It doesn’t matter if we use all or not; everyone loves to have options readily available – options in food, clothes, and even TV channels.
In the streaming world, there are countless visual contents to consume; most of this content is peculiar or restricted to a specific geographical location.
To access these contents, what we did in the past was use VPN. However, as things progressed, many giant streaming companies discovered this method. They blocked access to their platforms for users who used VPNs.
Most streaming platforms allowed users to sign-up or log in to their platforms, start a stream, then block VPN users from actually streaming content or break streams while it’s ongoing.
Others made the attempts dead on arrival. Again, to outsmart these streaming companies, Smart DNS was born.
As its name suggests, this type of DNS could hide ride under the radar of Netflix and its counterparts, but it comes with a bit of catch which we would discuss later.
StreamLocator is somewhat a Smart DNS, but it takes things higher, as you’ll see below in this StreamLocator review.
We’ve broken down into bits all you need to know about it and help you decide if it’s worth the purchase.
What is StreamLocator?
StreamLocator is a plug-and-play WiFi router that comes equipped with an already configured SmartDNS.
With its Smart DNS feature, StreamLocator creates a subnetwork that equips it with the needed resources to unblock visual content on different streaming services simultaneously, just like a VPN would.
It is pretty easy to set up, giving users a breath of fresh air compared to the process it would take to set up a Smart DNS on other routers.
With StreamLocator, you’ll be getting access to international catalogs on streaming services like Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, Peacock, and so much more.
It makes your streaming device appear to be in the exact geo-location you want to access without you being present physically.
The Process of Streaming With Other Routers
Like almost every tech gadget out there, there are also a ton of StreamLocator alternatives. These alternatives have different modus operandi, which may come off as tedious for most users, especially when compared to StreamLocator.
No, StreamLocator isn’t the only gadget or service that offers Smart DNS; however, it is the simplest to set up and most efficient to use out there.
What Smart DNS does is, it changes your streaming device’s Domain Name Server (DNS) and reroutes it through a different proxy server.
The downside of smart DNS is it doesn’t encrypt your data, a sacrifice necessary for the speed it gives, which is way better than VPNs.
To create your Virtual Private Network (VPN), a substantial amount of tech knowledge is needed; it would demand installing a DD-WRT firmware, especially when the router isn’t configured to be ready for VPNs.
Typically, to mitigate the stress herein, people often settle for FlashRouters, which reduces the work of setting up a DD-WRT because it comes pre-installed with it.
DD-WRT is an open-source firmware, one of the top three router firmware alongside Tomato and OpenWRT; StreamLocator uses OpenWRT.
Although having a VPN-ready router is a breath of fresh air, you still need to configure a VPN tunnel and the OpenVPN client.
To do these, you’ll have to gain access to your ISP’s router control panel.
When you look at all these, you’ll smile at the ease StreamLocator offers and agree that this stress may be worth it but can be avoided with a device like StreamLocator.
StreamLocator WiFi router has carried out the background job for you, making creating a VPN stupendously easy.
It wouldn’t demand you are getting access to your ISP router’s control panel and doesn’t alter any settings already present on your ISP router; therefore, reverting to your usual configuration would be relatively easy when compared to the process above.
Why you should choose StreamLocator?
1. Makes connection easy
From the processes it would take to set up both your VPN-ready router and your other router that isn’t VPN-ready, we can see that StreamLocator is a breath of fresh air. In barely 5 minutes, you should be up and running.
You can start enjoying visual content on a considerable amount of streaming platforms with ease and on multiple compatible devices.
The second you connect your streaming device to the StreamLocator hub, you are good to go.
2. Speed
Speed is something we don’t joke with; game players and video streamers are big on speed.
With a good internet speed, you can enjoy your high-resolution contents (4k, 5k, and the rest) seamlessly without worrying about buffering or unnecessary breaks.
VPN by default sacrifices speed for encryption; StreamLocator doesn’t.
What may limit your speed is just your modem and ISP router. To get the best of StreamLocator, try following the documented instructions because this would make sure your device is connected adequately while giving maximum speed in return.
During our StreamLocator router review, we realized that it performs perfectly well with unlimited Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
It is compatible with 5GHz; thanks to its MediaTek MT7621A-based chipset, this dual-band router wouldn’t fail you at all.
We would discuss more on its Build and Design section.
