10 Best Of > Tools and software > The 10 Best Flow Testing Tools
In today's hyper-connected world, a good Internet connection is essential. Whether you're teleworking, streaming, playing games online or simply browsing, the speed of your connection is crucial. But how do you know if your ISP is delivering what it promises?
That's what speed testing tools are for. They allow you to accurately measure the quality of your connection. Here is our selection of the 10 best tools for evaluating your Internet performance.
Rank | Name of tool | Site URL | Main asset |
1 | Speedtest by Ookla | https://www.speedtest.net/ | Precision and worldwide coverage. |
2 | Google Fibre Speed Test | https://speed.googlefiber.net/ | Simple, fast and reliable. |
3 | Fast.com (Netflix) | https://fast.com/fr/ | Measurement based on video streaming. |
4 | nPerf | https://www.nperf.com/fr/ | Comprehensive tests (throughput, latency, browsing, streaming). |
5 | UFC-Que Choisir speed test | https://www.quechoisir.org/test-de-debit/ | Independent and comparative ISP. |
6 | Test My.net | https://testmy.net/ | Downloading/uploading large files. |
7 | DSLReports Speed Test | https://www.dslreports.com/speedtest | Detailed analysis of latency and quality. |
8 | OpenSpeedTest | https://openspeedtest.com/ | Self-hosting, based on HTML5. |
9 | Cloudflare Speed Test | https://speed.cloudflare.com/ | Measures performance from the browser. |
10 | Meteor (OpenSignal) | https://opensignal.com/fr/speed-test-app/meteor | Mobile application for real application throughput. |
Speedtest by Ookla is without doubt the best-known and most widely used speed test tool in the world. Its popularity is based on its accuracy, speed and ability to connect to many servers around the world. It provides reliable measurements of download, upload and ping speeds, all with a clear, intuitive interface.
The Google Fibre speed test stands out for its simplicity and reliability. Directly from Google, it offers a streamlined interface and measures your connection quickly and efficiently. It's an excellent choice for those looking for a no-frills tool that's easy to understand and delivers relevant results without unwanted advertising.
Developed by Netflix, Fast.com is specifically designed to assess the speed of your connection from a video streaming perspective. It mainly measures download speed, which is crucial for a smooth experience on video-on-demand platforms. It's a simple and effective tool for finding out whether your speed is sufficient for watching high-resolution content.
nPerf is a comprehensive speed test tool that goes beyond simple download and upload measurements. It offers tests of latency, web browsing, video streaming (YouTube, Netflix) and use of social networks. nPerf gives you an overall view of the quality of your connection and enables you to diagnose any problems linked to specific uses.
The speed test tool offered by UFC-Que Choisir is a benchmark for French consumers. Independent, it not only provides an accurate measurement of your connection, but also allows you to compare your performance with that of subscribers to other ISPs. It's an excellent way of checking whether your ISP is honouring its commitments.
Test My.net is an online throughput test tool that stands out for its ability to perform download and upload tests on large files. Unlike other tools that use small amounts of data, Test My.net can simulate more realistic file transfer conditions, providing a more relevant measurement for intensive use.
DSLReports Speed Test is a highly detailed tool that provides an in-depth analysis of the latency and quality of your connection. As well as raw throughput figures, it provides information on jitter, packet loss and connection stability. It's a valuable tool for advanced users or those experiencing fluidity problems.
OpenSpeedTest is an HTML5-based throughput testing tool, making it compatible with most modern browsers without the need for plugins. Its main advantage is that it can be self-hosted on its own server, which is ideal for businesses or network administrators who want to test the performance of their internal network accurately and in isolation.
Cloudflare's throughput test focuses on measuring the performance of your connection directly from the browser. It provides information on latency and throughput across Cloudflare's global network, giving an overview of how quickly you can access content distributed via their servers. It's a simple and effective tool for a quick check.
Meteor, developed by OpenSignal, is a mobile broadband test application that stands out for its ability to measure the real impact of your connection on the performance of your favourite applications (social networks, games, streaming). Beyond the raw numbers, it tells you whether your throughput is sufficient for your daily uses, offering a very practical perspective.
Testing your Internet speed regularly ensures that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) respects the speeds promised in your contract. It's also a way of diagnosing connection problems, identifying whether a slowdown is due to your equipment, your local network or the ISP, and checking whether your connection is suited to your uses (4K streaming, online games, teleworking).
During a flow test, three main indicators are measured:
To obtain a reliable flow test, follow these tips:
If your speed is consistently lower than promised, start by restarting your Internet box. If the problem persists after running a reliable test (with an Ethernet connection and no other devices using the bandwidth), contact your ISP's customer service department to report the problem and request a diagnosis.
Throughput tests measure the speed between your device and a test server at a given time. Actual speed can vary depending on a number of factors (number of users on the network, state of the remote server, network congestion). The test result is a good indication of the maximum performance you can achieve under optimum conditions.
The 'right' speed depends on what you use it for:
Yes, latency is very important, especially for online games, video calls and interactive applications. A high ping (above 50-100 ms) can lead to noticeable delays (lag) and a poor user experience. A good ping is generally less than 30 ms.
Yes, you can test the quality of your Wi-Fi connection by performing a speed test from a device connected wirelessly. However, bear in mind that Wi-Fi speed can be affected by a number of factors (distance to the router, obstacles, interference, number of devices connected) and will often be lower than the speed obtained with a wired connection.
To improve your flow :
Mobile speed test applications can be reliable for measuring the performance of your cellular (4G/5G) or Wi-Fi connection at a given moment. However, results may vary depending on signal quality, mobile network congestion and the capabilities of your device. For an accurate diagnosis of your fixed Internet connection, a test on a computer via Ethernet is preferable.
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