Anyone who spends a lot of time downloading things from the internet will inevitably run into privacy problems, ISP troubles, storage and bandwidth constraints, and other challenges. While there is always something new to download and add to your personal library, keeping track of all of your material can be difficult.
That is why digital nomads who download and upload GBs of data every month, as well as anyone searching for Plex hosting options, should definitely consider investing in a seedbox.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. GigaRapid in no way encourages any kind of copyright violation or circumvention of restrictions. You should always ensure that you have sufficient rights to the files you transfer using our cloud services.
Things to consider when purchasing a seedbox
If this is your first time buying for a seedbox, you are almost surely wondering what to look for in a decent one. These days, there are a variety of seedboxes to choose from. Learning the basics of how to select a high-quality seedbox on your own can still be beneficial.
Price
When purchasing a seedbox, the first aspect to consider is likely the most obvious: the price. Seedboxes have a monthly fee, but getting one is more complicated than picking the cheapest option.
Always consider how much storage space you'll require, as well as the download and upload speeds you desire, before deciding on a price range.
For example, a seedbox with 10Gbps and 1000Gb of storage for $15 a month would be a good deal for some people, but those on a tight budget will likely be pleased with a seedbox with 1Gbps and 100Gb of storage for $5 a month.
Bandwidth and Network Speed Limitations
Seedboxes charge a monthly subscription, and bandwidth constraints are also based on a monthly basis. Seedboxes should be purchased based on how much downloading or uploading you anticipate to accomplish per month. It's pointless to spend more for a 1000GB seedbox when you only require 200GB every month.
Storage
You must evaluate not just how much storage space a seedbox provides, but also the sort of storage space available. HDD (Hard Drive Disk), SSD (Solid State Drive), and NVMe (Nonvolatile Memory Express) are the three basic types of storage systems (Non-Volatile Memory Express).
The conventional consensus is that HDDs are less expensive but slower, SSDs are significantly faster and often less expensive, and NVMe is a far faster variation of SSD virtual speeds. While SSDs are approximately three times faster than HDDs, NVMe is around four times faster.
Users that prefer to download files will be alright with just HDD storage, while heavy seeders will benefit the most from NVMe SSDs, which are exceptionally fast when it comes to huge file transfers. When it comes to file transfers, NVMe SSDs can go as fast as 2Gbps.
Transcode Plex
The Plex transcoding is one of the more technical components of choosing a seedbox to buy. Plex transcoding is a simple technique that allows Plex to play media that would otherwise be incompatible with the device trying to access the file by converting it to a different codec or lowering the resolution to a level that the device and network speeds can handle.
Because not all seedboxes offer limitless Plex transcoding, if this is a must-have feature for you, you'll need to pay attention to the few plans that do.
GPU Acceleration
Plex transcoding may also include other capabilities such as GPU acceleration. This allows the transcoding to be handled by your GPU rather than your CPU. This can help users with slower CPUs by eliminating pop-ins and stutters, as well as speeding up the transcoding in general. Varying seedboxes will allow for different quantities of simultaneous transcodes, so keep that in mind if it applies to your needs.
Specifications for CPU and RAM
Seedboxes have their own CPU and RAM specifications, just as they have when it comes to storage.
While RAM is more crucial for multitasking, excellent CPU specs are especially important for speedier data downloads and uploads, as well as some of the additional apps you might install, such as Plex.
The more powerful a CPU you need, the faster your maximum download and upload rates will be. If you want to run regular download and upload tasks, a 100Mbps connection with a dual core CPU and 2GB of RAM should suffice, while using plex for media streaming would required a 1Gbps connection with a quad-core CPU and 4GB of RAM.
Location of the Server
Knowing the location of the real server is one of the finer factors you can pay attention to when purchasing a seedbox. The closer a seedbox is to you, the faster the speeds and the lower the latency. While these advantages are likely to be minimal at best for downloading, they are more important for Plex streaming.
If you are concerned about network speed, you can purchase a seedbox within your own nation.
Shared or Not Shared
Another issue to consider is whether the seedbox is shared or not, as this affects RAM and CPU use. Shared seedbox plans are less expensive, but if you share it with others, the CPU consumption will most certainly be maxed out when numerous people are downloading or uploading at the same time.
If you want the fastest speeds, a dedicated or non-shared server is the best option. However, certain low-cost plans with high-quality CPUs are available for more casual seedbox user.
Uptime for Serving
While the seedbox's server location may be important to some, the seedbox's server uptime is critical for everyone. The uptime of a seedbox is what determines its reliability and stability. The shorter time a seedbox is down, the more time you have to download and upload, even when your PC is turned off and you are sleeping. You should look for a seedbox that has a minimum of 99.9% uptime.
Root Access
A seedbox with root access is one feature that will appeal to some individuals. Root access is similar to having administrator permissions, in that it gives you complete control over the hardware and software that operates your seedbox, including the operating system.
You can control things like server uptime, application updates, and many other configuration options if you have root access. Seedboxes with root access are normally more expensive, but for individuals with significant technical knowledge, this can be a huge benefit.
While root access is not required for most users to have a great seedbox experience, it can be useful and well worth the money for those who want complete control over their seedbox. All of our Gigabox plan (except eco plans) comes with root access (via sudo).
Compatibility of Apps
One of the best features of any seedbox is its extensive list of app compatibility. The more apps or plugins that can function with a seedbox, the better, is a solid rule of thumb. There's no such thing as having too many apps working for you.
Google Drive integration, VPN server, Sonarr, Radarr, a Usenet client, and a torrent client are just a few of the best seedbox apps. Because of the extraordinary amounts of storage transferring, internet security, and file-sharing that these apps provide, many individuals consider them essentials. Seedbox apps are divided into three categories: file synchronization, download or upload automation, and media streaming.
Many of these apps are fantastic because, once set up and configured, they will run in the background and execute their tasks automatically. Everything from editing video files to syncing files across various places is a big benefit that comes as standard with the optimal seedbox experience. Always go with a seedbox that has a lot of app compatibility. Our product Gigabox supports over 90+ applications.
Installation and User Experience
The last few considerations to make when purchasing a seedbox are installation complexity & user experience. While these qualities may not be make or break for some, they should be considered because they can make the difference between choosing one seedbox over another with similar features.
The installation procedure is one of these features. The ease and speed with which it may be done can be a deciding factor, especially for those who are less tech savvy or are completely new to seedboxes. Fortunately, most popular seedboxes feature one-click or fast installation options.
Other aspects are the user interface and dashboard. The easier it is to configure your settings and install additional apps on a seedbox dashboard, the better.
The company's customer assistance is an unsung hero among seedboxes' users. Getting in touch with staffs by email, voice chat, or text chat can be a lifesaver for seedbox owners who require expert guidance on technical concerns. It's also crucial to know if this assistance is available around the clock. A FAQ or wiki page containing information can also be quite beneficial.
Options for Payment
Various payment methods are something that even the most cautious internet users will want. Because seedboxes place such a high value on anonymity, payment mechanisms like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will adhere to this principle.
Most people will be content with the more traditional means supplied by most seedboxes, such as credit cards or Paypal accounts. Extra financial features such as money back guarantees or other types of reimbursements might also be handy for customers who just want to try out a seedbox or are unsure.