Internet service providers like to make a lot of claims about upload and download speeds when you sign up, but do you ever wonder how those numbers compare to the speeds you’re actually getting once the connection is set up? A few days ago, we showed you how to test your Internet speed using Speedtest.net, which is pretty popular and widely known. But then we got to thinking, what other services out there allow you to test your Internet connection speeds?
These alternative browser-based speed tests will help you determine your upload and download speeds, as well as identify other issues with your network such as packet loss, latency issues, or physical connection problems. There are a number of factors involved in deciding which speed test results you should take seriously, and which might be hokum. These tests specifically performed better than a lot of others, offering multiple test server locations, more detailed connection information and comparison tools, and better-designed user interface than some of the more basic tests.
ISP-Independent Speed Tests
Speedof.me
Speedof.me is an HTML5-based speed test that’s lightweight and designed to replicate real-world browsing and downloading conditions by requesting a series of files in increasing size and recording the speed at which they’re downloaded. Not only does the site display a graph of speeds achieved in real-time, but also allows you to track your results against previous tests. Rather than selecting a location, the website calculates the quickest and most reliable server from 38 available servers, 16 of which are in North America, and all files are downloaded and uploaded in sequence–rather than simultaneously–to imitate real internet browsing conditions.
Speedtest.net
Ookla’s bandwidth diagnostic software shows up on a number of the other speed test sites listed here, but the most full-featured iteration of the test is on Speedtest.net, which is owned by Ookla. With access to over 2,500 different test servers, physical location is less likely to distort the results, and it will quickly return upload and download speed, latency, and packet loss. You can fill out a survey after the test, answering questions about the claimed speed of your ISP and monthly connection costs, which allows Ookla to amass an impressive database of consumer connection information, which can be viewed and broken down by region on their NetIndex site, allowing you to compare your speeds to others around you, or who share your service provider. The site uses a flash-based applet, but it’s lightweight and didn’t seem to have a noticeable impact on testing speeds.
MySpeed Visualware
VisualWare’s Myspeed internet test isn’t the definition of user-friendly, but it is a powerful, fast, and detailed tool for more than just measuring how fast you can download that new video game or stream a movie. The test provides a wide range of data not included in other tests listed here, including network consistency percentages, latency, jitter, round trip time, TCP settings, and even a margin of error for its own timing so you know if data didn’t quite get recorded correctly. Myspeed’s site also allows you to check for network performance based on different tasks, like using VOIP and video services, or to check for firewall settings and potential issues. There isn’t a lot of information here, so VisualWare’s Myspeed is recommended for more advanced users.
Ping Test
While Ping Test isn’t the most full-featured Internet speed test, it is one of the most appealing from an aesthetics standpoint. Its colorful speedometers and flashy backdrop are flash-based, which may change the nature of the results though. Ping Test returns upload and download speeds after averaging out times from a handful of nearby servers that are automatically chosen. After you get your results, charts will show how your speeds compare to the average speeds of other types of connections, as well as estimated times for uploading and downloading files of various sizes. Ping-test also displays latency, but the number was much higher than the values we got using other tests, which may have to do with the way their server selection works (some tests that attempted to identify my location by IP were unable to do so correctly). If you’re in Europe or Asia, Ping Test offers a localized version, which may be just the trick for those outside North America.
ISP-Hosted Speed Tests
SpeakEasy SpeedTest
One of the better sites to use Ookla’s software, SpeakEasy SpeedTest allows you to choose from eight different locations to measure upload and download speeds. They also offer an advanced option, which will show you latency, packet loss, and jitter. Comparison options are limited to your results and the speeds Megapath claims you’ll experience under their services, but the explanations of different network terms and ease of use make this a useful speed test for getting acquainted with common network problems.
Comcast
Xfinity has a speed test available on Comcast.net with your choice of 26 servers across the United States, and provides details on average and peak upload and download speed, as well as latency. The interface may feel familiar, because it’s also run by Ookla’s software, and uses a very similar interface to Speakeasy’s speed test. There are no comparison tools available after you’ve taken the test, but there are a few options provided by Comcast to improve your performance regardless of your ISP.
Read more: digitaltrends
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