How Slow Download Speeds Affect You
Want faster download speeds? Run two or more connections – such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4G/5G cellular or Starlink – at the same time. Speedify is an app that combines two or more internet connections at once, so you get faster downloads and uploads and stay online if one connection drops out.
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With Speedify, your internet stays on when one connection fails.
When one of your internet connections drops, Speedify shifts your traffic to your remaining connections in under a second — so calls don’t cut out and downloads don’t stall.
Should you have a backup 4G, 5G, Starlink, or cable internet connection?
Yes — every internet connection goes down, including Starlink, which drops for ~34 minutes a day on average. A backup connection from a different provider means one outage never takes you fully offline. The most common options are a 4G/5G cellular hotspot, a cable or DSL line, or a second satellite dish.
4G/5G cellular
Works anywhere. Just a SIM or hotspot — no installation needed.
Learn more →Cable / DSL
Best for fixed locations. Different network, so outages rarely overlap.
Learn more →Second Starlink
Adds redundancy and throughput for remote sites or heavy usage.
Learn more →Speedify bonds any two connections into one — automatic failover, more speed, no dropped calls.
Try Speedify free →
Step 1: Test Your Download Speed
You want to learn how to speed up downloads, right? First you need to determine if the download speed you are getting from your ISP is fast enough and if it aligns with the contract. To test your speed you can go to speedtest.netor use any other speed testing tool.
If the download speeds are not what your ISP promised, you may want to clarify with them why that is.
If you are getting the speeds in the contract, but the downloads still seem slower there could be another thing causing the issue:
- Your ISP may be throttling your data.
- Do you have many devices connected to your Internet source? This can lead to slow download speeds.
- Make sure you are close to your router/modem to ensure you have the optimal download environment. Especially if you’re connecting via Wi-Fi.
5 Tips on How to Speed Up Downloads
Here are some general steps you can take to optimize your download speed:
- Cancel any running downloads in the background. Operating system, video game and software updates can contribute to slow download speeds. Check for ongoing app updates, back-ups or background streaming apps.
- Download only one file at a time. Cancel simultaneous downloads to provide a higher total speed to the most important file.
- Disable your firewall protection. Firewalls are good safety mechanics, but they can impair the speed of downloads. Be sure to re-enable it when the download is complete (use this step with caution).
- Use a wired connection instead of a wireless connection. Hooking directly into your router or modem will limit signal interference and maximize your download speed.
- Restart your device, and then start the download with only your browser running. Fewer running applications can create a faster download environment.
If you are using a mobile device, you can take a look at this article by Cnet. They go over steps specifically tailored for slow downloads on mobile devices.
However, the tips above are not proven to work anytime. If you need faster download speeds, you need more bandwidth. You can get more bandwidth by using 2 or more Internet connections at the same time.
Why Speedify Is the Best Solution to Speed Up Downloads
Speedify bonding VPN allows you to combine multiple internet sources into one faster and more reliable connection, increasing your bandwidth and download speed. Using channel bonding technology, Speedify allows you to take advantage of all internet connections available.
For example, you can combine WiFi and cellular data on your mobile device. You can also bond Ethernet and WiFi on your Mac and PC. But why stop there? Check out our video where we combine 15 connections on an iPad!
The combined speeds will allow you to download files faster. The failover protection Speedify offers will prevent your downloads from being interrupted.
Use Speedify to download files faster and more reliably at home or on the go. That’s how to speed up downloads – with Speedify!
Alex and the Speedify team are always exploring the latest in networking and security technology—like 5G, 6G, WiFi 7, laser and satellite internet—and sharing it in new discussion content across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn every week.
Got a tech question? Let's go deeper! Pop into Speedify Office Hours live every Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern. Speedify CEO Alex Gizis and our network engineers are standing by to break down your questions about networks, tech updates, and Speedify features.
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Combine Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink, and more into one faster, steadier connection. Free to try — no credit card required.
🚀 Speed
Faster uploads and downloads by bonding all your connections at once.
📶 Stability
Automatic failover in under a second when any connection drops.
🔒 Security
AES-256 encryption on every connection, on every network you join.
15M+ downloads worldwide. 75K+ five-star reviews on iOS and Android.