---
title: "AST SpaceMobile vs SpaceX Starlink Stock: ASTS vs SPCX Compared | Orbit Alpha"
description: "AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) against SpaceX (SPCX), whose Starlink runs a rival direct-to-cell service: market cap, returns, revenue, cash, dilution and the race to connect ordinary phones."
url: https://www.orbitalpha.cloud/compare/ast-spacemobile-vs-spacex
updated: 2026-10-18
---

# AST SpaceMobile vs SpaceX stock: ASTS vs SPCX
Updated 18 Oct 2026 from live prices and SEC filings
As of 18 Oct 2026: By market value, SpaceX is about 125 times the size of AST SpaceMobile ($1.98T against $15.82B). SpaceX has only traded since 12 June 2026, so it has no full-year return; it is up 8.2% on its $135 IPO price.

AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX's Starlink are racing to connect ordinary mobile phones directly to satellites, with no special handset. AST is a pure play on that idea: it builds large BlueBird satellites and partners with mobile operators such as AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone. Starlink's direct-to-cell service works with T-Mobile in the US and other carriers abroad, but it is a small part of a company whose revenue comes mainly from Starlink broadband, launches and AI.

## ASTS vs SPCX side by side

|  | [ASTS](https://www.orbitalpha.cloud/stocks/asts) AST SpaceMobile | [SPCX](https://www.orbitalpha.cloud/stocks/spcx) SpaceX |
|---|
| Share price | $40.66 | $146.03 |
| Market cap | $15.82B | $1.98T |
| Year to date | -51.3% | -9.3% |
| 1 year | -51.3% | -9.3% |
| Revenue | $115.3M (12 months) | $7.81B (latest quarter) |
| Revenue growth | +2265.6% (12 months) | +91.9% (latest quarter) |
| Net income | -$618.8M (12 months) | -$541.0M (latest quarter) |
| Cash and investments | $4.59B | $100.01B |
| Debt | $2.97B | $38.28B |
| Free cash flow (12 months) | -$1.64B | - |
| Cash runway | 34 months | - |
| Insider buying minus selling (12 months) | -$458.5M | -$53.7M |
| US government contract awards (12 months) | None | $1.67B |
| Next earnings | 9 Nov 2026 | 20 Oct 2026, after close |

Financials are from each company's latest 10-Q and 10-K filings. Where 12-month figures are not yet available (for example, after a recent listing), the latest quarter is shown and labelled.

## Key differences

- Pure play or part of a giant: an ASTS share is almost entirely a bet on satellite-to-phone service. Direct-to-cell is one of many businesses inside SpaceX.
- Satellites: AST uses a small number of very large satellites with big antennas to deliver broadband speeds to phones. Starlink uses its existing launch capacity to put up many smaller direct-to-cell satellites.
- Funding: AST has relied on selling shares and convertible debt to pay for its constellation. SpaceX generates cash from Starlink and launches, and raised $75 billion in its IPO.
- Launch: AST pays other companies, including SpaceX, to launch its satellites, so it depends partly on its rival's rockets.

## Full company pages

- [ASTS stock: AST SpaceMobile price, filings and news](https://www.orbitalpha.cloud/stocks/asts)
- [SPCX stock: SpaceX price, filings and news](https://www.orbitalpha.cloud/stocks/spcx)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Starlink compete with AST SpaceMobile?
Yes. Both offer satellite service that works with ordinary phones through mobile network partners. AST is built around this market; for SpaceX it is one part of Starlink.

### Can I buy Starlink stock instead of ASTS?
There is no separate Starlink share. The way to own Starlink is through SpaceX stock (SPCX), which also gives exposure to SpaceX's launch and AI businesses. The Starlink stock guide explains more.

### What is the difference between AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX stock?
AST SpaceMobile: Building a satellite network designed to provide cellular broadband directly to standard, unmodified mobile phones, in partnership with mobile network operators. SpaceX: Operates Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon, is developing Starship, and runs the Starlink broadband constellation. Listed on Nasdaq in June 2026.

### Which is better, ASTS or SPCX?
That depends on what you want to own and how much risk you can take. Orbit Alpha does not make recommendations; the table compares size, growth, cash and dilution so you can weigh them yourself.
Prices from Yahoo Finance; financials, insider trades and share counts from SEC EDGAR; contract awards from USAspending.gov. Figures as of 18 Oct 2026, refreshed whenever the site updates. Orbit Alpha is information, not investment advice.