How do I do a download speed test when comparing Hosting Providers?
 

How do I do a download speed test when comparing Hosting Providers?

I'm on a Macbook Pro - wondering if there's an ap for this?

Also, I have accounts at each provider with a 100mb file, but I'm guessing I'm closer to one than the other? How would I make it fair?

Can you be a little more specific. Are you talking about you have websites at different providers and want to see which one is providing the fastest downloads?

try looking here http://www.net-track.ch/opensource/speedtest/

I'm trying to choose a primary hosting provider for my website. How can I test their speed?

There is a lot to consider when looking for a provider. So much so that I doubt you could get accurate results testing from a couple of locations.

You should look for a hosting provider that is a the closest to a Tier 1 that you can afford. Tier 1 providers are the backbone of the internet. Tier 2 Providers connect to Tier 1, Tier 3 connect to Tier 2 and so on.

Tier 1 = $$$$$
Tier 2 = $$$$
Tier 3 = $$$
Tier 4 = $$

Think of it like a tree Tier 1 are the closest to the trunk and have the largest branches, tier 2 connect to tier 1 and have smaller branches . . .

Another thing to look for is a multi-homed provider (they will have connections to more than one provider (hopefully with different tier 1 providers)) so they will generally be more reliable.


So ask the following of both providers:

How much Available Bandwidth they have.
What Tier, and what providers they use.
Are they Multi Homed?

What type of plan are do they offer:
* Shared:
Hosting provider owns the server,
and you share it with several other websites.

* Dedicated:
Hosting provider owns the server,
you administer it and have exclusive rights to it.

* Managed:
Hosting provider owns the server
and administers it for you.

* Collocation:
You own the server and administer it.

Unless you are going to be having 100MB files for download on the site, that will not be a fair test either, because unless you are testing from a Tier 1 site there could be a lot of bottle necks between one or both hosting companies. Then of course you could be downstream of one hosting company and the other could be on another tier 1 provider.

You might try a site like THIS ONE to test load times. Though I don't know how close they are to Tier 1.

Good Luck.

thank you jstephens84!!!