As many of you who have been in my classes, or are my clients, know, I am not a fan of the accuracy and meaning of speed tests. Perhaps I am being a little technical here. Over the next several posts, I want to provide some detailed information on Speed Tests.
I thought the best place to start would be to provide an unbiased list of Speed Test Tools. Each of these tools can measure download speed, upload speed, latency (ping), and in some cases, jitter and packet loss. Here are some of the speed test tools commonly used:
1. Ookla Speedtest
- Website: speedtest.net
- Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome Extension, CLI
- Key Features:
- One of the most popular and widely used speed test tools.
- Offers tests for download speed, upload speed, ping, and server locations around the world.
- Ookla Speedtest allows users to select the server they want to test against, which is useful for comparing different server locations.
- It also offers a detailed breakdown of historical data if you create an account.
- Best for: General use, testing on multiple platforms, and viewing detailed historical data.
2. Google Speed Test (via Google Search)
- Website: Search for “speed test” in Google, and it will provide a built-in tool.
- Platforms: Web
- Key Features:
- Very simple and quick to use; you can run a speed test directly from Google search results.
- Powered by Measurement Lab (M-Lab), which provides highly accurate results.
- It tests download speed, upload speed, and latency.
- No ads or unnecessary clutter; just a quick, easy-to-run test.
- Best for: Quick, no-frills speed testing with no need to download or sign up.
3. Fast.com (by Netflix)
- Website: fast.com
- Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
- Key Features:
- Built by Netflix, this tool specifically focuses on download speed, which is especially important for video streaming.
- It has a very minimalist interface, making it fast and easy to use.
- Offers additional information on upload speed, latency, and even loaded vs unloaded latency (for those curious about performance under heavy load).
- No ads and extremely lightweight.
- Best for: Streaming-focused users, minimalistic speed testing with emphasis on download speed.
4. nPerf
- Website: nperf.com
- Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows
- Key Features:
- Provides a comprehensive internet speed test that includes download speed, upload speed, latency, and even a quality of service (QoS) evaluation for tasks like browsing and streaming.
- Offers detailed test results and allows users to compare their speed test data against others in the same region.
- Also provides coverage maps for cellular networks and fiber availability.
- Best for: Detailed results and users interested in mobile data performance or internet quality benchmarking.
5. TestMy.net
- Website: testmy.net
- Platforms: Web
- Key Features:
- Offers more granular control over your speed tests, including the ability to test upload and download speeds separately.
- Doesn’t use Flash or Java, making it compatible with any modern browser.
- Provides detailed information about bandwidth efficiency and consistency.
- Tests your connection over a longer period of time to avoid short-term variations or anomalies that may skew results.
- Best for: Power users who want more control over the speed test process and detailed, in-depth results.
6. SpeedOf.Me
- Website: speedof.me
- Platforms: Web
- Key Features:
- A lightweight speed test tool that runs on HTML5 (no Flash or Java needed).
- It shows real-time graphs of your internet connection performance, which can help visualize speed fluctuations over the course of the test.
- Provides download, upload, latency, and consistency metrics.
- Mobile-friendly, making it easy to use on smartphones and tablets without an app.
- Best for: Real-time visualization of your internet performance and mobile-friendly testing.
7. Measurement Lab (M-Lab)
- Website: measurementlab.net
- Platforms: Web
- Key Features:
- A research-driven platform, often regarded as highly transparent in terms of its methodology for testing.
- M-Lab powers Google’s built-in speed test and several other tools, and it’s favored for its neutrality and accuracy.
- M-Lab stores test data publicly, allowing for greater research insights and transparency.
- Measures download speed, upload speed, and latency.
- Best for: Transparency and research-grade accuracy, with open-source methodologies.
8. OpenSpeedTest
- Website: openspeedtest.com
- Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
- Key Features:
- A straightforward, browser-based test with no plugins or downloads needed.
- It’s easy to use with a clean interface and provides download, upload, and ping results.
- Offers integration for network administrators who may want to embed the tool on their own websites.
- Best for: Simple and easy-to-use speed testing with no third-party plugins required.
9. Xfinity Speed Test (by Comcast)
- Website: speedtest.xfinity.com
- Platforms: Web
- Key Features:
- An ad-free tool provided by Comcast, which can be used by anyone regardless of their ISP.
- Provides a basic test of download speed, upload speed, and latency.
- It is very simple to use, with no need to log in or provide personal information.
- Best for: Xfinity/Comcast users, or those who want a simple, ad-free speed test experience.
10. Meteor by OpenSignal
- Website: opensignal.com/apps/meteor
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Key Features:
- A mobile-focused speed test app that not only tests download and upload speeds but also gives detailed information on how these speeds will impact app performance (e.g., Netflix, Spotify, YouTube).
- Measures latency and provides an overall score for app performance based on your speed.
- Offers a map of network performance in different locations, useful for travelers or mobile users.
- Best for: Mobile users who want app performance insights and on-the-go testing.
Conclusion and Future Posts
The best speed test tool for you depends on your needs:
- Ookla Speedtest is the most popular and versatile, offering speed tests across various platforms.
- Fast.com is great for users primarily interested in streaming performance.
- TestMy.net and nPerf provide more advanced and customizable testing features.
- Google Speed Test is fast, simple, and doesn’t require navigating to a special site.
For mobile testing, Meteor by OpenSignal is an excellent choice, as it also evaluates how your speeds will affect app performance. Each of these tools provides reliable insights into your internet connection’s speed and performance, helping you better understand your network’s capabilities.
For now I will stop here.
In the forthcoming articles I will discuss a few networking fundamentals regarding testing speed, then I will come back to this list and we will test the speed tests! Our first article following up on this list can be viewed here – what did testing results look like?
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