3. Direct streams
IPTV services are in some way a StreamLocator alternative; what it does is “capture re-streams” content.
So, often on IPTV services, you are watching a pre-recorded show, program, or event, but StreamLocator doesn’t do this.
With this gadget, you have a direct official stream and not a clone of your streaming service.
4. 4k/5k streams
With the speed it offers, viewing your visual content in 4k resolution wouldn’t be an issue. In actuality, this particular router is configured to stream the not-so-popular 5k resolution, which is slightly higher than 4k visual content.
On this device, you can see bandwidth speed reaching 867Mbps+300 Mbps, which is miles ahead of so many VPN services; with such insurmountable speed, 4k and 5k contents are a piece of cake for StreamLocator.
5. Stream on multi countries
Most of these streaming services offer content secluded to different countries; this shouldn’t limit you from enjoying your stream time.
With StreamLocator, you can access any streaming platform from any country of your choice, all in the comfort of your room.
Let’s say you have a show for Netflix in Canada and another show for the BBC iPlayer in the UK, from the StreamLocator settings page; you can configure it to route your traffic to these two streaming platforms through the designated countries simultaneously.
That is to say, with StreamLocator active, it would appear to Netflix Canada that you are watching from Canada, and it would appear to BBC iPlayer that you are watching from the UK.
I can’t think of an alternative as excellent as this.
Note, that this is only possible for services that offer contents peculiar to different locations on the same user account. Amazon Prime doesn’t support country switching on the same Prime account.
StreamLocator also doesn’t work with concurrent streaming on NowTV and Roku US except when you are using the Roku UK version.
Also, this feature would auto-select the best location or only location available when the streaming platform only offers a limited or single choice.
How does StreamLocator work?
It is pretty straightforward. You place an order for the StreamLocator hub, connect it to your ISP router, connect your device to the StreamLocator network and start accessing geo-blocked platforms.
The more critical way it works is, StreamLocator uses Smart DNS and VPN hardware all combined and pre-installed on the hub.
Since it comes equipped with open-source firmware (OpenWRT), you wouldn’t take much time to set up the VPN.
With both the Smart DNS and VPN configuration, StreamLocator masks your location from the streaming platform making your streaming device appear at the designated area.
As opposed to popular belief, StreamLocator doesn’t hide your IP address, at least not like a VPN, so your ISP can still see your IP; this doesn’t stop you from enjoying your visual content.
Build and Design
As part of our StreamLocator hub review, we would break down its build and design. There’s not too much difference in looks between the StreamLocator and your typical router.
It wouldn’t take you long to identify that it is a router.
When you include its antenna, you’ll be looking at a device that is about 20cm high, 24cm long, and 26cm wide.
It weighs around 330 grams making it a lightweight device. Its manufacturers took ventilation into account by giving the device enough air outlets.
It is made of plastic and has a perforated base which still aids the free flow of air; since they are no holes on top, we are sure of not having dust in the hub, which may often lead to overheating and speed loss.
The device has two holes at its base, which gives it room to be mounted on the wall with ease. You can quickly find its connectivity ports at the rear alongside a WPS button and a reset pinhole.
Powering the router is capable with just 12V/2A making it typical like so many other routers.
Still, when you consider that it has five Gigabit Ethernet ports and a dedicated WAN port, you realize it is the epitome of awesomeness. Note you can’t use StreamLocator as a standalone router.
Its 5Ghz hub comes with some enhancement; with a 200Mbps connection, you can reach a speed of 160Mbps although it could clock higher, people have reported it going over 800Mbps.
With 802.11 ac support, the WiFi range receives a phenomenal range.
It is a dual-band router that runs on a Mediatek MT7621A chipset.
StreamLocator Plans/Pricing
Our StreamLocator review is incomplete without its plans and pricing. To reap the full benefits of this device, you need to acquire two elements, the Subscription and the StreamLocator hub, which is shipped to your preferred location for free.
It costs just $99.95 (as of May 4, 2023), which is somewhat of a downpayment for the first 12 months. After these days elapse, you are obligated to pay $5.83 per month with room to cancel your subscription.
Streamlocator Return Policy
Suppose after purchase you feel the need to return it. In that case, the company behind StreamLocator offers 30 days full money-back guarantee provided you return the device within the stipulated (30 days from purchase) days.
How to set up StreamLocator?
