Orb Redefines Internet Speed Testing with Holistic Network Insights

Internet speed tests have long been the go-to solution for diagnosing slow connections, but they often fall short by focusing solely on download and upload speeds. Enter Orb, a fresh take on network diagnostics developed by the creators of Ookla, the company behind the popular Speedtest app. Orb shifts the focus from raw speed to a more comprehensive understanding of your home network’s health, emphasizing responsiveness and reliability.

Why Responsiveness Matters More Than Speed Alone

Orb’s co-founder Doug Suttles explains that while traditional speed tests measure throughput, Orb prioritizes responsiveness metrics such as lag, latency, jitter, and packet loss. These factors directly impact real-world internet experiences like video calls, gaming, and streaming, where consistent performance matters more than peak speeds. For many users, especially those in rural areas, connection reliability is the real challenge—not just how fast the internet can theoretically go.

Jamie Steven, Orb’s president and co-founder, shares how his rural home’s internet often dropped despite decent speeds. This highlights a common misconception: internet plans boasting high maximum speeds don’t guarantee a smooth, uninterrupted connection. Orb’s continuous measurement approach captures these fluctuations, providing a clearer picture of your network’s day-to-day performance.

How Orb Works Differently

Orb runs continuous speed and responsiveness tests using multiple connected devices, or "orbs," throughout your home. This multi-device setup allows for simultaneous monitoring in different rooms, capturing a comprehensive view of your network’s performance. Importantly, Orb’s tests use a minimal data payload—around 10MB—making it suitable even for bandwidth-sensitive environments like rural internet connections.

Unlike many speed tests, Orb requires downloading an app rather than running in a browser. This design choice supports its continuous monitoring capabilities and multi-device integration. Users can also set up dedicated devices, such as a Raspberry Pi, to act as always-on sensors, providing 24/7 network insights.

Orb rates your internet connection on a simple 0 to 100 scale, making it easy to interpret performance at a glance. This user-friendly approach helps consumers quickly identify issues and understand their network’s health without wading through technical jargon or ads.

Looking Ahead: Community-Driven Network Diagnostics

Orb’s founders envision the app evolving into a "recipe engine," where users and developers can create and share custom tests tailored to specific applications or services like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom. This community-driven approach could transform how we measure internet connectivity, focusing on real-world usability rather than abstract metrics.

Additionally, Orb plans to introduce features that allow users to access historical data locally, enhancing troubleshooting without relying on cloud connectivity. This respects user privacy while providing valuable insights into network trends over time.

As internet costs rise and connectivity becomes more critical, tools like Orb offer a smarter way to diagnose and improve your home network. Instead of chasing higher speeds alone, understanding responsiveness and reliability can lead to a better, more consistent online experience.

Orb’s free, ad-free, and user-friendly design makes it accessible to anyone eager to take control of their internet quality. Whether you’re a rural user battling inconsistent connections or a tech enthusiast wanting detailed network insights, Orb offers a fresh perspective on what it means to have a "good" internet connection.