How to check download speed on Mac? 2 Quick & Easy ways you must know

How to check download speed on Mac? 

Have you ever heard of 2 different ways to test your network connection performance? 

Keep reading the article, you will see why running a speed test is vital.

Also, you’ll learn ways to test Internet speed quickly.

Jump into the details instantly!

How to check download speed on Mac?

Why should we run a speed test?

Why should we conduct a speed test online? 

Surely many people are asking that question. 

There are many cases where after registering for an Internet plan, the initial speed of Internet access is very fast.

Yet, later on, the Internet is slow, and the network flickers sometimes without knowing why. 

In that case, people can evaluate a network connection whether fast or not through a download speed test. 

If users only access normal websites, users can't determine whether it is due to a transmission error or not. 

You should have a specific and detailed speed test method.

Why should I use a speed test on the Internet?

After testing, if you find that the actual usage speed matches the speed recorded on the network contract, you can use the service with complete peace of mind. 

However, if it is much slower, you should contact your network provider to ensure your benefits.

Furthermore, running a speed test lets you know the network coverage for the whole house through the test result. 

Does the Internet speed at different places in your house have a huge difference? 

The Internet speed test will tell you the answer.

So, checking download speed or connection speed is an essential activity while using a network connection. 

How to check download speed on Mac?

In this part, we’ll present you with 2 ways to test your speed of downloading.

Check them out!

Method 1: Use a speed test website - MySpeed 

The first method is free and quick to check download and upload speed.

Well, MySpeed is a popular download speed check that is fast and accurate about what upload speeds, download speeds, and ping stats are. 

It’s available on both mobile and desktop devices so checking on Mac, Windows, or even checking the download speed Comcast is possible.

The easy way to measure a network is as follows:

• Step 1: Visit https://gospeedcheck.com/ 

• Step 2: When the main interface appears, click “GO” to start testing

• Step 3: Check the result

See how we do it:

MySpeed is easy to use

After a few seconds, a table will appear containing information about your network speed:

Download speed: the rate of downloading data on the web and returning the device. 

Unit: Mbps (Megabyte).

Upload speed: the rate of uploading data from your computer to the web. Unit: Mbps (Megabyte), usually the upload speed is about 1 Mbps.

Ping: the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host of a destination computer that is echoed coming back to the source. 

Unit: ms (milliseconds).

A speed test result

Method 2: Use Activity Monitor on Mac

In addition to a third-party website, you can easily check download speed on your Mac. 

Follow out instructions:

• Step 1: Open the “Finder”

Open Finder

• Step 2: Click “Application” and then choose “Utilities”

Choose Utilities

• Step 3: Launch Activity Monitor

Additionally, Spotlight Search can be opened by hitting Command (⌘) + Space and typing "Activity Monitor."

Launch Activity Monitor

• Step 4: Click on “Network”

Choose Network

• Step 5: At the bottom right, you can see your download speed in “Data received/sec”.

Below is the “Data sent/sec” - your upload speed.

Check your Internet speed

Why is my download speed slower than speed test?

After testing Internet connection speed, many people realized that downloading is slower than Internet speed tests. 

It means that the test result is good but they often experience choppy, jerky situations.

The reason can be the following:

• “Up to” speed

The Internet provider offers a higher speed than its actual rate as it’s assumed in an ideal condition like just one device using the network at a peak-off hour. 

In reality, that is difficult to happen.

• The testing tools recommended by your ISP can cause the contraction

These tools are not objective and don’t reflect the actual speed. 

So, choosing another independent testing tool is the best way. 

They can be MySpeed, Speed test by Ookla, or Fast.

You should use an independent Internet speed test

• Run a speed test wrongly

It’s a common mistake causing download speed not matching speed test.

For example, testing during peak hours may lead to inaccurate testing results.

Enable too many programs to run while conducting a test or turning on the VPN also cause wrong results.

These mistakes will influence the testing process. 

Don’t enable VPN while running a speed test

Remember that every Internet speed test measures download speeds at that time. 

So, remember to apply these tips:

#1: Ensure there are no programs on the computer downloading or any computer on the local network using the Internet connection. 

#2: Do multiple tests

#3: Test to different test servers

#4: Test on different testing sites

#5: Reboot your devices/router

#6: Make sure there’s no existing internal network traffic

Doing so will help limit the situation of “why does my download speed not match speed test ?”

How to speed up downloads on Mac?

Well, the download speed of your Mac's Internet connection could be impacted by a variety of factors. 

There could be a temporary problem with your router, an outage with your ISP a problem with the Wi-Fi configuration files on your Mac, etc. 

Your Internet speed may also be slowed down by a VPN connection.

Thus, here are some ways to help you get a better download speed:

Tips on enhancing Mac’s download speed