If you have a premium high-speed subscription, slow internet can test your patience. How do you tell if you’re getting the speed you pay for?
Two Free Apps Let You Test Your Internet Speeds
Fast and easy to use, two free apps let you test your internet speeds to be sure you’re receiving what you paid for!
Ookla’s Speedtest
A trusted name in internet speed assessment, Ookla’s Speedtest has over 11 million daily tests and 50 billion total since 2006. Its 16,000+ servers worldwide provide precise local results that match your internet connection.
Speedtest measures your ping (latency), download speeds, and upload speeds after you click the huge “Go” button, offering detailed internet performance data.
Speedtest’s Result History and Visualizations
Speedtest’s result history log and attractive charts let you track your internet connection’s performance over time.
Speedtest Apps
Speedtest provides apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Apple TV, and Chrome. You can test your speeds anywhere, anytime, at home or in transit.
Speedtest VPN (Optional)
Speedtest VPN is only available for iOS and Android devices, in addition to speed testing. Your 2GB monthly data allowance is free for secure, private browsing. For greater bandwidth, pay $4.99/month for their premium unlimited, ad-free tier.
Fast.com by Netflix
Internet speed test tool Fast.com is easy to use and powered by Netflix. It only shows download speed, which is essential for streaming, unlike other speed test websites.
Fast.com’s Clean Interface
No advertising clutter Fast.com’s UI. When you open the site on your smartphone, laptop, or smart TV, your internet speed test begins instantly. It defaults to download speed, however pressing Show more info shows latency and upload speed.
FAST Speed Test App
FAST Speed Test is an iOS and Android app that tests mobile internet connections on the move.
Interpreting Internet Speed Test Results
An internet speed test shows your connection’s current performance. The test results provide key information about your internet connection’s quality and capabilities.
Understanding Speed Test Metrics
Meaning of those statistics and metrics:
- Download Speed: Measures internet-to-device data speed. One of the main reasons to increase internet speeds is faster downloads, which speed up website surfing, video streaming, and file downloading.
- Upload Speed: The opposite of download speed, upload speed shows how fast your device can deliver data online. Higher uploads improve photo/video sharing, video calls, etc.
- Latency (Ping): Internet connection responsiveness. The round-trip time for data from your device to the server and back. Online gaming and video calls benefit from lower latency.
- Jitter: Measures latency variation. VoIP calls and online games require a reliable, low-jitter connection.
- Packet Loss: The percentage of sent data packets missing. Extreme packet loss can cause stuttering visuals, choppy audio, and failed connections.
Understand these parameters to determine if your internet can support your online activities or if you need to terminate your ISP.
