How to test your internet speed on Mac

The simplest method: SeventySpeed

Install SeventySpeed, click "Start test": your download, upload and ping are measured in about fifteen seconds against Cloudflare's servers, right in a small Mac window, with no browser tab or website to open. The gauge fills up live, all three results land in tiles, and your last 5 tests stay available in a history to track how your line evolves.

Download the free SeventySpeed trial (7 days, macOS 13+).

Why not just use an online speed test site

• No tab to open: one click on the menu bar icon is enough, no need to hunt for the right website every time.
• Results kept locally: your last 5 tests stay in the app's history, no account, no ad tracking.
• An optional permanent eye: live throughput in the menu bar (reading macOS network counters, zero data used) lets you watch your connection without running a test.

Understanding the 3 numbers

Download: how fast your Mac receives data, what matters for streaming, downloads and browsing. Upload: your sending speed, important for video calls, sending files or cloud backups. Ping: the response time in milliseconds, decisive for responsiveness in online gaming or video calls, regardless of throughput.

Wifi, Ethernet and time of day

For a reliable picture, always compare several tests rather than a single run: Wifi varies with distance and interference, server load varies with the time of day, and an Ethernet cable usually gives the result closest to what your ISP actually promises.

Mistakes to avoid

• Running the test during a backup or a big download: the result will be artificially low.
• Trusting a single isolated test: the trend across several runs tells a much clearer story.
• Confusing throughput and ping: a fast line with high ping still feels laggy in calls or games.

Get SeventySpeed: 7-day trial, then a lifetime license.