How to Track ISP Performance on macOS

Monitoring your ISP's performance on macOS is simple and helps ensure you're getting the internet speeds you pay for. Key tools include Activity Monitor for real-time network stats, the networkQuality command in Terminal for speed tests, and third-party apps like PeakHour for advanced insights. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Activity Monitor: View live network traffic (data sent/received, packets).

• networkQuality Command: Test download/upload speeds and latency directly in Terminal.

• PeakHour: Offers detailed bandwidth tracking, latency analysis, and historical data logging.

Pro Tips:

• Use wired connections for accurate testing.

• Test at different times to identify peak usage periods.

• Document results to share with your ISP if issues persist.

For deeper analysis, consider apps like Speedtest for quick results or Wireshark for packet-level insights. These tools help identify issues and confirm your ISP's performance.

Test Your Network Speed On a Mac

Built-in Mac Network Tools

macOS comes equipped with utilities to help you monitor and analyze your internet connection. Here's a closer look at how to use Activity Monitor and Terminal for network insights.

Activity Monitor Network Stats

The Network tab in Activity Monitor offers a live view of your network activity:

• How to access it: Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities), then click the Network tab.

• What it shows:

  • Data sent and received per second

  • Packets in and out per second

  • Total data transferred

  • Overall network activity

You can customize the display to focus on specific metrics:

• Go to View > Columns to add more network stats.

• Enable Dock monitoring by selecting View > Dock Icon > Show Network Usage.

• Switch between Packets and Data views using the pop-up menu.

Network Tests Using Terminal

For deeper analysis of your network's external performance, macOS 12 and later include the networkquality tool.

"The networkquality tool is included with every Mac running macOS 12 and later. This tool provides a variety of stats about your network connection and can help you benchmark your network throughout the day." - Matt Cone, Macinstruct

This command-line tool measures key aspects of your internet connection, such as:

• Upload and download speeds

• Number of data flows for upload and download

• Network responsiveness, measured in RPM (round trips per minute)

How to run a test:

1. Open Terminal.

2. Type networkquality and hit Enter.

The tool connects to Apple's CDN to provide reliable and practical results. RPM, in particular, helps assess your network's stability over time rather than just momentary latency.

While Activity Monitor tracks real-time local usage, networkquality gives you a broader view of how your connection performs externally.

PeakHour Network Monitoring

PeakHour builds on macOS's built-in tools to provide real-time insights into your internet connection. With an easy-to-use interface, it helps you monitor your ISP's performance and overall network health.

PeakHour Main Features

PeakHour brings advanced network monitoring to your fingertips with these features:

• Real-Time Bandwidth Tracking: Keep an eye on upload and download speeds with detailed performance graphs.

• Network Path Analysis: Automatically identifies and tracks the route between your Mac, router, ISP, and the internet.

• Multi-Point Latency: Measures connection quality across various network points for a complete performance overview.

• Menu Bar Metrics: Displays essential network stats directly in your menu bar.

• Detailed Logging: Saves bandwidth and latency data for troubleshooting and historical analysis.

The Internet Dashboard provides a centralized view of your connection's status, showing metrics like bandwidth usage, latency trends, and packet loss. Plus, PeakHour adjusts its monitoring automatically if your network setup changes, such as switching from Wi-Fi to cellular.

PeakHour Setup Guide

Getting started with PeakHour is simple and user-friendly:

1. Initial Configuration
   

   The First Time Setup wizard automatically detects your network layout and configures monitoring points for you.

2. Dashboard Customization
   

   After installation, you can personalize the dashboard to focus on the metrics that matter most to you.

3. Monitor Configuration
   

   PeakHour automatically monitors local network interfaces. For advanced users, it supports UPnP and SNMP protocols for deeper insights.

"When having intermittent internet connection issues, this really helped understand the problems … This should really be part of Activity Monitor!" - @bink00

PeakHour Pricing Options

PeakHour offers two pricing plans to suit different needs:

"You know exactly what is going on with your internet connection from up to the second 'pings' to connecting to your router with bandwidth info. Beautiful and informative." - @Go_habs_go

PeakHour's seamless integration with macOS and automatic network detection make it a powerful tool for users at any skill level. Ready to take your network monitoring to the next level? Stay tuned for more tools to help you analyze your ISP's performance.

Additional Speed Test Tools

Expand your testing capabilities beyond built-in tools and PeakHour by exploring specialized apps designed for more precise speed testing.

