Upload Speed: The rate that data is transferred from the user’s computer to the Internet. While you can’t control the difference between them, there are a few things you can take to improve them.ĭownload Speed: The rate at which data is transferred from the Internet to the user’s device. Both upload and download speeds are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). It always has been, and always will be controlled by your provider. There’s not really a whole lot you can do about it. Your upload speed is going to be drastically lower than your download speed. You can use these results to compare the speeds you’re actually getting vs what you’re paying your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This allows you to see the download speed, upload speed, and ping rate of each individual device you’re using. Knowing the difference could mean a world of difference in how, where, and what you stream.įor starters, take an Internet Speed Test. So if you’re suffering from buffering or lamenting your lag, it’s time we broke down the difference between download and upload speeds.
Every time you press play, whether you like it or not, you’re only as good as your internet speed. Almost everyone in the United States (a whopping 74 million subscribers) stream some sort of video every day–from Netflix to Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock TV, Hulu, and even Youtube. Whether you’re a bandwidth buff, or brand new to the buying experience–you know that you’re at the mercy of those 5G and WiFi bars.
