Help
This page provides you with answers on the most frequently asked questions.
About iPingTest's speedtest
1. What is the best way to use iPingTest?
You can visit the site whenever you want to do a quick speed test, or install the
2. Why is iPingTest the fastest speed test on the Internet?
There are a lot of free speed tests around. Since they use up a lot of bandwidth, sponsored servers are an easy but not always optimal solution. Free services that provide download-servers from high speed uplinks are very, very scarce. Don’t look any further, you’ve found one! We pride ourselves in providing you with very fast connections, so you’ll be able to see what your *maximum* download speed is, instead of your download-speed as seen from an already smoking server.
3. But what about the distance between iPingTest’s servers and my computer?
Geographical distance is definitively an overrated issue. It is not about ‘how the crow flies’, but about ‘where the fibre lies’. You get the best results by connecting to a dedicated server on a high speed-uplink, even if that server is very far away in a geographical sense. We’re able to correct the results for that distance, by subtracting the time before the first byte comes in, from the total download-time.
4. Do I need to install any software to perform a speed test?
No, a regular web browser with JavaScript turned on is sufficient to start the test. If you want to test on a more permanent bases however, the iPingTest-software is a great way to do so.
5. Is the test working on any kind of computers or connection?
Yes, it does. If you have any problems using the test, please check if JavaScript is not turned off in your browser.
6. Why must Java-script be turned on?
In order to be able to determine the speed of your connection, a small (java)script must be able to run in your browser that will retrieve test-files to see how fast that goes. No script means no test, and unfortunately no results.
7. Why am I not recognized as an regular visitor?
iPingTest uses cookies to recognize returning visitors, so we’re able to compare your results and present weekly, monthly and 3 monthly-averages. If your browser does not accept cookies, iPingTest will not be able to retrieve your previous results. You'll be able to use the speed test without any problems, but from our point of view you'll be a new user every time you visit the site.
8. Why is iPingTest a free service?
iPingTest is a FREE service, since it is in part financed by allowing ads on the results pages, and by ISP’s and governments who take a subscription on our data to see how the performance of their networks is developing. Your privacy is guaranteed: we will never supply data that can be trace able to individual ip-addresses or persons.
9. Is my privacy guaranteed?
YES, we will never sell data that can be traceable to individual ip-addresses or persons.
About iPingTest's software
10. What are the benefits of installing the iPingTest-software?
If you install the iPingTest-software, the performance of your connection get monitored on a daily basis without the need to perform a manual speed test. Furthermore you’ll be able to open your own user-page directly by clicking on the icon in your traybar.
11. On which platforms does the software run?
There are free versions available for Windows, Mac OSX versions 10.5 or later, and Linux. See the install page for more details
12. Can I take my data/profile with me if I install the iPingTest software?
Yes, that will be possible very soon.
13. How does the iPingTest-client know which ISP I’m using?
We’re using an commercial ip-to-ISP database to present data about ISP’s. That data is not always accurate, so you’re able to make changes when you think the ISP is not correctly displayed.
14. Why do I need to fill in my advertised speed?
If you fill in the maximum theoretical speed of your connection, iPingTest will be able to plot a line in your graph so you can compare the results to that maximum speed.
15. Can I download the gathered data?
Yes, that will be possible very soon.
16. Great service, guys, how can I help?
Thanks a lot for the support and for using the tests! Since we’re just started this worldwide service, a lot of new clients are needed in a lot of countries to be able to give reliable estimates. So please spread the word by linking, blogging or writing about this speed test!