PacketStream Review: Can You Still Earn Selling Bandwidth in 2025?
- Bailey
- Jun 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 21
Table of Contents
What if I told you your idle internet connection could earn you money, without clicking ads, answering surveys, or doing literally anything at all?
Sounds like one of those “get rich while you nap” scams, right? Trust me, I get the skepticism.
But in the world of passive income, there are platforms that pay you for simply sharing your unused bandwidth. I’ve reviewed a few already; like Honeygain, Pawns.app, and EarnApp, each with its own pros, cons, and quirks.
Now it’s time to look at one of the oldest players in the game: PacketStream.
Is it still worth it in 2025? Can you actually make money with it? And most importantly, what are they not telling you on the homepage?
What Is PacketStream and How Does It Work?
PacketStream is a platform that lets you do something pretty unusual, you can sell your unused internet bandwidth to people who need access to real residential IPs from around the world.
It works like this: you install a small app on your computer, and while it runs in the background, it shares some of your internet connection with the PacketStream network.
Your IP address is then used by verified buyers (often businesses or researchers) who want to route their traffic through real, residential internet users. This helps them perform tasks like web scraping, SEO tracking, ad verification, and bypassing geo-restrictions.
In short, PacketStream is a peer-to-peer residential proxy network. Instead of building expensive data centers, they rely on people like you and me to power the network using our home internet.
It’s a win-win; buyers get access to affordable, scalable proxy traffic, and sellers (that’s us) get paid for sharing bandwidth we probably weren’t using anyway.
The app supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, requiring minimal specs, around 512 MB of RAM and a stable connection.
Your traffic is encrypted and anonymized within a secure tunnel. PacketStream filters out malicious or illegal activity before it ever touches your device, aiming to keep your personal data safe.
Still, it’s smart to stay aware of what kind of traffic passes through your network .
How Much Can You Actually Make with PacketStream?
Let’s get to the question everyone’s really here for: how much money can you actually make with PacketStream?
As of 2025, PacketStream pays $0.10 USD per gigabyte of bandwidth shared through its network. That rate has stayed the same for years, which is both a good and bad thing; it’s predictable, but not exactly generous.
So, if you share 10 GB, that’s $1.If you manage 100 GB in a month, that’s $10.
Simple math, but the tricky part is getting enough traffic to hit those numbers.
Your actual earnings depend on:
Where you live — Users in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada tend to get more proxy traffic, since those IPs are in high demand.
How long you’re online — The more stable and consistent your internet connection, the more data can be routed through your device.
Your ISP and connection type — Residential connections work best. VPNs, mobile hotspots, or business lines may block traffic or disqualify you altogether.
Some users report making a few dollars per month, while others (especially those with 24/7 setups or multiple devices) can reach the $10–$20 range. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s passive; once it’s set up, you don’t have to think about it.
PacketStream currently has a minimum payout threshold of $5, and all payments are made through PayPal.
As of 2025, there’s no direct crypto payout option, so if you’re hoping for Bitcoin or USDT transfers, you’ll have to cash out via PayPal and convert it manually.
Tips to Maximize Your PacketStream Earnings
While PacketStream is pretty much a set-it-and-forget-it platform, there are a few smart ways to squeeze out more value from your connection.
If you’re going to share your bandwidth, you might as well earn as much as possible from it, right?
Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you make the most out of PacketStream:
1. Keep Your Device Online 24/7
This one’s simple but crucial. The longer you’re connected, the more opportunities there are for PacketStream to route traffic through your IP. That means:
Turning off auto-sleep or hibernation settings
Running it on a secondary computer or low-power device that stays online all day
2. Use a Stable, High-Speed Connection
PacketStream favors IPs that are fast and consistent. If your internet is flaky or cuts out often, you’ll miss out on traffic and money. A stable home fiber or cable connection works best.
3. Stick to Residential IPs
Most buyers on PacketStream are specifically looking for real residential IP addresses. If your connection looks like it’s coming from a VPN, data center, or shared hosting service, your traffic volume might drop to zero. Make sure:
You’re not using a VPN or proxy on the device
Your ISP is actually assigning you a home/residential IP
4. Live in a High-Demand Region (If You Can)
Geography plays a big role in how much data gets routed through your device. Users in regions like the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Australia tend to see higher earnings because their IPs are in higher demand.
If you’re outside of these countries, earnings may be slower but still possible.
5. Combine with Other Passive Apps
Many PacketStream users also run similar apps like Honeygain, EarnApp, or Pawns.app to multiply their passive income streams. Just make sure:
Each app is allowed to run alongside the others (no conflicts or bans)
You’re not overloading your bandwidth or risking TOS violations
6. Don’t Use Mobile Data or Hotspots
PacketStream doesn’t officially support mobile connections, and traffic from those sources is either blocked or severely limited. Stick to wired or Wi-Fi home connections for best results.
7. Monitor Your Usage (Especially If You Have a Data Cap)
Some ISPs have monthly data limits or “fair usage” policies. Keep an eye on your usage so you don’t end up throttled or worse, paying overage fees.
Not every setup will rake in the same results, but with a little optimization, you can get the most out of what PacketStream has to offer. And if you’ve already got a machine running 24/7 anyway (like a mini PC, media server, or always-on desktop), it’s almost effortless.
Is PacketStream Safe and Legit?
