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Networking

Free Tools for Conducting a Network Speed Test

by Adam Lovinus June 3, 2015
by Adam Lovinus June 3, 2015 5 comments 14136 views

Conducting a network speed test helps ensure that computers and devices on your network are getting the data flow and performance your users need. There are dozens of tools you can use that vary in price, feature sets, and necessary technical aptitude for proper usage.

Some tools require little more than a basic understanding of network administration to use. Others may require an academic technical background to take advantage of their full range of features. Generally speaking, the simpler tools tend to be adequate for analyzing traffic for many SMB networks.

The more complex programs bundle in security features and add more robust data analysis along with tools for running a network speed test. As a business grows, these features become quite valuable.

Here are five reputable and (mostly) free pieces of software that will gauge network speed for organizations that range from a handful of seats to a medium size business.

BitMeter II

BitMeter2
 

Cost: Free
Features: This simple bandwidth meter monitors Internet connection speeds.. It displays historical data on a chart and can export the numbers to a spreadsheet file. The program installs on a single machine so it best suited for very small environments.

LAN Speed Test

LAN speed test
 

Cost: Free for lite version; $6 for full
Features: This simple but powerful tool measures LAN speed, file transfer, hard drive, and USB drive speeds.  It uses a portable executable format and does not need to be installed onto a computer to operate. It works by creating and sending a test packet across a network. The free lite version allows a packet size up to 9 GB. Upgrading to the full version opens more features, like simultaneous packet streams and alert functions.

Iperf

 

iPerf
 

Cost: Free
Features: The open source freeware Iperf measures transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) data streams while measuring overall network throughput. It is a cross-platform tool that is ideal for mixed OS environments. While Ipef is controlled via command line, it is also accessible with a GUI frontend called JPerf.

PRTG Network Monitor

 

PRTG
 

Cost: Free up to 100 sensors—defined as one aspect that you monitor on a device. Tiered pricing ranging from $1,600 for 500 sensors up to $13,500 for unlimited.
Features: PRTG is built to monitor a medium-sized office network. PRTG Includes packet sniffing, supports simple network management protocol (SNMP),Windows management instrumentation (WMI), and vendor-specific networking languages NetFlow, jFlow, and sFlow. It monitors and tracks network data in a feature rich browser-based UI.

Wireshark

 

wireshark
 

Cost: Free
Features: Wireshark is an open-source, professional grade protocol analyzer used by networking specialists and security experts. To utilize its full range of features probably requires formal technical training, though the Wireshark online community offers extensive materials for those willing to get acquainted with it. Its capabilities extend far beyond a network speed test—think of Wireshark as equal parts network analyzing tool and security software.

Let us know your tool of choice for conducting a network speed test and tracking network performance in the comments.

Adam Lovinus

Adam Lovinus

A tech writer and Raspberry Pi enthusiast from Orange County, California.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - LinkedIn - Google Plus

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Free Tools for Conducting a Network Speed Test
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Free Tools for Conducting a Network Speed Test
Description
Conducting a network speed test helps ensure that devices are getting the data flow and performance your users need. Here are five (mostly) free tools.
Author
Adam Lovinus
networking
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Adam Lovinus
Adam Lovinus

A tech writer and Raspberry Pi enthusiast from Orange County, California.

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5 comments

6 Questions for Finding the Best SMB Server for Your Needs - HardBoiled June 6, 2016 - 4:28 pm

[…] clearer picture of the throughput metrics in your current network, there are number of free ways to conduct a network speed test for a LAN and […]

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Avatar
Lawrence January 19, 2018 - 6:45 am

This is a good post, Mr. Lovinus, thanks for putting it up. All network admins should know of all these programs, even if they never use them. I’ve personally used them all except for BitMeter. Good stuff!

Reply
Adam Lovinus
Adam Lovinus January 19, 2018 - 9:57 am

Appreciate the kind words, Lawrence!

Reply
Avatar
Rick Kane January 24, 2018 - 4:01 pm

Nicely done Adam.. PRTG works great..

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Avatar
M Brennan August 31, 2018 - 8:43 am

How do I find where these software companies originate from or supply updates from? I am thinking in terms of cyber security and “country of origin”. I’m not sure if I am asking the right question – but how does a normal user find out if they are installing software originating from, say, China? Should not there be full disclosure these days?

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