

Such tools include Speedtest and the macOS Monterey command-line tool networkQuality.īest Prices Today: $0 at Mac App Store macOS Monterey's networkQuality

However, to measure how much throughput you have to and from the internet-the actual real performance of your connection-you have to use a testing tool that interacts with a server somewhere else and then reports on the speed of those interactions. Some routers and broadband modems let you log in and view throughput data or run different network tests. You can also pick up some information about your network connection in the system Wi-Fi menu. Peak Hour has the unique ability to also sample bandwidth data from routers and broadband modems that broadcast the information (more on that in a bit). This includes macOS's Activity Monitor (in Applications Utilities), Peak Hour, and iStat Menus. This includes all data traveling within your local network and that being sent to and received from the internet. Many network tools measure (a single snapshot) or monitor (ongoing samples) data going in and out of a single computer. If you have 1Gbps ethernet throughout your home and your connection to the rest of the world is 1Gbps or less-likely still for nearly all of us-plugging in via ethernet will provide better test results about your internet connection than using Wi-Fi, which can be variable. Within your network, the speed of your connection via ethernet or Wi-Fi can constrain your internet bandwidth.

Monitor versus measure, internet versus networkĬhecking in on your network health is always complicated by your position relative to the internet. Several tools can help you measure or monitor your internet and network performance, and many of them are free. Measuring internet networking performance can help us stay efficient, keep entertained, and remain less frustrated. At the same time, some of us have never experienced such slowdowns and erratic performance as in these past two years, coupled with overloading our previously capable home networks. The past two years has put new emphasis on how important an internet connection is to our daily lives.
