Connectify
{{short description|American networking software company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Connectify
| logo =
| type = Private
| industry = Computer software
| foundation = {{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|01}}
| founder = Alex Gizis
| location_city = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Alex Gizis (CEO)|Bhana Grover (President)|Brian Prodoehl (CTO)|Scott Ackerman (Creative Director)}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|Connectify Hotspot, Speedify, Powered by Speedify}}
| brands = {{Hlist|Connectify Hotspot, Speedify, Powered by Speedify}}
| website = {{URL|www.connectify.com}}
| location_country = United States
}}
Connectify ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|n|ɛ|k|t|ɪ|f|aɪ}}) is an American software company that develops networking software for consumers, professionals and companies.{{Cite web|url=http://broadpathpr.com/speedify-solves-frustrating-dead-wi-fi-hotspot-problem-by-intelligently-combining-wi-fi-and-mobile-data-connections-for-faster-more-reliable-connectivity/|title=Broadpath – Strategic Communications » Speedify Solves Frustrating "Dead Wi-Fi Hotspot Problem" by Intelligently Combining Wi-Fi and Mobile Data Connections for Faster, More Reliable Connectivity|website=broadpathpr.com|date=17 November 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-05}} Connectify Hotspot is a virtual router and Wi-Fi repeater software for Microsoft Windows. Speedify{{Cite news|url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/speedify|title=Speedify VPN review|work=TechRadar|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en}} is a mobile VPN bonding service{{Cite news|url=http://speedify.com/blog/vpn-vs-mobile-vpn-differences/|title=What Is a Mobile VPN and How Is It Different from a VPN? - Speedify|date=2017-09-30|work=Speedify|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en-US}} and app with channel bonding capabilities,{{Cite web |title=Connectify commercializes Speedify channel bonding service {{!}} FierceWireless |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/connectify-commercializes-speedify-channel-bonding-service |access-date=2017-10-05 |website=www.fiercewireless.com |language=en}} that helps combine Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, Ethernet, Starlink and Satellite connections at the same time. Powered by Speedify delivers embedded solutions for routers, networking appliances, and smart devices.
History
Connectify launched their first product, Connectify Hotspot, in October 2009. It can enable a Windows PC to serve as a router over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Along with a Windows 10 or higher certified Wi-Fi device it can act as a wireless access point. This enables users to share files, printers, and Internet connections between multiple computing devices without the need for a separate physical access point or router.
Connectify spent the next two years improving the product, first making it free and ad-supported. In 2011, Connectify switched to a freemium commercial model which included premium features for paying customers. These features included extended support of 3G/4G mobile devices, fully customizable SSIDs and premium customer support.
In 2011, Connectify received funding from In-Q-Tel to begin developing a more powerful and secure remote networking platform and a connection-aggregation application. Connectify used this funding to develop the foundation of the application, and then in 2012 turned to the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to raise additional funding to develop Connectify Dispatch. Dispatch was a load balancer which could combine any number of Ethernet, Wi-Fi or mobile Internet connections.
In 2014, Connectify launched Speedify, a channel bonding application for PCs running Microsoft Windows and macOS.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/slow-internet-is-the-worst-speedify-lets-you-combine-internet-connections-for-faster-speed-262881001.html|title=Slow Internet is the Worst: Speedify Lets You Combine Internet Connections for Faster Speed|last=Connectify|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-05}} In January 2016, Speedify for Mobile was launched at CES,{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/video/speedify-at-ces-2016/519399936/|title=Speedify at CES 2016|last=Shivakumar|first=Felicia|website=TechCrunch|date=8 January 2016 |language=en|access-date=2017-10-05}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2016/01/speedify-mobile-combines-wi-fi-mobile.html|title=Speedify Mobile combines Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth technology to provide more reliable access to the internet ~ Android Coliseum|last=Moore|first=Ryan|website=Android Coliseum|date=4 January 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-05}} adding support for iOS and Android. In December 2016, Speedify added encryption on all supported platforms, turning it into a mobile virtual private network.{{Cite news|url=http://speedify.com/blog/release-notes/introducing-speedify-5-0/|title=Introducing Speedify 5.0 - Speedify|date=2016-12-28|work=Speedify|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en-US}}
Connectify released other apps: Pingify (in 2017) - a mobile network diagnostics tool, and EdgeWise Connect (in 2019), which were eventually discontinued.
Products
= Speedify =
{{Main article|Speedify}}
Speedify is a software-based channel bonding service available app for devices running Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS and routers running OpenWrt. Speedify can combine multiple Internet connections given its link aggregation capabilities. In theory, this should offer faster Internet connection speeds and failover protection.
