Real-world tools for understanding what your connection is actually doing.
Revision 1, 12.18.2025-4.15pm
Added the self hosted openspeed test options.
Why Speed Tests Matter (and Why One Test Isn’t Enough)
Most people run a speed test, see a number, and move on. That’s fine—until things feel slow, video calls start breaking up, or your Wi-Fi behaves differently depending on the room you’re in.
Internet performance isn’t just about download speed. It’s about:
– How consistent that speed is
– How long data takes to get where it’s going (latency)
– Whether delays spike when the connection is under load (bufferbloat)
– How your router, Wi-Fi, and VPNs affect everything in between
This article pulls together **practical speed testing tools and network diagnostics**—from simple browser tests to router-level utilities—so you can actually understand what’s happening on your network.
Speed Test Tools I Host
I host a few testing tools myself because I wanted something clean, ad-free, and consistent—especially for repeat testing.
- LibreSpeed https://librespeed.twy4.us
LibreSpeed is a no-nonsense browser-based test that shows:
– Download speed
– Upload speed
– Latency and jitter - OpenSpeedTest https://ost.twy4.us/
OpenSpeedTest is great when you want to push your connection harder.
– Sustained throughput testing
– Useful for Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7
– Helpful when testing VPN routing or mesh systems- iPerf3 Server 🔗 iperf3.twy4.us
For anyone comfortable with the command line, iPerf3 is still the gold standard.
– LAN, WAN, and VPN testing
– Multi-stream and reverse tests
– Removes browser and device limitations
- iPerf3 Server 🔗 iperf3.twy4.us
Public Speed Test Websites
These are the big names most people recognize. They’re quick, accessible, and useful for baseline comparisons.
- Speedtest by Ookla
https://www.speedtest.net - Fast.com (Netflix)
https://fast.com - TestMy.net
https://testmy.net - SpeedOf.Me
https://speedof.me - nPerf
https://www.nperf.com
Testing Latency, Stability, and Quality
Speed alone doesn’t tell you how usable your connection is.
Bufferbloat Testing
Bufferbloat tests show what happens to latency when your connection is under load—something most speed tests ignore.
https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat
Self-Hosted Speed Testing on Your Router (OpenSpeedTest)
If you want more consistent results than public speed test sites can provide, running your own speed test server is a great option—especially for testing Wi-Fi, switches, or VPN routing.
OpenSpeedTest is a lightweight, browser-based speed test that can be self-hosted and accessed from any device on your network. It doesn’t require special apps and works anywhere a modern browser works.
For OpenWrt-based routers (including GL.iNet devices), there’s a community installer script that makes this easy:
https://github.com/phantasm22/OpenSpeedTestServer
This project installs OpenSpeedTest using NGINX directly on the router, turning it into a local speed test endpoint you can hit from phones, laptops, or desktops on your LAN.
Why run it locally?
• Removes internet and ISP variables
• Makes Wi-Fi and internal network testing more accurate
• Lets you compare LAN, WAN, and VPN performance reliably
It’s especially useful when public speed tests give inconsistent or misleading results. Combined with browser tests and router-level diagnostics, a self-hosted speed test helps you see what your network is actually doing.
Network-Diag-Utilities (GL.iNet OpenWrt Focused)
Important Compatibility Note: These scripts were written specifically for GL.iNet routers running OpenWrt-based firmware.
They are not generic Linux scripts, and they are not intended for stock ISP routers or closed consumer firmware.
About the Project
The Network-Diag-Utilities repository was created by Steve, a member of the GL.iNet Discord community. The goal was simple: make it easier to run real diagnostics directly on GL.iNet routers. https://github.com/wickedyoda/Network-Diag-Utilities
What These Scripts Are Good At
These tools are meant to be run on the router itself, not just from a client device.
They help with:
– iPerf3 throughput testing
– Tracing latency and routing paths
– Identifying MTU and bufferbloat-related issues
– Comparing wired, wireless, and VPN performance
They assume:
– GL.iNet OpenWrt firmware
– BusyBox-based utilities
– SSH access to the device
– GL.iNet’s filesystem layout and packages
Why Mixing Tools Gives Better Results
No single test tells the full story.
– Browser tests are quick and convenient
– Hosted tools give consistent results
– Router-level diagnostics show what’s actually happening
Using all three together gives you a much clearer picture—and saves a lot of guesswork.
Final Thoughts
If you want real answers about your internet connection, testing once isn’t enough—and testing from one place isn’t enough either.
Whether you’re using public speed tests, hosted tools, or running diagnostics directly on a GL.iNet OpenWrt-based router, the key is consistency and context.
Run multiple tests. Change one thing at a time. Let the data tell the story.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Network performance can vary based on hardware, firmware, ISP conditions, and configuration, and results shown by any testing tool should be considered indicative rather than guaranteed. By using the tools and links referenced here, you agree to my site’s Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.