Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

speedtest-cli VS NetBird

Compare speedtest-cli VS NetBird and see what are their differences

speedtest-cli logo speedtest-cli

Test your download speed using SpeedTest on the command-line

NetBird logo NetBird

Connect your devices into a single secure private WireGuardยฎ-based mesh network with SSO/MFA and manage access with just a few clicks.
  • speedtest-cli Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01
  • NetBird Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-10-28
  • NetBird Browser client support
    Browser client support //
    2025-10-28
  • NetBird Control Center
    Control Center //
    2025-10-28
  • NetBird Setup in minutes!
    Setup in minutes! //
    2025-10-28
  • NetBird Secure sharepoints
    Secure sharepoints //
    2025-10-28
  • NetBird SSH/RDP
    SSH/RDP //
    2025-10-28

NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust Networking platform designed by engineers, for engineers. It radically simplifies how modern organizations deploy and manage secure private networks offering the speed, security, and scalability todayโ€™s distributed teams demand.

Built on the trusted, high-performance WireGuardยฎ protocol, NetBird overcomes the traditional limitations of legacy VPNs by creating high-throughput, low-latency decentralized private networks. Its robust architecture provides a single, intuitive management console that enables granular, identity-based access control, integrating seamlessly with your existing Identity Provider (IdP) to support SSO and MFA out of the box.

With native IdP integration, your devices, servers, and cloud environments form direct, encrypted tunnels to each other - no central gateway or bottleneck. The centralized control plane offers full visibility, policy enforcement, and point-and-click management for secure remote access across hybrid and multi-cloud setups.

NetBirdโ€™s decentralized architecture delivers multiple key advantages:

Zero bottlenecks: Traffic flows directly between peers, avoiding latency and bandwidth constraints from central gateways.

Enhanced resilience: With no single point of failure, users stay connected even if on-prem infrastructure fails. Cloud-to-cloud and user-to-cloud links remain fully operational.

Scalability and privacy: Lightweight clients on each peer manage encrypted communication, while the management plane handles authentication and policy distribution without ever seeing your data.

Seamless integrations: Works effortlessly with CrowdStrike, Microsoft Intune, SentinelOne, pfSense, OPNsense, and more. MSPs can manage multiple customer environments securely from a unified dashboard.

Use NetBird for secure remote access, zero-config VPN replacement, Zero Trust enforcement, dynamic posture checks, centralized management, detailed logging and many more features.

speedtest-cli

Website
github.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

NetBird

Website
netbird.io
$ Details
freemium $5.0 / Monthly (Per user)
Platforms
Linux MacOS Windows Android iOS Servers Docker
Release Date
2022 April
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Berlin
City
Berlin
Founder(s)
Mikhail Bragin, Maycon Santos
Employees
10 - 19

speedtest-cli features and specs

  • Open Source
    Speedtest-cli is open-source, meaning the source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
  • Command Line Interface
    Allows users to run internet speed tests from the command line, which can be useful for automation, scripting, and use on headless servers.
  • Platform Independent
    Runs on multiple systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for use across different environments.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Can be easily integrated with other applications and monitoring systems for automated performance tracking and reporting.
  • No Ads
    Unlike web-based speed test services, speedtest-cli does not display any advertisements, offering a cleaner user experience.

Possible disadvantages of speedtest-cli

  • Requires Terminal Knowledge
    Users need to be familiar with the command line interface, which might be a barrier for those who are accustomed to graphical user interfaces.
  • No Graphical Output
    Lacks a visual representation of the speed test results, which can be a disadvantage for users who prefer graphical data.
  • Limited Server Selection
    Automated server selection might not always choose the best server for testing, potentially affecting the accuracy of results.
  • Dependencies
    Speedtest-cli relies on Python and the 'pip' package manager, which may require additional setup steps for some users.
  • Feature Limitations
    Not all features of the web-based Speedtest service (like detailed historical data) are available in the CLI version.

NetBird features and specs

  • Easy Setup
    NetBird offers a straightforward setup process, which allows users to quickly configure and deploy a secure network without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Enhanced Security
    The platform provides robust security features, such as end-to-end encryption and zero-trust architecture, to ensure safe and secure communications across devices and networks.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    NetBird is designed to work across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and more, providing flexibility and interoperability for users with different devices.
  • Scalability
    NetBird allows for easy scaling to accommodate growing networks or expanding user bases, making it suitable for both small teams and larger enterprises.
  • Open-Source
    As an open-source solution, NetBird invites contributions from the community, which can lead to continuous improvements and transparency of its code base.
  • Zero bottlenecks
    Traffic flows directly between peers, eliminating the latency and bandwidth limits caused by routing through a central gateway.
  • Multi-Tenant Management for MSPs
    Manage all customer networks securely from one unified dashboard

Possible disadvantages of NetBird

  • Dependency on Internet Connection
    The performance of NetBird can be hindered by poor or unstable internet connections, potentially impacting network speed and reliability.
  • Potential Learning Curve
    While the setup is generally user-friendly, users without prior experience in networking may encounter a learning curve when navigating certain advanced features or integrations.
  • Limited Support Resources
    As a relatively new or niche solution, NetBird might not have an extensive library of support resources, tutorials, or community forums compared to more established networking tools.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Although NetBird is cross-platform, there could be occasional compatibility issues with specific hardware or software configurations that require troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensity
    Running NetBird's security protocols can consume considerable system resources, which might be a concern for users with older or less powerful devices.

Analysis of speedtest-cli

Overall verdict

  • Speedtest-cli is a reliable and effective tool for quickly assessing internet speed from the command line. It is well-regarded in the tech community for personal use, troubleshooting, and integration into network monitoring solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Speedtest-cli is a popular command-line tool that allows users to measure Internet bandwidth performance by using the Speedtest.net infrastructure. It is favored for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to function on systems without a graphical user interface. It supports automated testing through scripts, making it suitable for batch processing and integration into monitoring systems.