Speedify 1.0 was launched in June 2014{{Cite news |date=2014-06-09 |title=Introducing Speedify, the Solution to Slow Internet - Speedify |url=http://speedify.com/blog/release-notes/introducing-speedify/ |access-date=2017-10-09 |work=Speedify |language=en-US}} as a channel bonding service. Starting 2016, as a VPN service, Speedify's privacy policy states they do not log what users do or what sites they visit through the Speedify service.{{Cite news|url=http://speedify.com/privacy-policy/|title=Privacy Policy - Speedify|work=Speedify|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en-US}}
Starting with version 10, in 2020, Speedify provides QoS for live streams with its new streaming mode, which dynamically prioritizes streaming traffic.
Speedify's version 14, launched in 2023, introduced Pair & Share.{{Cite web |last=Gizis |first=Alex |date=2023-09-21 |title=We’re Raising the Bar on Cellular Bonding |url=https://speedify.com/blog/featured/introducing-pair-and-share-cellular-bonding/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Speedify |language=en-US}} This allows sharing cellular connections back and forth between multiple Speedify users on the same local network wirelessly.
The Speedify app can be used for free for the first 2 GB each month;{{Cite news|url=https://speedify.com/download/|title=Download {{!}} Speedify - Speed up everything you do online|work=Speedify|access-date=2018-09-27|language=en-US}} there are monthly and yearly subscription plans available, as well as access to dedicated VPN servers.
Tom's Guide picked Speedify as the fastest VPN in late 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/fastest-vpn,news-28753.html|title=The Fastest VPNs|website=Tom's Guide|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26}} Speedify became Citrix Ready in late 2019.{{Cite web|last=Citrix|first=Anil Kumar Anil Kumar is a Technical Marketing Manager at|date=2019-12-04|title=Speedify is Citrix Ready – and ready to boost mobile worker connectivity|url=https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2019/12/04/speedify-is-citrix-ready-and-ready-to-boost-mobile-worker-connectivity/|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Citrix Blogs|language=en-US}}
= Speedify for enterprise =
Speedify's solutions for companies include:
- Speedify Teams{{Cite web |title=Speedify For Enterprise |url=https://speedify.com/enterprise/#teams |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Speedify |language=en-US}} is a multi-seat Speedify mobile VPN subscription with added centralized account management capabilities.
- Speedify SDK allows developers to build the Speedify functionality into their own apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.{{Citation |title=speedify/speedify-sdk-docs |date=2024-10-03 |url=https://github.com/speedify/speedify-sdk-docs |access-date=2024-10-28 |publisher=Speedify}}
- Powered by Speedify{{Cite web |title=Speedify For Enterprise |url=https://speedify.com/enterprise/#poweredbyspeedify |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Speedify |language=en-US}} allows vendors to embed Speedify into their networking devices. As of October 2024, Miri Technologies and Magewell released the Miri X510 bonding router.{{Cite web |title=Miri Technologies Launches X510 Bonding Network Router to Enable Fast, Resilient Internet Anywhere |url=https://www.miri.tech/news/miri-x510-launch |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Miri Technologies |language=en-CA}}
= Connectify Hotspot =
Connectify Hotspot is a virtual router software application available for PCs running Windows 7 or a later version. It was launched in 2009 by Connectify and it has 3 main functions:
- Wi-Fi hotspot - users can share the Internet connection from their PC through a Wi-Fi adapter.{{Cite news |date=2017-02-23 |title=How to Turn Your Windows Laptop into a Wi-Fi Hotspot - Connectify |url=http://www.connectify.me/blog/how-to-turn-your-windows-laptop-into-a-wifi-hotspot/ |access-date=2017-10-09 |work=Connectify |language=en-US}} The free version of Connectify Hotspot only allows sharing of wired or Wi-Fi Internet via Wi-Fi. The paid versions allow users to share any type of Internet connection, including 4G / LTE. through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.{{Cite news |title=Features of Connectify Hotspot - Connectify |url=http://www.connectify.me/hotspot |access-date=2017-10-09 |work=Connectify |language=en-US}}
- Wired router - users can share a computer's Wi-Fi connection via Ethernet. This functionality is only available in the paid versions of Connectify Hotspot.
- Wi-Fi repeater - users can extend the range of a Wi-Fi network and bridge other devices on that network directly. This functionality is only available in the paid versions of Connectify Hotspot.
Starting with version 2017, Connectify Hotspot also incorporates a universal ad blocker for clients connecting to the Wi-Fi or Ethernet network it creates.{{Cite news |date=2017-01-13 |title=Introducing Connectify Hotspot 2017! - Connectify |url=http://www.connectify.me/blog/release-notes/connectify-hotspot-2017-is-here/ |access-date=2017-10-09 |work=Connectify |language=en-US}} This feature is available for free.
