10 Free Tools to Test Your Internet Speed
Because I want the fastest internet connection possible, I recently changed internet providers. And because I’m a cautious type of person, the first thing I did after switching was to put my new internet connection to the test.
There are tons of tools out there, free tools mind you, that you can use to test your internet connection. There are tools that you can install on your Windows PC, tools that you can run on your Android or iPhone, and my favorite, tools that run directly in the browser.
Free Tools that You Have to Install on Your PC
1. JD's Auto Speed Tester
Using this free tool is as simple as clicking on the green Run Test button from the upper left hand corner. Once you do so, JD's Auto Speed Tester will run a test that covers the following: download speed, upload speed, packet loss, and jitter. Once the test is done, the results will be displayed as a bar on the application’s interface. Go to the Graph Display Options menu to chance the way the results are displayed.
You can also run quick tests: download, upload, or ping tests. The results of these tests will not be recorded.
Download JD's Auto Speed Tester for Windows.
Learn more about it.
2. Speed Test Logger
This open source application for Windows connects to a custom download URL to test your download speed. It can check the internet speed every 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and every hour. Once you start a test, it will keep going for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours.
Please note that Speed Test Logger will not work unless you set a custom download URL. The developer cannot afford to host test files on their server, so you have to go to the Settings menu and enter a custom download URL.
Download Speed Test Logger for Windows.
Learn more about it.
Free Tools that You Can Use on Your Mobile
There was a time when browsing the web on a mobile device was an incredibly frustrating experience. But times have changed and people do most of their browsing from a mobile device, not a desktop computer. Fun fact: on November 1, StatCounter announced that internet usage by mobile and tablet devices exceeded desktop for the first time worldwide.
That being said, here are a few mobile apps that you can use to test your internet connection.
3. Speedtest.net by Ookla
Once you click on Begin Test, the app will connect to a nearby server and it will test your internet connection’s download and upload speed. The results are logged so you can access them anytime you want. And if you want to brag about your download/upload speeds, you can share results via mail, text, social networking, and so on.
Speedtest.net is available for Android, iOS, and other mobile platforms.
4. Simple Speed Test by SpeedSpot.org
Tap the Test button and this app will run three tests: ping, download, and upload. Once it’s done, it will display the results on its interface – but not before displaying an ad and asking you to switch to the ad-free version. Don’t think that the abovementioned Speedtest.net by Ookla will spare you the annoyance, because it features ads too.
Simple Speed Test is available for Android only.
Alongside Simple Speed Test, the developer offers another app called SpeedSpot, which is available for Android and iOS.
5. Fast Speed Test
Fast Speed Test, a mobile app created by streaming giant Netflix, will not test your upload speed. Its purpose is to test your download speed and just your download speed. Install the app, launch it, and it will immediately go to work. You don’t have to tap on anything, the app will automatically test your download speed once you launch it.
Fast Speed Test is available for Android and iOS.
Free tools that work in your browser
Who says you have to install an app to put your internet connection to the test? There are plenty of online services that do that right within your browser. Such as...
6. CNET’s Internet Speed Test
The appropriately named Internet Speed Test is CNET's online bandwidth meter that you can use to test your internet connection’s speed.
Works only on desktop.
7. AT&T's Internet Speed Test
AT&T’s Internet Speed Test measures the download speed, upload speed, and latency.
Works on desktop and mobile
8. Fast.com
Fast.com belongs to Netflix. It’s a simple-to-use and ad-free website that does just one thing: tests your download speed.
Works with desktop and mobile browsers
9. Speedtest.net by Ookla
Ookla’s Speedtest.net is also available as a webpage. Visit it, click on Begin Test, and see how fast your internet is.
Works only on desktop.
10. Google Search
Google "internet speed test" and the Quick Answer box presented above will show up. Click on Run Speed Test and your internet connection will be put to the test.
Works only on desktop.
