Even though most ISPs offer a speed test, there are ways to do that yourself. It is best to use third-party tools to test your internet speed.
Some of the essentials before running an internet speed test are:
- Turning off any uploads or downloads running on your system.
- Reboot your system
- A VPN software puts a burden on the connection. Log out of your VPN software.
- Plug your laptop, or PC directly into the router for accuracy.
- Avoid peak usage hours like evening or late night.
- Run the test more than once at different times of the day.
Here are some of the ways you can test your internet speed:
Fast.com
Netflix is committed to ensuring that viewers enjoy sound internet. For that, it has a speed test that you can run on fast.com. Simply head over to it, and it automatically initiates an immediate speed test download. You can click for more tests like latency and upload and share them on Facebook or Twitter. There is an app for the same for iOS and Android.
Ookla Speedtest
Ookla Speedtest measures the time of data transfer between a remote server and computer using a local ISP connection. Based on your location, the test will pair you to a local Speedtest server. Just click on the Go button. It will take less than a minute for the process to complete. Run the test a couple of times and click on the Go button again and again. This way, you would see the fluctuations in data speed from one test to another according to network traffic.
You can make the most out of Speedtest.net by creating an account. This way you can change settings and customize them according to you, so it’s saved for every time you visit. You can see your connection’s entire history to see the changes.
TestMy.net
The results from TestMy.net are always determined by completing tests from start to finish. Its broadband tests do not depend on particular ISPs. TestMy.net is browser-based and utilizes HTML5. This way, the same tests work on both desktops as well as mobile browsers. There are no separate apps for Android or iOS. However, you need to steer clear of the tons of Start buttons that are meant to trick you into clicking on an ad. The site itself does not have ads, but ad traps. You can even sign up for an account to get results in an email.
Speedof. Me
This speed test can be run on both desktop and mobile. If you run multiple tests you will be able to see history at the bottom of the page to get an instant look graph.
Search Engines
Go to either Bing or Google. Search the term speed test, and you will get many results in the search results. The speed test by Bing looks like a speedometer. However, there is no way of knowing who or what powers it. There are no options to change them. You get quick results.
If you want to check your internet speed, you can check it through any of the checkers mentioned above and know what you are paying for.
