Monday, September 22, 2014

How Accurate Are Speed Tests

If you are thinking about the speed tests that you take online and whether they are accurate or not then the first thing you should know that there isn't any speed test online which can give you a 100 % reliable result. The main reason for this is because of the various factors which affect the results of every test. Even when it comes to testing a VPN service, you can't really be confident that you have an accurate idea of your internet speed. So why choose a paid VPN? Most tests don't even use reliable procedures. Therefore, their test results are inaccurate. It is only the tests which use the latest and most advanced features which provide accurate results. Also, you need to understand that results will vary from one time to another.

First of all, you need to understand that a speed test is just a browsing simulation. It gives you a rough idea of how fast your internet speed is when being used in regular conditions. But this doesn't necessarily reflect your browsing, uploading or downloading speeds. The results may even be contradictory as compared to your actual browsing experience.

So why are speed tests so inconsistent? Let's take a look at a few of the reasons:

1. One of the major reasons for this inconsistency is the geographical location of the server which is testing your speed. If it is really far, it can be quite unreliable. So choose a server which is near you if you want better results.

2. Another thing which can influence the test results is any other activity on your computer. If you are using your PC for something else while taking the test, you will get lower figures in the results. Even if your service provider is currently experiencing high usage, you may get lower speeds than expected.

3. Proxy servers can also cause trouble when it comes to speed tests. Let's say, for example, that you are part of a corporate network, you'll probably be using a proxy server. This will slow down your internet speed significantly as well.

4. And lastly, if people are running various tests on the same test server at the same time then it may influence the test results.

At the end of the day, the best way to ensure accurate results is to take multiple tests over a period of time and then take an average of the results. So what are you waiting for? Find out how fast your internet speed really is today.