Testing your internet speed using a web browser is convenient, but it introduces variables like browser extensions, cache, and overhead that can skew results. For developers, sysadmins, or anyone troubleshooting a network, using a tool offers a more direct, lightweight, and scriptable alternative. 1. Speedtest CLI (The Industry Standard)
: Download the .exe from the official site and run it via CMD or PowerShell. Commands : speedtest — Runs the standard test. speedtest -L — Lists available nearby servers. speedtest -s [ID] — Tests against a specific server. 2. Fast CLI (Powered by Netflix)
If you only care about download speed—specifically for streaming performance—the Fast CLI is the fastest way to check. It uses Netflix’s fast.com infrastructure.
: General users and developers who need detailed JSON or CSV output for automation. How to Use : macOS : brew install speedtest . Ubuntu/Debian : sudo apt install speedtest .
: Measures download, upload, latency, jitter, and packet loss.
The most popular tool is the Official Speedtest CLI by Ookla. Unlike the unofficial Python versions (often called speedtest-cli ), the official binary is written in C++ for better performance on high-speed connections.