When it comes to bandwidth-sharing apps, “Is this safe?” is probably the most asked—and most valid—question. After all, you’re letting unknown internet traffic pass through your device. That sounds like a red flag.
So, is PacketStream actually legit?
The short answer: Yes, it’s a real, functioning platform that’s been around for a while, with no major scandals or shady behavior on record.
PacketStream was founded in 2018 by Ronald Bell and Arthur Aivazian, and it's based in Los Angeles, California.
It’s been operating steadily for several years, which already puts it ahead of many “get paid to share internet” apps that disappear within a few months.
As a seller (they call you a “Packet Broker”), you share unused bandwidth with vetted buyers who use it for things like:
SEO tracking
Web scraping
Ad verification
Market research
Bypassing geo-restrictions
This traffic is routed through your IP, but not tied to your identity. According to PacketStream, everything is encrypted and anonymized.
Your personal data, like your name, location, and browsing activity, isn’t exposed to buyers.
That said, there are a few important things to be aware of:
1. You Don’t Get to See the Traffic
Unlike some VPN services where you control the traffic flow, PacketStream doesn’t give you logs or detailed info about what kind of requests are routed through your IP. You’re trusting that their filtering system is doing its job.
2. It May Violate Some ISP Terms
Some internet providers don’t allow reselling or sharing bandwidth in their terms of service. This is rare for home users, but it’s worth double-checking, especially if you have a data cap or “fair usage” policy.
3. Legal Gray Areas in Some Countries
In most regions, using PacketStream is totally fine. But in countries with strict internet laws or heavy surveillance (like parts of the Middle East, India, or China), using a service like this could be riskier, so be sure to know your local regulations.
4. The Good News
PacketStream is safe for most users, especially if you’re on a home internet connection in a country with neutral or positive regulations around bandwidth use.
Like with any passive income app, the key is knowing what you’re signing up for and understanding that “passive” doesn’t always mean “risk-free.”
PacketStream doesn’t install adware, crypto miners, or sketchy browser extensions.
It runs quietly in the background and uses minimal system resources.
You can uninstall it anytime, no strings attached.
PacketStream Is a Good Fit For:
1. People with fast, unlimited home internet
If you’ve got a stable, always-on connection with no data cap, PacketStream is a perfect “set it and forget it” background app.
2. Tech-savvy users who understand the risks
If you know what a residential proxy is and you’re comfortable with letting encrypted traffic pass through your IP, you’re already ahead of most users.
3. Users in high-demand countries
People living in the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and other high-demand regions tend to earn more because their IPs are more valuable.
4 . Folks with a spare PC or always-on device
If you’ve got an old laptop, mini-PC, or desktop that runs 24/7 anyway, why not let it earn a few bucks a month?
5. Passive income stackers
If you’re already using Honeygain, EarnApp, or Pawns.app, adding PacketStream to the mix is easy and doesn’t require extra work—just keep an eye on your bandwidth.
PacketStream Might Not Be Worth It If:
1. Your internet is unstable, slow, or capped
Low speeds or data limits will limit how much traffic flows through your device—and how much you earn. Worse, you might accidentally use up your monthly data for pennies.
2. You’re extremely privacy-focused
While PacketStream anonymizes traffic, it doesn’t give you full transparency or logs of what’s being routed through your IP. If that idea makes you uneasy, it’s probably not for you.
3. You’re only using mobile data or public Wi-Fi
PacketStream doesn’t officially support mobile networks, and public/shared connections may violate their terms or get blocked entirely.
4 . You live in a region with strict internet laws
Some ISPs (looking at you, Comcast and Spectrum) explicitly forbid 'reselling' your bandwidth in their terms.
Final Verdict of PacketStream Review: Is It Still Worth It?
If you’re hoping after reading this PacketStream Review will make you rich, let’s set expectations right now: it won’t. You won’t retire early, quit your job, or buy a yacht with the earnings from sharing your bandwidth.
But if you’re someone who’s already online 24/7 with a fast, stable home connection—and you don’t mind sharing some of that unused bandwidth in exchange for a few extra dollars each month—PacketStream is still a solid option.
It’s easy to set up, doesn’t hog your system resources, and it plays nicely with other passive income apps like Honeygain or EarnApp.
While it hasn’t changed much over the years, it continues to quietly deliver on what it promises: a low-effort way to monetize idle internet capacity.
Would like to add that, countries with aggressive surveillance or internet restrictions (like China, Russia, parts of the Middle East) may not be safe or legal environments for using a service like PacketStream.
If your government monitors the internet like a hawk, maybe skip this one. For everyone else? Just don’t blame us if your ISP sends a vaguely threatening email with legal drama!
✅ Pros and ❌ Cons of Using PacketStream
Pros | Cons |
Can be stacked with other passive income apps | Slow earnings unless you’re in a high-demand country |
Runs in the background with almost no maintenance | $0.10/GB isn’t a high payout |
Low $5 cashout threshold via PayPal | No mobile app or crypto payout |
Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux | You can’t see what traffic is routed through your IP |
Traffic is encrypted and anonymized | May go against ISP terms in some regions |
So is it worth?
✅ Yes, if you’re realistic about the earnings
✅ Yes, if you want a hands-off income booster that doesn’t spam you with ads
❌ No, if you need more control, transparency, or faster results
At the end of the day, it’s not about “getting rich”... It’s about getting something for doing nothing.
And in that regard, PacketStream still earns its place on the passive income shortlist.
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