Not sure if your network can handle a video stream? This app can help you out

If you are not sure about your network’s ability to stream a video, the Speedtest app can help you out here. The iOS version of the Speedtest app can benchmark your internet’s video streaming quality.

As Ookla explained in the announcement, the service checks general connection metrics like maximum download and upload speeds and latency and is focused specifically on video. The app attempts to stream at a variety of resolutions and then measures their respective load times and buffering.

Ookla pointed out that the new test has been added because a significant amount of our times are spent online for video streaming. While Ookla’s standard speed tests give users a general idea about their overall network bandwidth, network service providers often prioritise video traffic differently from other traffic. 

So this means that the best way to benchmark video streaming performances is to ultimately stream video samples since it cannot be “simulated across a network”, as Ookla pointed out.

For the test, the Speedtest app streams videos at a variety of resolutions and then lists details like your internet connections maximum resolution and video streaming load times. If you are unable to stream a video despite your internet speeds being fast enough to support it, then the app will link to Downdetector to check if that particular service is experiencing any issues or not.

Unfortunately for Android users, the video streaming test is only available for the Speedtest iOS app but Ookla has said that it’s coming to other platforms soon. Speedtest’s video streaming benchmark is available with the service’s latest iOS update, and it comes with a slightly redesigned interface.