The ultimate speed test test FAQ

The most complete FAQ regarding speed tests

Which speed test is best?

Which speed test is best depends on what you want.

If you want to know if your internet is working fine Internet Speed at a Glance gives you the quickest insight.

If there are no specific requirements, overall the best speed test is Google Fiber.

If you are having trouble with the download speed provided by your ISP, you should use the speed test recommended by your ISP to identify these issues.

Climate friendly speed tests
 

Quick links to other questions

Which speed test is best?

Speed tests

  1. What is an internet speed test?
  2. What makes a good speed test site?
  3. How to perform a speed test?
  4. Does speedtest consume data?
  5. How do I test my true internet speed?
  6. Which speed test is most accurate?
  7. What is the fastest speed test?
  8. What is most privacy friendly speed test?
  9. What is most accessible speed test?
  10. What are the best internet speed tests?
  11. Can I trust the speed test of my ISP?
  12. What speed tests are available?
  13. Is Google Fiber speed test accurate?
  14. Is Ookla Speedtest accurate?
  15. Is Ookla Speedtest reliable?
  16. Is Ookla Speedtest privacy-friendly?
  17. Which speed tests are similar to Ookla Speedtest?
  18. Is there a better speed test than Ookla?

Factors affecting your internet speed

  1. Which factors have the greatest influence on your internet speed?
  2. Does the test server used affect my internet speed?
  3. Does the browser you use affect your internet speed?
  4. Does the operating system you use affect your internet speed?
  5. Do other running programs affect your internet speed?
  6. Does the Domain Name System (DNS) server you use affect your internet speed?
  7. Does using video streaming affect your internet speed?
  8. Does using TOR affect your internet speed?
  9. Does downloading files affect your internet speed?
  10. How does VPN use affect your internet speed?
  11. Does the hardware used affect my internet speed?
  12. How does malware affect my internet speed?
  13. Does the location of the Wi-Fi router matter?
  14. Does time of day affect Internet speed?
  15. How do other devices and users affect my internet speed?

Required speed

  1. How much internet speed is required?
  2. Which download speed is required for video streaming?
  3. Which download speed is required for gaming?
  4. Which internet speed is required for online meetings?

Speed tests

What is an internet speed test?

 

An internet speed test is a tool (website, app, program) that measures the maximum amount of data you can receive per second. This "downloadspeed" is expressed in megabits per second (Mbps).

Note that in most cases the bandwidth provided by the ISP is not measurable because the home network is the weakest link.

What makes a speed test excellent?

What makes a good speed test site?

 

A good speed test site is
1. Accurate and consistent
2. Free to use
3. Easy to use
4. Privacy friendly
5. Informative
6. Fast

With these requirements in mind, Google Fiber is the best speed test out there.

What makes a speed test excellent?

How to perform a speed test?

 

Assuming you want to know if your internet is working fine first check Internet Speed at a Glance. If you want to know your internet speed in detail, it is best to use Google Fiber or M-Lab.

Before you start measuring, check whether the home network you are using can handle the bandwidth to be measured. In general it's best to test with a wired network to rule out Wi-Fi issues. Because large downloads have a huge impact on the speed measured, it is recommended to test on an updated system as a sole user.

Note that all modern speed tests need JavaScript.

Speed determining factorsWhat makes a speed test excellent?Does a speed test need JavaScript?The most accurate speed test

Does Speedtest consume data?

 

Yes, Ookla's Speedtest does -like all other speed tests- consume data. In general the amount of data consumed depends on two factors:

1. The internet speed you measure
2. The speed test you use

Ookla's Speedtest consumes a lot of data, it is one of the least data efficient speed tests.

How much data does a speed test use?

How do I test my true internet speed?

 

Use the max value of SpeedOf.me to test your true internet speed. Note that your true internet speed is circa 12% higher than the advertised internet speed.

Before you start measuring, check whether the home network you are using can handle the bandwidth to be measured. In general it's best to test with a wired network to rule out Wi-Fi issues. Because large downloads have a huge impact on the speed measured, it is recommended to test on an updated system as a sole user.

Note that above the 100 Mbps even SpeedOf.me doesn't measure your true internet speed.

The most accurate speed testThe ultimate speed test test 2021Speed determining factors

Which speed test is most accurate?

