |
| Significant people | Elon Musk (SpaceX CEO & Founder) | Andy Jassy (Amazon CEO), Rajeev Badyal (Vice President, Amazon Leo) |
What each one does
Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX, providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet globally. As of late 2025, SpaceX has launched over 10,000 Starlink satellites, making it the largest satellite constellation ever deployed and comprising approximately 65% of all active satellites in orbit. The service has grown to over 8 million active subscribers worldwide, with 2 million in the United States, adding roughly 12,200 new users daily. Starlink serves residential, business, maritime, aviation, and government customers across more than 70 countries. The constellation utilizes AI-powered beamforming, low-latency routing, and edge computing technologies. SpaceX maintains an aggressive launch cadence of approximately 233 satellites per month, with plans to expand to 12,000 satellites initially and potentially 34,400 in later phases.
Full Starlink profileAmazon Leo
Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) is Amazon's ambitious satellite internet constellation targeting 3,236 low Earth orbit satellites to provide global high-speed broadband service. Rebranded in November 2025, the name references the LEO constellation powering the network. Full-scale deployment began in April 2025 with over 80 launches planned through partnerships with Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance, with more than 150 satellites already operational. Amazon Leo serves major enterprise customers including JetBlue for in-flight connectivity, L3Harris for defense applications, DirecTV Latin America, Sky Brasil, and NBN Co (Australia's government broadband network). The service positions Amazon as the second major player in modern LEO satellite internet alongside SpaceX's Starlink, with CEO Andy Jassy confirming the competitive LEO market will have 'two players' with modern technology.
Full Amazon Leo profileStarlink vs Amazon Leo — frequently asked
Quick answers to the questions most often searched.
- What's the difference between Starlink and Amazon Leo?
- The operational mega-constellation vs the well-funded challenger: subscribers, throughput, and pricing.
- When was Starlink founded compared to Amazon Leo?
- Starlink was founded in 2015, and Amazon Leo was founded in 2019.
- Where are Starlink and Amazon Leo headquartered?
- Starlink is headquartered in Hawthorne; Amazon Leo is headquartered in Seattle.