The Bottom Line
When it comes to Internet speed test sites, Speedtest.net tops them all without question. Speedtest.net combines a very long list of remote test servers, an easy to use and fun interface, and powerful statistic tools - all making it the best of the best when it's time to test your bandwidth.
Before you waste your time searching among the mountain of sites designed to test the speed of your Internet connection, give Speedtest.net a try. You won't be sorry!
- Huge number of test locations which improves accuracy of results
- Nearest test location is automatically calculated based on IP address
- One of the most graphically appealing interfaces among speed test sites
- Test results are easily shareable thanks to automatic graphic creation
- Personal test statistics are saved and comparable to statistics from around the world
- Heavy graphics more of a nuisance than an advantage for dial-up users
- Test locations concentrated mainly in North America and Europe
Description
Speedtest.net can test the bandwidth between your PC and any of a huge number of test servers from around the globe.
The speedometer-like display at Speedtest.net shows your bandwidth during the test in a format familiar to almost everyone.
Speedtest.net automatically calculates the nearest testing server to your location helping you begin your test faster.
Test results at Speedtest.net are saved to allow you to compare results over time, helping to spot slowdowns and upgrades.
Saved results also allow comparisons to others based on ISP, state, Earth and more.
Global Stats feature shows test statistics from all over the world.
Each test at Speedtest.net generates a graphic displaying your personal results that you can email or share online.
Speedtest.net tests both upload and download bandwidth along with latency, providing a complete picture of your connection.
Guide Review - Speedtest.net
If you had to choose a single bandwidth testing site among the huge number available, I would certainly recommend Speedtest.net be that site. Speedtest.net is operated by Ookla, a provider of bandwidth testing technology to a number of other Internet speed test sites.
Speedtest.net is a very well designed and functional site with a speedometer display and other dials and read-outs showing important information about your Internet connection. A map of the Earth highlighting the nearly 100 remote testing servers makes it easy to decide on and change test locations based on geography.
Besides the attractive design and huge number of testing sites, Speedtest.net sets itself apart from most other Internet speed test sites by its ability to save the results of your tests over time and to compare those tests with others around your neighborhood or around the world. Every time you visit Speedtest.net, you can see the results of your previous bandwidth tests. This is great for tracking the speed of your Internet connection to either show your ISP that your connection has slowed down or to prove to you that an advertised upgrade to your bandwidth has actually occurred.
Another unique feature is the custom Speedtest.net graphic that's generated each time you do a bandwidth test. This graphic (one of mine is shown here on this page) can be emailed to a friend to brag about a fast new connection, shared online to compare results with others, or perhaps you might want to forward it to your ISP along with a complaint letter!
All in all, there's very little not to like about with Speedtest.net. It's intuitive, fast, easy on the eyes and has been very accurate in my tests when compared to what my ISP says my available bandwidth should be. Skip the other tests you see online and get the right answer first - use Speedtest.net!