 

Which speed test is most accurate depends on the speed you measure (or expect to measure). M-Lab is the only speed test that appears in the top 3 of most accurate speed tests for every speed tested.

The most accurate speed testThe updated ultimate speed test test 2020Speed determining factors

What is the fastest speed test?

 

Internet Speed at a Glance is the fastest speed test there is. That makes Internet Speed at a Glance also the speed test with the smallest carbon footprint.

The updated ultimate speed test test 2020Climate friendly speed tests

What is most privacy-friendly speed test?

 

Cloudflare and Internet Speed at a Glance are the most privacy-friendly speed tests.

Privacy-friendly speed tests

What is most accessible speed test?

 

Internet Speed at a Glance is by far the most accessible speed test there is.

This speed test comes out on top with accessibility tests such as Achecker, Tingtun and WAVE. Manual testing confirms that Internet Speed at a Glance is by far the most accessible speed test.

The most accessible speed test

What are the best internet speed tests?

 

The best internet speed tests are:
(1) Google Fiber
(2) Measurement Lab
(3) Internet Speed at a Glance
(4) Your ISP's speed test
(5) Fast

The 5 best internet speed tests

Note that this list is very different from the curated top 5 based on different speed test comparisons.

Can I trust the speed test of my ISP?

 

Short answer: Yes

Long answer:
More often than not, your ISP offers a speed test based on the Ookla Speedtest (a sample shows at least 5 out of 6). Such a mainstream speed test measures the download speed just as good as the Ookla Speedtest. The results of the Ookla Speedtest are structural significant lower than your real internet speed as measured by SpeedOf.me. Hence you might interpret the results of the speed test of your provider as a minimum speed you get.

The three categories of speed testsISP Speed tests

What speed tests are available?

 

There are numerous speed tests. This is mainly because many ISPs offer their own speed tests. However, these speed tests are not unique. Many ISP speed tests are based on the Ookla Speedtest. The number of unique speed tests is pretty clear. An overview of unique speed tests can be found at ZOMDir.

ISP Speed testsA shortlist of speed tests

Is Google Fiber speed test accurate?

 

Google Fiber is accurate. It is a mainstream speed test that accurately measures advertised speed. Google Fiber is a highly recommended speed test. It was the number 1 speed test in the ultimate speed test test of 2020 and has the highest overall score in the ultimate speed test test of 2022.

The ultimate speed test test 2022The ultimate speed test test 2020The most accurate speed test

Is Ookla Speedtest accurate?

 

Ookla Speedtest is accurate. It is a mainstream speed test that accurately measures advertised speed. It is almost impossible to rate the Ookla Speedtest as inaccurate. After all, almost every ISP recommends using the Ookla Speedtest.

The most accurate speed testISP Speed tests

Is Ookla Speedtest reliable?

 

Ookla Speedtest is a reliable speed test, although this speed test is only recommended if you have a discussion with your ISP. In general the Ookla Speedtest is not recommended.

ISP Speed tests

Is Ookla Speedtest privacy-friendly?

 

Ookla Speedtest is not a privacy-friendly speed test. In fact, it's the least privacy-friendly speed test out there.

Privacy-friendly speed tests

Which speed tests are similar to Ookla Speedtest?

 

The following speed tests are similar to Ookla Speedtest: Broadband Speed Checker, Cloudflare, DSLReports, Fireprobe, Google Fiber, M-Lab, SamKnows and SpeedSmart.

The most accurate speed test

Is there a better speed test than Ookla?

 

Yes, there are better speed tests than Ookla. Google Fiber and Measurement Lab are better than Ookla.

The most accurate speed test

Factors affecting your internet speed

Which factors have the greatest influence on your internet speed?

 

Large downloads (and TOR) have the biggest negative impact on your internet speed.

Your home network can have a very strong negative impact. If so, you probably have low and highly variable test results.

Speed determining factorsThe ultimate home network test 2022

Does the test server used affect my internet speed?

 

The test server used does not affect your internet speed.

Depending on the speed test used, the test server used can affect the measured internet speed.

However, in most speed tests, the test server used does not significantly affect the measurement of your internet speed.

Speed determining factors (based on the first test)

Does the browser you use affect your internet speed?