Honorable mention – Verizon Speed Test
Verizon’s Speed Test online tool will test your internet connection’s upload and download speed. But only if you have an US IP. It won’t work otherwise.
There are tons of tools out there, free tools mind you, that you can use to test your internet connection. There are tools that you can install on your Windows PC, tools that you can run on your Android or iPhone, and my favorite, tools that run directly in the browser.
Free Tools that You Have to Install on Your PC
1. JD's Auto Speed Tester
Using this free tool is as simple as clicking on the green Run Test button from the upper left hand corner. Once you do so, JD's Auto Speed Tester will run a test that covers the following: download speed, upload speed, packet loss, and jitter. Once the test is done, the results will be displayed as a bar on the application’s interface. Go to the Graph Display Options menu to chance the way the results are displayed.
You can also run quick tests: download, upload, or ping tests. The results of these tests will not be recorded.
Download JD's Auto Speed Tester for Windows.
Learn more about it.
2. Speed Test Logger
This open source application for Windows connects to a custom download URL to test your download speed. It can check the internet speed every 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and every hour. Once you start a test, it will keep going for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours.
Please note that Speed Test Logger will not work unless you set a custom download URL. The developer cannot afford to host test files on their server, so you have to go to the Settings menu and enter a custom download URL.
Download Speed Test Logger for Windows.
Learn more about it.
Free Tools that You Can Use on Your Mobile
There was a time when browsing the web on a mobile device was an incredibly frustrating experience. But times have changed and people do most of their browsing from a mobile device, not a desktop computer. Fun fact: on November 1, StatCounter announced that internet usage by mobile and tablet devices exceeded desktop for the first time worldwide.
That being said, here are a few mobile apps that you can use to test your internet connection.
3. Speedtest.net by Ookla
Once you click on Begin Test, the app will connect to a nearby server and it will test your internet connection’s download and upload speed. The results are logged so you can access them anytime you want. And if you want to brag about your download/upload speeds, you can share results via mail, text, social networking, and so on.
Speedtest.net is available for Android, iOS, and other mobile platforms.
4. Simple Speed Test by SpeedSpot.org
Tap the Test button and this app will run three tests: ping, download, and upload. Once it’s done, it will display the results on its interface – but not before displaying an ad and asking you to switch to the ad-free version. Don’t think that the abovementioned Speedtest.net by Ookla will spare you the annoyance, because it features ads too.
Simple Speed Test is available for Android only.
Alongside Simple Speed Test, the developer offers another app called SpeedSpot, which is available for Android and iOS.
5. Fast Speed Test
Fast Speed Test, a mobile app created by streaming giant Netflix, will not test your upload speed. Its purpose is to test your download speed and just your download speed. Install the app, launch it, and it will immediately go to work. You don’t have to tap on anything, the app will automatically test your download speed once you launch it.
Fast Speed Test is available for Android and iOS.
Free tools that work in your browser
Who says you have to install an app to put your internet connection to the test? There are plenty of online services that do that right within your browser. Such as...
6. CNET’s Internet Speed Test
The appropriately named Internet Speed Test is CNET's online bandwidth meter that you can use to test your internet connection’s speed.
Works only on desktop.
7. AT&T's Internet Speed Test
AT&T’s Internet Speed Test measures the download speed, upload speed, and latency.
Works on desktop and mobile
8. Fast.com
Fast.com belongs to Netflix. It’s a simple-to-use and ad-free website that does just one thing: tests your download speed.
Works with desktop and mobile browsers
9. Speedtest.net by Ookla
Ookla’s Speedtest.net is also available as a webpage. Visit it, click on Begin Test, and see how fast your internet is.
Works only on desktop.
10. Google Search
Google "internet speed test" and the Quick Answer box presented above will show up. Click on Run Speed Test and your internet connection will be put to the test.
Works only on desktop.
Honorable mention – Verizon Speed Test
Verizon’s Speed Test online tool will test your internet connection’s upload and download speed. But only if you have an US IP. It won’t work otherwise.
