If you don’t know how to stop ISP throttling without changing a provider, read on and you will solve this problem without any efforts. You can hide your home address and remain anonymous on the net. Using proxy servers and the VPN, you can filter the web content, bypass throttling on streaming platforms and maintain confidentiality while downloading the content.
The easiest ways to bypass ISP throttling:
- Increase the download speed using a Proxy Server
- Encode traffic using VPN
If you are currently thinking of how to stop ISP throttling to watch and download videos from YouTube and Netflix, you can protect your identity using available tools.
What Is ISP Throttling?
ISP throttling is when your Internet provider cuts the connection speed at certain times of the day or for certain websites. Such restrictions affect video streaming speed, games and file-sharing via P2P networks.
To control the traffic, Internet providers filter it into two segments. The speed is not limited for social networks and Google Search while Internet providers lower it for YouTube, Hulu, Netflix and BitTorrent.
ISP throttling began when the number of users working with platforms like Netflix and HBO Go had sharply increased. Thanks to the speed cut, providers manage to control the traffic and reduce the network overload.
4 Tools to Detect ISP Throttling
To detect ISP throttling, use free online tools for testing the connection speed. You have to run an ISP throttling test, then activate the VPN and repeat testing. If the connection speed increased with the VPN, most probably, your Internet provider restricts your traffic.
1. Internet Health Test
- Free
- Detailed results
- Speed test on various servers
- Doesn’t measure specific protocols
Verdict: A free web service Internet Health Test checks the performance on such platforms as Netflix and YouTube for you to be aware of all the restrictions. To test your Internet connection, you should connect to one of the platform servers and run a speed test. If the indicator has decreased by 90%, it’s your ISP throttling your connection. One of the drawbacks is that it can’t measure specific protocols, such as videos, P2P, etc.
2. Netflix FAST Speed Test
- Gives additional information
- Protected website
- Possibility to share the results on social networks
- A mobile app doesn’t work
Verdict: This tool will be useful if you see that Netflix is loading slowly. You should run a speed test, and if the numbers are low, your Internet provider restricts your connection with Netflix. This tool shows additional info, such as your current IP address, data on the Internet provider and location of the test server.
The website is secure, and the test loads quickly. You can share the results on social networks. What is more, you won’t see any ads.
3. Google Video Quality Report
- Simple tool
- Rating of Internet providers
- Client support
- Only for YouTube
Verdict: This tool will definitely help you bypass ISP throttling. If you have noticed that YouTube videos are loading slowly, you can improve the situation using Google Video Quality Report. It shows the efficiency of Internet connections to YouTube servers.
If the quality of a YouTube connection is low, but the speed is okay, an Internet provider is likely to limit the connection. This tool also explains to the users what influences the video quality and what can be done to improve it.
4. YouTube Throttling Test
Using YouTube Throttling Test, you can manually check whether your Internet provider limits your video bandwidth capacity.
To start testing, open a video on YouTube in a 4K format. Check the resolution in the settings. Then, open a full-screen clip and see whether it buffers more than once. If yes, lower the resolution and try again.
Test the video like this till you can watch it without buffering. That is what the effective bandwidth capacity is. Compare the resolution with the YouTube Bitrate settings and assess video bandwidth capacity.
If it is much lower than the Internet speed, I recommend learning more about how to stop ISP throttling.
2 Ways to Stop ISP Throttling
You may hire a lawyer or complain about the Internet provider, but the proceedings can take years. The best way to bypass ISP throttling is to encrypt Internet connection using a proxy server or VPN.
1. Use a Proxy Server
A proxy server acts as a mediator for server queries. A proxy hides your IP address and traffic destination. It protects your identity and unblocks the content limited on your device.
You can use free or paid proxy servers. The first option is not reliable and is unlikely to bypass ISP throttling. A paid proxy is a dedicated server. You don’t have to share the bandwidth capacity with other users; what is more, your personal information is protected.
Advantages of using a proxy server:
Anonymity. A proxy server protects your data every time you get online. You can bypass ISP speed limit preserving anonymity.
Bypass geo-restrictions. A proxy server changes your location and unblocks the content.
Bandwidth capacity. Thanks to the dedicated proxy server, you will have unlimited bandwidth capacity.
However, there are some drawbacks when using proxy servers. To begin with, unreliable encryption of data. Secondly, a low download speed.
The list of the best proxy servers:
- Smartproxy - Unlimited threads
- Luminati - With mobile IPs
- RSocks - Unlimited bandwidth
- Oxylabs - With a web scraper
- Hidester - Doesn’t keep logs
2. Use a VPN
A VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel between a device and a remote server. All your traffic goes through this safe tunnel; thus, the data does not fall into the hand of an Internet provider. Moreover, your IP address is replaced with a server’s address so an Internet provider can’t define where the traffic goes from. Free VPNs bypass ISP throttling, especially the restrictions that are related to P2P and torrenting.
What features to consider when choosing a VPN:
No-Logs Policy. Even if your Internet provider finds out somehow what VPN you use, it will not prove that because there are no logs.
Deep Packet Inspection Prevention. Thanks to this tool, Internet providers will not be able to identify the source of data by the packet title since it is encrypted.
Kill Switch. Even if your VPN service is off, your data will be protected thanks to the kill switch feature. A VPN for torrenting also protects from IPv4, IPv6 and DNS data leaks.
Shared IP Addresses. This way, your actions will be difficult to detect since this IP address is used by hundreds of other people.
Multiple Protocols. You can use several protocols to protect the connection. Protocols encrypt your connection and you can switch between them any time.
The list of the best VPNs:
- Hotspot Shield - With unlimited browsing and streaming
- TunnelBear - For phone and PC
- Speedify - High secure speed
- Windscribe - Unlimited number of devices
- ProtonVPN Free - No data limit
