Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Speedtest.net VS Open Shell

Compare Speedtest.net VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Speedtest.net logo Speedtest.net

Test your Internet connection bandwidth to locations around the world with this interactive broadband speed test from Ookla

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...
  • Speedtest.net Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07

Speedtest.net features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Speedtest.net offers a straightforward, visually appealing interface that makes it easy for users of all technical skill levels to measure their internet speed quickly.
  • Global Server Network
    The platform has a vast network of test servers around the world, ensuring accurate results by connecting to the closest server to minimize latency and other external factors.
  • Detailed Results
    Provides comprehensive details including download, upload speeds, and ping, giving users a full picture of their internet performance.
  • Mobile App Availability
    Speedtest.net offers mobile applications for both iOS and Android, allowing users to test their internet speed on various devices.
  • Graphical Data Representation
    The service includes visual representations of speed test data over time, aiding users in understanding their internet performance history.
  • Comparative Data
    Users can compare their results with average speeds for their ISP, city, or country, providing context for their performance.

Possible disadvantages of Speedtest.net

  • Advertisements
    The free version of Speedtest.net includes ads, which can be distracting and potentially slow down the webpage.
  • Limited Free Features
    Advanced features, such as detailed analysis and tracking, are only available in the premium version.
  • Potential Bias Toward ISPs
    Some critics argue that Speedtest.net may show favorable results for certain ISPs due to partnerships and server locations.
  • Data Privacy
    As a third-party service, there are concerns about how user data is collected, stored, and potentially shared with advertisers or partners.
  • Single-Purpose
    Speedtest.net focuses purely on speed testing and doesn't offer broader network diagnostics tools, limiting its utility for more in-depth troubleshooting.
  • Requires Strong Internet for Accurate Results
    In cases of very poor connectivity, the results may not be accurate or the test might fail to complete, leaving users without valuable insights.

Open Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages of Open Shell

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Analysis of Speedtest.net

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Speedtest.net is considered a good tool for testing internet speeds due to its reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive features.

Why this product is good

  • Speedtest.net is a well-known tool for measuring internet connection speeds, providing accurate data on download and upload speeds and ping. It has a large network of testing servers worldwide, which helps in getting reliable results. The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, even for non-technical users. It also offers historical data tracking and is available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile apps, and APIs for integration into other services.

Recommended for

    Individuals who want to check their internet speed quickly and easily, IT professionals who need to diagnose network issues, developers who require speed testing integration into their applications, and businesses that need consistent and reliable network performance assessment.

Analysis of Open Shell

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Speedtest.net videos

No Speedtest.net videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Open Shell videos

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Speedtest.net and Open Shell)
Speed Test
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
LMS
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Speedtest.net seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2938 times since March 2021. 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.net mentions (2938)

  • Streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics: A Developer's Guide to Live Sports IPTV
    Pro tip: Run a speed test immediately before the event. Don't trust your "up to 100 Mbps" ISP claim. Use fast.com or speedtest.net to get real numbers. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Frustrated due to low speeds. Usually 300mbps in the day.
    For starters, disconnect all wireless devices (or just your wireless router if itโ€™s separate from your modem). Hardwire your modem to a computer and use Ookla Speedtest instead of Spectrumโ€™s. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is this good speed?
    Websites like speedtest.net, fast.com and etc do provide measurement in megabits, and even with that, speedtest.net provides it between you and your ISP(mostly) only. So if you want to download something from lets say, YouTube, the speed will be slightly different because now you're connecting to Google's server, not your ISP's server. This is because speedtest.net has partnership with ISPs so that speedtest.net... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Help!!! FPS AND downloading games speeds.
    If fast.com and speedtest.net are fast, then it's not the computer or your internet. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Still trouble shooting
    Hi there. I definitely understand the frustration with slow download speeds. Are you able to run a speed test on speedtest.net to see what results you are getting on that computer? Are you having slow speeds on all devices or just this computer particularly? ^David. Source: over 2 years ago
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Open Shell mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Open Shell yet. Tracking of Open Shell recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Speedtest.net and Open Shell, you can also consider the following products

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

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

Testmy.net - Accurately test your Internet connection speed with this powerful broadband speed test. Improve your bandwidth speed with the truth.

Classic Shell - Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.

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

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.