Recommended for

  • System administrators who need a tool to monitor bandwidth performance across different machines.
  • Developers who require automation of speed tests in scripts.
  • Users who prefer command-line interfaces instead of graphical user interfaces.
  • Individuals seeking a lightweight and straightforward way to test internet speed without additional software installations.

speedtest-cli videos

Testing Internet Bandwidth From The Terminal Using Speedtest-cli

More videos:

  • Review - Test internet bandwidth using speedtest-cli

NetBird videos

Get Started with NetBird: Build your Secure P2P Overlay Network

More videos:

  • Tutorial - NEW Netbird Control Center - Remote Access, Beautifully Visualized
  • Demo - NetBird Explained: Architecture for Simple and Secure Remote Access

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to speedtest-cli and NetBird)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
Speed Test
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud VPN
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing speedtest-cli and NetBird.

What makes your product unique?

NetBird's answer:

NetBird is unique because it creates direct, peer-to-peer encrypted connections using WireGuardยฎ, removing the bottlenecks of traditional VPNs. Itโ€™s open-source and self-hostable, giving full control and transparency to users. With identity-based access control and seamless IdP integration, it fully embraces Zero Trust principles. Its decentralized, high-performance architecture ensures scalability, resilience, and simplicity for modern, distributed teams and for MSPs.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

NetBird's answer:

Choose NetBird for its peer-to-peer WireGuardยฎ architecture that delivers faster, more resilient connections without VPN bottlenecks. Itโ€™s open-source and self-hostable, giving you full transparency and control over your network. With built-in Zero Trust, IdP integration, and simple management, NetBird combines security, speed, and ease of use better than traditional VPNs.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

NetBird's answer:

NetBird serves anyone who wants to securely connect devices, users, and applications anywhere in the world without the complexity of traditional VPNs.

Itโ€™s built for DevOps engineers, IT and security professionals, and MSPs managing distributed infrastructure across cloud, hybrid, or on-prem environments.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare speedtest-cli and NetBird

speedtest-cli Reviews

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NetBird Reviews

Self Hosting Like Its 2025
If youโ€™re familiar with Tailscale, youโ€™ll find yourself at ease with NetBird. It acts as a VPN server that handles a WireGuard network on your behalf, significantly reducing complexity. You have the option to self-host or take advantage of their generous free tier on the cloud.
Source: kiranet.org

Social recommendations and mentions

NetBird might be a bit more popular than speedtest-cli. We know about 19 links to it since March 2021 and only 13 links to speedtest-cli. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

speedtest-cli mentions (13)

  • CLI Tools every Developer should know
    Or, you can follow the installation instructions on the official GitHub repository: SpeedTest-CLI Installation Guide. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Routing table confusion, or did Kirkland move to Kansas?
    That's a community cli client https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli rather than the official cli client https://www.speedtest.net/apps/cli. Source: about 3 years ago
  • running script via cron does not provide full output
    If you read the docs for Speedtest-CLI you will see that the program timeouts after 10 seconds. Try using this for default timeout of 1 minute and also redirect errors to the same file. Speedtest-cli --timeout 60 >> /bin/speedtestoutput.txt 2>&1. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Press 'Enter' to Run a SpeedTest (Update v2.5.4) - Self-Hosted SpeedTest - Docker
    Already exists https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli/, mature, stable, packaged in major distributions. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Can I accept license agreements for my end-users?
    I have an open-source software, which can show some stats about your PC/Server. One of those stats is internet speed. I have been using speedtest-cli for now, since it is open-source and runs without having to accept any license agreements. Source: about 4 years ago
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NetBird mentions (19)

  • How I Ditched Datadog and Built a Self-Hosted Monitoring Stack on a $5 VPS
    NetBird creates a WireGuard mesh between your machines. The key feature is Network Routing โ€” one peer acts as a gateway for a whole subnet. So your monitoring stack lives on 172.19.0.0/16, and any connected peer can reach Grafana at http://172.19.0.3:3000 without exposing anything to the internet. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (May 2026)
    NetBird | Berlin, Germany | ONSITE & Remote for some roles | Full-time | https://netbird.io We build open source secure remote access for teams and infrastructure. 25k+ stars, Series A. Our mission: make secure connectivity simple and accessible for everyone. Looking for people excited about the product, startup pace, and growth. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Budget Friendly ISO27001/SOC2 Compliant Environments for AWS
    Some Cloud Native tools have appeared to replace both SSH access and VPNs, among them it is worth mentioning Netbird and Teleport. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Tailscale Peer Relays is now generally available
    Https://netbird.io/ is open source, with a freemium hosted option. Works for us and I find it easier to configure than tailscale for routing rules. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Tailscale Peer Relays is now generally available
    > Also, sometimes it seems like I get rate limited on Tailscale. As I understand it if everything is working properly you should end up with a peer to peer wireguard connection after initial connection using tailscales infrastructure. ie, there should be nothing to rate limit. There are exceptions depending on your network environment where you need one of the relays noted in this post. As for opensource... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing speedtest-cli and NetBird, you can also consider the following products

Fast.com - Quickly test your internet speed with this fast-loading speed test powered by Netflix.

TailScale - Private networks made easy Connect all your devices using WireGuard, without the hassle. Tailscale makes it as easy as installing an app and signing in.

LibreSpeed - Self-hosted Speedtest for HTML5. Easy setup, examples, configurable, mobile friendly.

ZeroTier - Extremely simple P2P Encrypted VPN

SpeedOf.Me - SpeedOf.Me is an HTML5 Internet speed test. No Flash or Java needed!

WireGuard - Fast, Modern, Secure VPN Tunnel