 

As long as you use a modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), this will not affect your internet speed.

Speed determining factors

Does the operating system you use affect your internet speed?

 

As long as you are running a modern updated operating system (Linux, OS X, Windows), it will not affect your internet speed.

Speed determining factors

Do other running programs affect your internet speed?

 

Other active programs have no significant negative effect on your internet speed. However, intensive calculations can make it difficult to measure your internet speed properly.

Speed determining factors

Does the Domain Name System (DNS) server you use affect your internet speed?

 

The Domain Name System (DNS) server you are using will not affect your internet speed.

Speed determining factors

Does using video streaming affect your internet speed?

 

Video streaming uses some of your internet speed. Your internet speed as provided by your ISP does not change.

Depending on the speed test used, the use of video streaming can affect the measurement of your internet speed.

Speed determining factors

Does using TOR affect your internet speed?

 

TOR uses a lot of your internet speed. Your internet speed as provided by your ISP does not change.

If you measure your internet speed while using TOR, the measured speed will be significantly slower.

Speed determining factors (based on the first test)

Does downloading files affect your internet speed?

 

Downloading files uses some of your internet speed. Your internet speed as provided by your ISP does not change.

If you measure your internet speed while downloading files, the measured speed will be significantly slower.

Speed determining factors

How does VPN use affect your internet speed?

 

Depending on the VPN (Virtual Private Network) used, this can significantly affect your internet speed.

Research shows that there are major differences. There are VPNs that do not have a significant influence, but also VPNs that do have a significant influence.

Note that your internet speed as provided by your ISP does not change with the use of VPN.

Speed determining factors

Does the hardware used affect my internet speed?

 

The hardware you use (computer, Wi-Fi router, Powerline) can affect your internet speed.

This will be especially the case when the specifications of your hardware are less than the download speed provided by your ISP.

Note that the slowest part of your network determines your internet speed.

How does malware affect my internet speed?

 

The influence of malware on your internet speed cannot be determined generically. You can assume that malware is using some of your internet speed.

Hence, malware is likely to negatively impact your internet speed. How much that is depends on the malware on your system.

Does the location of the Wi-Fi router matter?

 

Wi-Fi uses a specific part of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. Concrete, brick and masonry significantly dampen the radio signals used by Wi-Fi. The radio waves from a microwave oven interfere with Wi-Fi radio signals.

The location of your WiFi router can therefore greatly affect your internet speed.

Does time of day affect Internet speed?

 

The time of day can affect your internet speed. It depends on your internet subscription and the quality of your Internet Service Provider's (ISP's) network.

Wikipedia - Internet rush hour

How do other devices and users affect my internet speed?

 

Other devices and users will use some of the available internet speed. Your internet speed as provided by your ISP does not change.

If you measure your internet speed while other devices and users are using the internet, the measured speed may be slower.

This depends on the internet usage by the other devices and users.

Required speed

How much internet speed is required?

 

The required internet speed depends on the number of users and the type of use. As a rule of thumb, moderate use of the internet requires a download speed of 8 Mbps per user.

FCC's Household Broadband Guide

Which download speed is required for video streaming?

 

The required download speed for video streaming in HD (High Definition) television quality is 5 Mbps per screen. This requirement is independent of the streaming platform. Note: Netflix has developed the Fast speed test so that you can easily test whether your internet speed is good enough for Netflix.

Netflix Internet Connection Speed RecommendationsWhat internet speed do I need for fire stick?You Tube's System requirementsThe three categories of speed tests

Which download speed is required for gaming?

 

For populare gaming platforms like the Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch you need a download speed of 3Mbps.

Troubleshoot your network connection speed - Xbox supportTroubleshooting Slow Download and Upload Speeds - Nintendo Switch Family

Which internet speed is required for online meetings?

 

It depends on the platform you use. For example Zoom requires 3.8 Mbps up and 3.0 Mbps down for a video call. MS Teams requires 4 Mbps up and down.

Zoom's Bandwidth requirementsMS Teams' Bandwidth Requirements

Other questions

Do you have another question regarding speed tests, and you can't find the answer?

Please let me know by sending an e-mail to zomdir@gmail.com.

The FAQs above are based on the following speed test tests: 2022, 2021, 2020 updated and 2020.