LibreSpeed

LibreSpeed is a free, lightweight speed-test application for measuring download and upload rates, ping, and jitter. It runs in a browser and supports Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. The project lists support for IE11, current Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and mobile browsers. Telemetry and result sharing are optional, and tests can select from multiple configured points by choosing the one with the lowest ping.

A separate stability test reports current, average, minimum, and maximum latency, along with jitter, failed-request percentage, threshold alerts, and CSV export. It can check a local backend, configured test points, or Google, Cloudflare, and Apple. Self-hosting uses a web server and PHP 5.4 or newer, though other backends are available. Optional result storage supports MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. LibreSpeed also provides an Android client template, a command-line client, and a .NET library distributed through NuGet. The project lists HTTP, HTTPS, and ICMP support and API access.

LibreSpeed combines basic speed measurements with a separate stability test and several self-hosting options. Its optional telemetry and sharing, along with the listed telemetry fields, are worth considering before use.

LibreSpeed suits people who want browser-based connection measurements or need to host a speed test themselves. Its stability test, multiple backend options, and client tools may also suit administrators and developers.

Overview

LibreSpeed is a free, open-source network speed test that runs in a browser or on infrastructure you host yourself. It is best suited to people who want basic transfer measurements plus a closer look at connection stability, and who are comfortable with a configurable, self-hosted setup.

Its appeal is the combination of download and upload readings with a dedicated stability test; its main trade-off is that running your own instance requires a web server and backend setup.

Key features

The core test measures download, upload, ping, and jitter. When multiple test points are configured, LibreSpeed can select the one with the lowest ping, avoiding a manual server choice. The project says it supports IE11, current Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and mobile browser versions.

The separate stability test tracks current, average, minimum, and maximum latency, jitter, failed-request percentage, and threshold alerts, with CSV export. It can check the local backend, configured test points, or Google, Cloudflare, and Apple. This makes it more useful for investigating consistency over time than a speed test alone, although the reported measures center on latency and request reliability rather than a broad network diagnosis.

Telemetry and result sharing are optional. The official demo says telemetry may store a test ID, time, results, IP address, ISP, approximate location, user agent, browser locale, and test log. The privacy policy says collected data is not disclosed to third parties and can be deleted when the test ID or IP address is provided. Those controls are useful, but operators should consider the range of potentially retained data before enabling telemetry.

Pricing

LibreSpeed’s Free and Open Source plan costs nothing and is self-hosted; no paid plans are listed. That makes it a strong fit for individuals and operators able to provide their own hosting, with no subscription cost. The trade-off is operational: installation uses a web server such as Apache, nginx, or IIS and PHP 5.4 or newer, though other backends are available.

Optional result storage integrates with MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Go and Rust backend implementations are available; the Node.js implementation is partial and currently not recommended. A Docker image is built weekly with updated ipinfo data and PHP security patches, and the project recommends using the latest image.

Platforms

LibreSpeed supports web, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Alongside browser access, the project provides an Android client template, a command-line client, and a .NET client library distributed through NuGet. HTTP, HTTPS, and ICMP protocol support broadens its usefulness for network testing, while the variety of deployment choices favors users comfortable managing software components.

Who it's for

Choose LibreSpeed if you want a no-cost speed test you can host and configure, particularly when latency variation matters as much as peak download or upload rates. It also suits operators who want optional result storage and control over whether telemetry and sharing are enabled. It is a weaker fit for someone seeking a turnkey managed service without server administration.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Measures download, upload, ping, and jitter, with automatic selection among configured test points based on lowest ping.
• Pros: The stability test adds latency ranges, jitter, failed-request percentage, threshold alerts, and CSV export.
• Pros: Free and open source, with multiple backend choices and optional database integrations for self-hosting.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires a web server and backend setup, so it is not the simplest option for users who want a ready-made hosted test.
• Cons: Telemetry may include IP address, approximate location, ISP, browser details, and a test log; users should weigh that scope before opting in.

Alternatives

Compare network testing software if you want to explore tools beyond speed testing.

• PingPlotter is worth considering for monitoring with a free tier limited to one connection, no remote collection, and 10-minute monitoring history.
• iPerf2 is another free option for readers focused on its compile-time feature set, permit-key access gating, server-side latency histograms, and UDP L4S support.
• OpenSpeedTest may suit users seeking a free HTML5 speed test with an embed widget for personal and commercial use.
• M-Lab NDT is an alternative whose hosted tests are open source and created and maintained by researchers.
• Tessabyte is a paid alternative with a free plan and trial, with a 1-user license priced at $39, paid once.
• Cisco ThousandEyes is a paid alternative for readers comparing commercial network tools.
• Mininet is a free option for Linux-based network emulation, with a Linux kernel requirement and capacity limited by one server’s CPU and bandwidth.
• TRex is a free open-source Linux application for readers whose hardware and NICs meet its requirements.

Verdict

LibreSpeed is a good choice for technically capable users who want a free, self-hosted speed test with a separate stability view and flexible backend options. Choose it for control and useful latency detail; look elsewhere if you need a managed setup without server administration.