Oftentimes, you can run such tests straight through your router via the router's accompanying app. Testing over an Ethernet connection will give you a better look at actual speeds you're getting from your provider.

Test using both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections.

That's not surprising, but it might make a slight impact on your results, depending on the strength of your connection at the time of the test. You can even run the Ookla speed test on an Apple TV.Īll of that said, Ookla does display banner ads while you run basic speed tests. In addition to the website and the smartphone apps, Ookla also has apps you can run on Windows or on Mac.

The service released a video-specific speed test that measures your network's ability to handle 4K video streams, and it recently added a free VPN to its mobile app. Ookla's done a good job of keeping up with the times by adding new features and capabilities over the years. Incidentally, Ookla's speed test is also the one we use when we're testing Wi-Fi routers. Popularity aside, we like Ookla for having everything a basic user needs from a speed test: accuracy, the ability to view your speed test history (when you create an account), a wide array of servers to connect to, and even a handy app for speed testing from your Android or iOS device. Roots may be growing into the cable buried in your yard.One of our favorites is the Ookla speed test, which has a strong reputation for consistency and for being one of the first speed tests on the web. Speed may be slow because you’re using the internet at peak times, or your router may be outdated. You may even see disclaimers like “wireless speeds may vary” because Wi-Fi speeds are always inconsistent no matter what provider you choose-it’s just how Wi-Fi works.įor example, there may be issues with the provider’s service area, like faulty connections somewhere within the neighborhood. Internet providers will state “up to” when advertising maximum speeds because many variables can prevent you from hitting that top speed. What you see on the speed test is simply where your internet speeds are currently. Most of the time, your internet speeds will fluctuate within a small range of that max speed.

The speeds promised by your internet plan are the max speeds you can expect. You likely won’t ever see the maximum speed advertised by your provider in the speed test, but your speed test results should come close. Why doesn’t my internet speed match my plan?

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