So, you’ve decided to purchase this beauty; these are the steps needed to start enjoying it.
In actuality, there are just two, namely Connecting the StreamLocator hub to your already in-use ISP router and then setting up a StreamLocator account.
Step 1: First, power up the device. The hub pack comes packed with a short Cat5e Ethernet cable which would be connected to the back of the ISP router.
Step 2: Visit start.StreamLocator.com, then select I have connected my router.
Step 3: Check to be sure the LED lights are on; it typically stays on or periodically blinks.
If the lights are active, select The lights on my (StreamLocator) router is on or blinking.
Step 3: The next page now demands you in the last four Mac address characters, which can be found under your hub.
Step 4: Register your account. You’ll need to input a valid email address.
Step 5: It then takes you to the Relocation Country page, where you can manually configure your different streaming platforms’ location.
The second part of the setup process involves you connecting your streaming device with StreamLocator.
So, you’ll unlink from your ISP router and connect through StreamLocator. This applies to all devices compatible with StreamLocator you possess.
Services That Can Work on StreamLocator
Below are a collection of services StreamLocator is compatible with classified by countries. They claim it is compatible with about 60 services.
- United States: Netflix, Dazn, Discovery +, Disney +, Roku Channel, Prime Video, Acorn TV, AT&T TV Now, CBS Sports, Crackle, Epix Now, ESPN +, FilmRise, HBO Max, FuboTV, FXNOW, Hulu, IMDb TV, NBC, NBC Sports, PBS, Paramount +, Peacock, Philo, Plex TV, Pluto TV, Showtime Anytime, Showtime, Shudder, Sling TV, STARZ, TBS, The CW, TNT, Tubi, Crunchyroll, USA Network, VRV, Vudu, Xumo, Pandora, Adult Swim.
- United Kingdom: Netflix, Discovery +, Disney +, Roku Channel, Prime Video, Acorn TV, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, Showmax, UKTV Play, TVPlayer, All 4.
- Canada: Netflix, DAZN, Disney +, NHL Live, Sportsnet NOW, TSN.
- Germany: Netflix, DAZN, Zattoo.
- Italy: Discovery +.
- Brazil: Netflix.
- South Africa: DStv Now.
- France: Netflix
- South Korea: Netflix
- Switzerland: Zattoo
List of Devices That Are Compatible With StreamLocator
Unlike VPN, which is pretty limited, Smart DNS gives an edge by allowing users to stream the contents across vast options of devices. You can connect an unlimited number of devices to this hub.
- Computers: Windows 7/8/10 and macOS are compatible.
- Game Consoles: Both PlayStation 4 and 5 alongside Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch would work well with StreamLocator.
- Media Players: Media players like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and so many other Android boxes are equipped to work with StreamLocator.
- Phones and Tablets: iOS devices, both mobiles and tablets alongside Android OS counterparts are compatible with StreamLocator.
- Router: There’s seldom any router that isn’t compatible with the StreamLocator.
Go ahead and purchase the device and enjoy all its excellent features.
What Are Other StreamLocator Alternatives?
I look forward to finding one that matches precisely what StreamLocator does; however, other services or devices give a similar result but lack one thing or the other. You might find a service limited by several streaming services it can unblock, or a limited number of countries it can tunnel you through, or maybe challenging to set up.
However, a few alternatives include.
- IPVanish
- SurfShark, which costs around $61 for 2years+ It offers Smart DNS but only for US regions.
- There’s NordVPN which costs around $94.16 per month.
- Smartdnsproxy.com priced at $48.14 per year
How Do I Contact StreamLocator Support?
You can contact the StreamLocator support hub here. There you can find already-asked questions and solutions alongside support documentation. At the lower right-hand corner is a chart feature that should instantaneously link you with a customer care representative.
Wrapping It Up
We’ve come to the end of this StreamLocator review, and this is what we deduced. StreamLocator is the best device for accessing geo-locked visual content on famous streaming services.
Although you can access these services with a Smart DNS, the setup process may come off too technical; here, StreamLocator comes in.
StreamLocator is a breath of fresh air, taking the baton from where VPNs are left bypassing the radar streaming platforms like Netflix have set up to block VPN users.
It is a great device to have at a pretty affordable price. Should you buy it? If you are someone who constantly looking for content to watch that is geo-blocked, then streamlocator is definitely for you.
