Comparison
Starlink, Iridium GO! or reChain: which connection for sailing?
Four solutions, different uses. This comparison helps you choose based on what you really need on board, not on top speed.
In short
Each one has its strengths.
- Starlink, if you want broadband: streaming, remote work, video calls, with the power and installation that come with it.
- Iridium GO! and GO! exec, if you want voice calls and low-bandwidth connected apps (very low for the GO!), with the budget to match.
- Garmin inReach + reChain, if you want the essentials: GRIB weather, web answers, tracking and messages, with very little power and a pocket-sized device.
The table
Detailed comparison
| Criterion | Starlink (Mini) | Garmin inReach + reChain | Iridium GO! | Iridium GO! exec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Streaming, remote work, video calls | Weather, information, position and messages, with little power | Voice calls, SMS and very low-bandwidth apps | Voice calls, email and low-bandwidth weather apps |
| What you get | Unlimited broadband internet | GRIB files, web answers, messages, position | Data at 2.4 kbps, 1 voice line | Internet up to 88 kbps, 2 voice lines |
| Power | 20 to 40 W continuously | Built-in battery, rechargeable over USB: up to 28 days (inReach Messenger, 10-minute tracking) | Battery: 5.5 h talk time, 15.5 h standby | Battery: 6 h talk time, 24 h standby |
| Equipment | Antenna, cabling, 12 V or 230 V power | The inReach and a phone (inReach Messenger: 7.8 × 6.4 × 2.3 cm, 114 g) | 11 × 8 cm unit, 305 g | 20 × 20 cm unit, 1.2 kg |
| In the grab bag | No | Yes | Yes, limited standby time | Possible, but heavy and short battery life |
| Network | Over 11,000 Starlink satellites | Iridium, about 66 satellites | Iridium, about 66 satellites | Iridium, about 66 satellites |
| Weather | Any online weather app | GRIB weather files (GFS or ECMWF), in 7 to 20 messages | Compatible weather apps, small files | Compatible weather apps |
| SOS | No dedicated service | inReach SOS button | Programmable SOS button | SOS via the IERCC |
| Cost | Starlink Mini about €199 + Maritime personal plan US$185/month | inReach Messenger about €300 + unlimited Garmin plan (Premium) about €60/month + reChain Premium €9/month (or 3 free requests/month) | Device about €1,074, plans about €100 to €200/month | Device about €2,148, plans about €130 to €480/month (unlimited: €300/month) |
| Disconnecting | Hard: everything is available | Natural: only what you ask for arrives | Partial: SMS and messaging apps stay available | Partial: messaging apps and email stay available |
| Limits | Depends on the boat's power and an antenna | No video, no photos, no web browsing, a few minutes' delay | Extremely slow data, expensive plans | Price, weight, very slow for the web |
Data checked in October 2026. Sources: Starlink satellite count, Starlink Mini power use, Iridium GO! and Iridium GO! exec specifications, Iridium GO! data speed, reseller prices for the devices (GO!, GO! exec) and plans (GO!, GO! exec). inReach Messenger specs (battery, size), inReach Messenger street price (about €263 to €312 depending on the retailer), Garmin inReach plans (Premium, unlimited messages: €59.99/month, activation fee excluded), Starlink Mini and Maritime personal plan (Starlink pricing). Prices change: check them before you buy.
Combine them
Not necessarily one or the other.
Many boats with internet on board also carry an inReach. reChain turns it into a backup plan: if power, the antenna or the network fails, weather, the assistant and messages keep coming through.
FAQ
The comparison, answered.
What is the best Starlink alternative for a sailboat?
It depends on what you need. For video and remote work, Starlink is the reference. For the essentials (weather, information, position, messages) with very little power and equipment, a Garmin inReach with reChain is a low-power and much cheaper alternative.
How much power does Starlink use on a sailboat?
A Starlink Mini typically draws 20 to 40 W continuously, and a standard dish more. An inReach runs on its internal battery, rechargeable over USB.
Is there a cheaper alternative to the Iridium GO!?
If you mostly need weather, information and messages, yes: a Garmin inReach with reChain uses the same Iridium network, without a €1,074 (Iridium GO!) or €2,148 (GO! exec) device, or a plan of at least €100 a month. The Iridium GO! devices remain better suited if you want voice calls or connected apps.
Can I get real GRIB files without Starlink?
Yes. reChain sends real GFS or ECMWF GRIB files to a Garmin inReach in 7 to 20 satellite messages, and the free reChain Grib app shows them offline or exports them to your routing software.
Set sail with reChain.
Three minutes is all it takes. Do it before you leave the dock.
- Install the free appreChain Grib, on iOS or Android, to prepare weather requests and read the files offline.
- Add the contactjcskipper.rechain
@gmail.com to your inReach contacts. No pairing, no account. - Create your tracking pageFree, so family and friends can follow your route and write to you. Create my page
Already convinced? Go unlimited: ⭐ Go Premium · €9/month