Discontinued apps
Pingify was a free utility for testing network coverage, Internet reliability and VPN dependability.{{Cite web|url=https://pingify.me/|title=Pingify - Mobile Network Diagnostics Made Easy|website=Pingify|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-26}} It was available for iOS devices, helping you run ping on your iPhone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/fyi/how-to-run-ping-network-diagnostics-on-your-iphone/|title=How to Run Ping (Network Diagnostics) on Your iPhone|last=Hoffman|first=Chris|website=How-To Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626204726/https://www.howtogeek.com/fyi/how-to-run-ping-network-diagnostics-on-your-iphone/|url-status=dead}} Pingify was developed as an internal testing tool for Speedify on iOS - a mobile network diagnostics tool. Then, in 2017, it was made publicly available.
EdgeWise Connect was a simple VPN available for iPhone and Android which could seamlessly move web traffic between the Wi-Fi and cellular data connections. The service used channel bonding technology and was fully encrypted.{{Cite web|url=https://edgewise.app/|title=EdgeWise - Stay connected, even at the edge of Wi-Fi|website=EdgeWise|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-26}} EdgeWise Connect was launched in early 2019 and could be used for free for a few hours each day; there were monthly and yearly subscription plans available.{{Cite web|url=https://edgewise.app/help/|title=Help|website=EdgeWise|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-26}}
References
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
|url=http://www.techspot.com/news/37410-wifi-sharing-utility-connectify-10-launches-remains-free.html
|title=Wi-Fi sharing utility Connectify 1.0 launches, remains free
|work=TechSpot
|publisher=TechSpot, Inc
|last=Vilches
|first=Jose
|date=22 December 2009
|accessdate = 9 January 2012
}}
|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/CIAs-investment-firm-backs-Phillys-Connectify.html
|title=CIA's investment firm backs Philly's Connectify
|work=Philly.com
|publisher=Interstate General Media, LLC
|last=DiStefano
|first=Joseph
|date=28 September 2011
}}
|url=http://d3fenmrty8pej4.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/all_thingsD-article.pdf
|title=Why Choose One? Connectify Blends VC and Crowdfunding in Kickstarter Campaign
|work=AllThingsD
|publisher=The Wall Street Journal
|last=Gannes
|first=Liz
|date=10 September 2012
}}
|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2028573/review-connectify-hotspot-turns-your-laptop-into-a-hotspot.html
|title= Review: Connectify Hotspot turns your laptop into a hotspot
|publisher=PC World
|last= Norris
|first= Jim
|date= 19 February 2013
|accessdate= 8 November 2014
}}
|url=http://www.instructables.com/id/Create-a-super-fast-wifi-hotspot/step2/Creating-a-wifi-hotspot-with-Connectify/
|title= Create a super fast wifi hotspot
|publisher= Instructables
|accessdate= 8 November 2014
}}
|url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/connectify-returns-kickstarter-enable-channel-bonding-cloud/2013-05-15
|title= Connectify returns to Kickstarter to enable channel bonding in the cloud
|publisher= FierceWirelessTech
|last= Parker
|first=Tammy
|date= 15 May 2013
|accessdate= 8 November 2014
}}
|url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/connectify-aggregates-wi-fi-3g-and-4g-fat-pipe/2012-08-12
|title= Connectify aggregates Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G into a fat pipe
|publisher= FierceWirelessTech
|last= Parker
|first=Tammy
|date= 12 August 2012
|accessdate= 8 November 2014
}}
|url=http://www.nextofwindows.com/connectify-released-a-much-improved-version-that-turns-your-windows-7-laptop-into-a-wifi-hotspot/
|title= Connectify Released A Much Improved Version That Turns Your Windows 7 Laptop into A WiFi Hotspot
|publisher=Next of Windows
|accessdate= 7 November 2014
}}
|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/25/yanked-from-the-cloud/
|title= Yanked From The Cloud: Why Connectify Unplugged Its Switchboard Campaign
|publisher=TechCrunch
|last= Rubin
|first= Ross
|date= 25 May 2013
|accessdate= 16 November 2014
}}
|url= http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/connectify-networking-bandwidth-switchboard-enterprise,1-1861.html
|title= Connectify Switchboard: Channel Bonding for the Enterprise
|publisher= Tom's IT Pro
|last= Parrish
|first= Kevin
|date= 11 April 2014
|accessdate= 16 November 2014
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140713201559/http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/connectify-networking-bandwidth-switchboard-enterprise,1-1861.html
|archive-date= 13 July 2014
|url-status= dead
}}
}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.connectify.me}}
- [https://speedify.com/ Speedify website]
Category:Windows-only shareware
Category:Windows-only freeware
Category:Communication software