Improving Live Streaming Video Quality Using Internet Connection Bonding (Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ethernet)
Stuttering video and a stream that cuts out in front of an audience usually trace back to one thing: a single internet connection that dips at the worst moment. The answer is combining connections: using two or more internet connections at the same time, so no single one carries the whole broadcast.
Speedify is a software app that combines connections without extra hardware, spreading your upload across Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and satellite internet connections. Speedify needs two or more connections for that; on a single connection it works as an encrypted VPN and cannot stop that connection from dropping. This article compares hardware and software for combining connections, then walks through running Speedify on the streaming device itself, so your upload stays steady and viewers see a clean picture.
Speedify gives you the upload headroom a clean stream needs
Improving Live Streaming Internet by Combining Connections: Solutions Compared
Below are the most popular solutions for combining internet connections when live streaming, compared on equipment, maximum speed and cost.
| Dejero | LiveU | Mushroom Networks | Peplink | Speedify | Streambox | Teradek | TVU Networks | |
| Typical equipment | Dedicated hardware bonding device | Dedicated hardware bonding device + streaming service subscription | Dedicated hardware bonding device | Dedicated hardware bonding device | Software subscription to run directly on supported devices | Dedicated hardware bonding device + streaming service subscription | Dedicated hardware streaming / bonding device + streaming / bonding service subscription | Dedicated hardware bonding device |
| Portability | No | Some solutions only, e.g. LiveU Solo | Some solutions only, e.g. Streamer, Streamer Pro | Some solutions only, e.g. SpeedFusion Engine Series | Yes, depending on the device it’s running on: laptop, mobile device | Some solutions only, e.g. AVENIR Mini 5 | Some solutions only, e.g. Teradek Bond, Teradek LinkPro | Some solutions only, e.g. TVU One / Nano |
| Supported connection types | Ethernet (Gateway 211 only), Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular |
| Maximum bonding speed | 1 Gbps | 20 Mbps for streaming / 60 Mbps for file transfer (LU600 HEVC) | Streamer Pro: 30 Mbps max. throughput Streamer: 1 Gbps (standalone), 30 Mbps (RTMP) max. throughput |
200 Mbps with SpeedFusion Cloud | 300 Mbps: Speedify public servers 1 Gbps: Speedify with a dedicated server | 1 Gbps | According to streaming settings – limited by ingest servers | 1 Gbps for the 5G TVU One Router (portable) |
| Technology | Smart Blending Technology | LiveU Reliable Transport (LRT) | Broadband bonding | SpeedFusion and other business-oriented ones | Combining connections, Speedify protocol | Network bonding | Sharelink, Core | IS+ cellular bonding |
| Cost | Approx. $4000 for the Gateway 211 | Starting at $995 for the LiveU solo + $450 / year for the LRT service | Starting at $10,000 | Starting at $499 for the Peplink UBR LTE + SpeedFusion Cloud subscription starting at $20 / 6 months / 500 GB | $89.99 / year Optional: additional cost for the dedicated server(s) |
Starting at $495 for the Streambox Cloud Event Package + the cost of the Avenir Mini 5 | Starting at $4,990 for the Teradek LinkPro Backpack + $25 / month for the Sharelink service + additional cost per GB over 50 GB | Upon request – should be at least a few hundred dollars for the TVU Router Nano |
All of these solutions can improve live streaming internet for:
- IRL live streaming
- remote learning
- online and hybrid events, including wedding videography, concerts, etc.
- reporting from the field
- entertainment
- houses of worship
How to Improve Your Live Streaming Internet with Speedify Software That Combines Connections
There are three main differentiators when it comes to Speedify vs. any of the other solutions for combining connections to improve your live streaming internet:
- Hardware vs. software-only: Speedify prioritizes live streaming while running on your computer or mobile device. Being a software-only service, Speedify is more versatile and portable: you don’t need additional space, power sources or equipment to set it up for live streaming or transferring files.
- Cost: all hardware-based solutions for combining connections (Dejero, LiveU, Mushroom Networks, Peplink, Streambox, Teradek and TVU Networks) need an initial investment of at least $495 plus a subscription to cloud services. With Speedify, you only pay for the monthly or yearly subscription.
- Flexibility: instead of committing to dedicated hardware for combining connections, with Speedify you can turn any supported device into a machine that combines internet connections for live streaming. You can even create your own router that combines internet connections and use it like a hardware device.
Looking for a real world use case? Read about Doug Piper’s decision to live stream beer tasting using Speedify after considering a LiveU setup.
Speedify Improves Live Streaming Internet Directly on Your Streaming Device
Speedify can combine multiple internet sources into one connection for more stable and secure live streaming, video calling and web browsing. Speedify uses all available connections at the same time instead of switching between them.
The main benefit is a stable connection with failover protection, which matters when live streaming anything. If one of your connections fails or becomes unusable, Speedify routes the data through the other working connection(s) until the failed one recovers. Speedify does all of this automatically, in the background.
As a VPN, Speedify also provides encryption. On a single connection that can make it a little slower; with two or more connections combined, you get more bandwidth as well. Speedify is compatible with all recent computers and mobile devices. Please check the updated system requirements on the download page.
Speedify
Get started with Speedify today.
Speedify combines Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and satellite into one faster, more reliable internet connection. Free to try: 5 GB a month with a free account. No credit card required.
🚀 Speed
Faster uploads and downloads, because Speedify uses all your internet connections at once.
📶 Stability
If one internet connection drops, Speedify moves your traffic to the others in milliseconds.
🔒 Security
AES-256 encryption on every internet connection, on any network you join.
15M+ downloads worldwide. 75K+ five-star reviews on iOS and Android.