Best WiFi Speed Test Apps for Mac

How to Test Wi-Fi Speed on Mac?

Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or just browsing, your WiFi speed can significantly affect your online experience. Testing your WiFi speed on a Mac can help ensure that you're getting the best possible performance.

Your maximum WiFi download and upload speed are determined by three main factors: the performance of your wireless adapter, which is built into your Mac computer, the performance of your wireless router, and your internet connection.

To check your Mac’s compatibility with WiFi standards:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Hold down the Option key and select System Information.
3. Navigate to Network and then to Wi-Fi.
4. Look for Supported PHY Modes. You’ll see values like 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, indicating which WiFi standards your Mac supports.

It's essential to ensure that both your Mac and your router are operating on the same WiFi standard for optimal performance. Ideally, both should support the latest 802.11ax standard, also known as WiFi 6. This standard theoretically supports speeds up to 9.6 Gbps, a significant leap from the previous 802.11ac standard (WiFi 5), which caps around 3.5 Gbps.

If your Mac supports 802.11ax but your router does not, your router will be the limiting factor, potentially bottlenecking your connection speeds. Conversely, if your router is capable of WiFi 6 speeds but your Mac is not, your device will be the limiting factor.

Once you've confirmed that your devices are compatible and up-to-date, it's time to conduct a speed test using one of the best Mac WiFi speed test apps listed below (alternatively, you can use the best WiFi speed test apps for Android or the best speed test apps for Windows). These apps will help you determine whether you're actually getting the download and upload speeds that your ISP advertises.

Should there be a discrepancy between the expected and actual speeds, it may be necessary to conduct a WiFi site survey and analysis using an app like NetSpot (see below). This process can help you optimize your WiFi settings, select the best channel for your network, and determine the ideal placement for your router to enhance signal strength and coverage throughout your space.

NetSpot’s Inspector Mode is perfect for a quick analysis of nearby WiFi networks. It instantly gathers all available information about WiFi networks that are within reach, including the channel they are broadcasted on, their strength, noise, BSSID, and security.

The Survey Mode allows you to create a detailed signal heatmap of an area to see which parts of the area are covered with a strong WiFi signal and which could use a boost.

To conduct a WiFi site survey with NetSpot, you simply upload a map of the area you would like to survey, or create a new map from scratch using the NetSpot’s built-in map editor, and walk from one part of the area to another until NetSpot has all the information it needs to create a heatmap that shows where the signal is the strongest and where it is the weakest.

Last but not least is the Planning mode, which was introduced with the release of NetSpot 3. This mode is a game-changer for those setting up a new network or looking to improve an existing one.

It offers predictive analysis, which means you can plan and modify your WiFi network without physically altering the setup first. By inputting various parameters such as building dimensions, wall materials, and accept point configuration, NetSpot’s Planning mode simulates potential network layouts and predicts how the signal will propagate.

To test WiFi speed with NetSpot, you need to:

1. Download and install NetSpot for Mac from the Mac App Store.
2. Open NetSpot and go to the Survey tab to begin a new site survey of your network.
3. Complete the survey and choose to see the download speed or upload speed heatmap.
4. Move the mouse cursor over the heat map to see the measured speed value in that location.

NetSpot is available for Mac and Windows computers, and it can be downloaded for free for testing purposes. The cost of a full NetSpot license for a single home user is only $59, and a discounted company-wide license is available for companies with more than 10 employees. Non-profit organizations, education institutions, and government organizations are also eligible for a considerable discount.

Fast.com is a super-simple WiFi speed test app for Mac and other computers and devices with a modern web browser. Unlike most other similar apps, Fast.com only measures your download speed, and it does so as soon as you open it.

It also lives up to its name and works very fast, making it perfect for people who don’t know much about computers but would like to know why they can’t watch an online video in low quality without buffering.

Speedio is a Wi-Fi speed test tool that lives in the menu bar and uses a unique algorithm that resists being fooled by speed enhancement tools, so the results are always accurate. Another key feature of this tool is the ability to schedule tests at regular intervals, automatic testing over set timeframes for continuous monitoring.

The in-app purchase options for Speedio provide flexibility for users who require frequent testing capabilities, but the cost for these premium services may be a downside for some. Given the developer's expansive range of Mac apps, we have concerns about the level of specialized customer support available for this specific app.

Conclusion

A fast and reliable internet connection is a necessity, especially for Mac users who are accustomed to a seamless experience. If your web pages are loading slower than expected or your downloads are taking forever, it’s crucial to figure out the cause. Testing your WiFi speed is the first step in diagnosing and fixing these issues, and we hope that our list of the best WiFi speed test apps has helped you find the right tool for your needs.

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