Speedtest Mac App Overview

The Speedtest app offers an easy way to measure your internet performance with accurate tests for:

• Download speed

• Upload speed

• Latency (ping)

• Jitter

• Packet loss

To ensure reliable results:

• Connect via Ethernet whenever possible.

• Close bandwidth-heavy applications during testing.

• Run tests at different times of the day.

• Keep a record of your test results for comparison.

The app's toolbar integration lets you run quick tests directly. For a deeper dive into network details, consider pairing it with Wireshark.

Wireshark for Advanced Network Analysis

While Speedtest provides a broad overview of your connection, Wireshark goes a step further by analyzing network traffic at the packet level. It captures and inspects data packets to identify bottlenecks and troubleshoot connection issues.

For interactive applications, ideal latency is typically just a few milliseconds to a few tens of milliseconds, while RPM (Round-Trip Packet Metrics) helps measure responsiveness.

Wireshark is especially useful for:

• Diagnosing intermittent connection problems

• Checking Quality of Service (QoS) configurations

• Understanding how network protocols behave

• Documenting ISP performance issues

For a comprehensive view of your network performance, use networkQuality alongside Wireshark to combine high-level metrics with detailed packet analysis.

Fix Common ISP Issues

Solve internet problems on your Mac by determining if the issue lies with your ISP or your local network.

Network Equipment Checks

• Modem Check: Access your modem's admin settings to ensure connection lights are steady, signal strength is normal, and logs show no errors.

• Router Diagnostics: Log into your router to confirm devices are connected, firmware is up-to-date, and no errors are logged.

• Inspect Cables: Examine all cables for damage, secure loose connections, and use Cat 5e or higher Ethernet cables for gigabit speeds.

Speed Tests Across Devices

Run the networkQuality command in macOS for accurate network performance data. Once you've tested across devices, organize your findings to share with your ISP.

Preparing for ISP Support

After completing hardware and device tests, gather the following for your ISP:

• Performance Metrics: Include screenshots, ping test results, timestamps, and compare speeds to your service plan.

• Technical Info: Be ready with:

  • macOS version

  • Router model and firmware version

  • Modem details

  • Recent changes to your network setup

  • Steps you've already taken to troubleshoot

"The networkquality tool is included with every Mac running macOS 12 and later. This tool provides a variety of stats about your network connection and can help you benchmark your network throughout the day." - Matt Cone, Macinstruct

Conclusion: Mac ISP Monitoring Tips

Keep tabs on your ISP's performance on macOS by combining tools like PeakHour, which provides real-time insights on bandwidth, latency, and router stats, with macOS system utilities.

Here’s a quick look at the tools you’ll need:

These tools work smoothly alongside macOS utilities, offering a comprehensive approach to monitoring.

"PeakHour offers incredible bandwidth tracking at an absurdly low price for the household and small-business network administrator."

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your monitoring setup:

• Use wired connections for more accurate testing.

• Set up latency monitors to keep an eye on connection quality.

• Monitor your data usage to avoid exceeding caps.

• Configure alerts to catch potential issues early.

FAQs

How can I run accurate internet speed tests on my macOS device?

To get the most accurate results when testing your internet speed on macOS, use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, as wireless connections can be less stable and introduce variability. Ensure no other devices or apps are consuming bandwidth during the test.

You can monitor your connection using built-in tools like Activity Monitor or third-party apps like PeakHour to track speed, latency, and stability. These tools help you identify potential issues and ensure your ISP is delivering the performance you’re paying for.

What’s the difference between using Activity Monitor, networkQuality, and PeakHour to monitor ISP performance on macOS?

Activity Monitor offers a simple way to view your Mac’s network activity, helping you determine if slowdowns are caused by a specific app, your Mac, or the network. The networkQuality tool, included in macOS Monterey and later, provides a more detailed test of your internet by measuring upload/download speeds, responsiveness, and connection quality.

PeakHour, on the other hand, goes beyond your Mac by displaying real-time bandwidth usage from your entire network. It can pull data directly from routers and modems, providing a broader view of your ISP’s performance and helping you spot issues across all connected devices.

How can I use the data from macOS tools to report internet issues to my ISP?

To report internet issues to your ISP effectively, start by collecting data using macOS tools like Activity Monitor, iStat Menus, or speed testing utilities. Document specific issues such as slow speeds, high latency, or dropped connections, and include details like the time and date these problems occurred, along with the results of your tests.

When contacting your ISP, present this information clearly and concisely. For example, mention patterns you've noticed (e.g., slower speeds during certain hours) and share any relevant metrics. This detailed data will help your ISP diagnose and resolve the issue more efficiently.