# Original-FCC Speed Test — user reviews > 56 indexed App Store user reviews of Original by Samknows Limited, rated 3.43/5 from 161 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/original-fcc-speed-test/id794322383/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/original-fcc-speed-test/id794322383.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 70 · 4★ 21 · 3★ 17 · 2★ 14 · 1★ 39 ## Newest reviews (17 of 56) ### 3/5 — 18 Clicks In Order to Run Test *2024-01-12* Would be nice if they had one page with all info you have to agree to instead of clicking thru 18 different checks and OKs before the test is actually run. Especially for the mobile tests… you would think they would make it easy 1-2 clicks and tests are running… but no 18 Also not sure if it’s doing its job correctly but half the time my mobile vehicle tests fail. Not sure if this is just bc Verizon Wireless is terribly slow or nonexistent in my rural area due to “congestion.” ### 3/5 — Cannot record challenges when there is no internet *2023-12-04* The speed test part of this app works well enough. However, it is not possible to collect challenge tests (or open the app at all) when the internet connection is spotty. This defeats the main purpose of the app which is to provide feedback on areas of poor coverage. ### 4/5 — Government got scammed again (update) *2023-11-20* How can you run an accurate speed testing service and ignore IPv6? Sad to see how incompetent the company behind this service is. Update: seems like they finally added v6 endpoints and cellular speeds are much more normal, crazy it was even released without that support ### 4/5 — Unable to save/upload failed tests *2023-03-19* The idea is great, but if I am unable to save/upload a failed test then it kind of defeats the purpose of the app itself. How can I or anyone challenge a coverage maps accuracy if I can’t run a test in an area that claims to have coverage. ### 3/5 — Decent but needs work *2023-02-16* While I love the ability to test and report on mobile broadband speeds, there is more work needed. it would be great to get status on reports filed. And the ability to file speed tests for home Internet broadband would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I keep filing reports, but nothing happens regarding the mobile broadband speeds. ### 2/5 — Was good. Then update. Now worse. *2022-12-21, version 4.3.1* You took an app that worked great, easy to use, and quick; and turned it into a personal data needing clunky dud. What the heck FTC? Why do you need me to login, provide personal info, and provide GPS location just to check the Wi-Fi speed?? Do everyone a favor and roll back to the previous version. Then take whomever designed this one and have security remove them from the building. Pathetic. ### 4/5 — An obvious issue *2022-12-10, version 4.3.1* You can’t load this apps help Contant when you don’t have a signal. That seems pretty silly. Also, it’s not really clear if a test taken with zero signal will be submitted once you have a signal again. Actually, I don’t think it tells you which of your test results have been automatically submitted even when you do have a signal. ### 2/5 — Great until they insist on your personal data *2022-12-09, version 4.3.1* This app was great until the recent update. Once they updated they require your personal data in order to save your test results. No thanks. App deleted. ### 4/5 — Much improved UI *2022-11-19, version 4.3.0* The latest incarnation of the app includes speedier submission time and a more attractive user interface. ### 3/5 — Unknown *2021-07-02, version 4.1.4* Internet connection says unknown… no matter if it’s mobile data or WiFi. Please fix. ### 4/5 — Make Sure ISPs aren’t Faking Speeds *2021-06-02, version 4.1.2* If you’re using data from this app make sure it’s all legit data ### 3/5 — Doesn’t work well for Dual/eSIM devices *2021-05-29, version 4.1.2* When I run speed tests for SIM card network, shows nice speeds. Nice to compare to other apps/tests to learn which apps/services are whitelisted and granted higher priority when a speed test is ran. When running a test with the network that’s on the eSIM, it shows the physical sim, network name. Even when I turn off the physical sim line, still shows it’s name. So the maps/history shows the wrong network for the speeds. ### 3/5 — Clean design, but wrong speed units! *2021-04-29, version 4.1.2* This app isn’t fancy, but it’s outstanding at doing exactly what it needs to do - test your current network speeds, without all the ads, bells and whistles of the other tests. HOWEVER - the app is most definitely reporting the speeds tested as Mbit/s when the actual speed it reports is most definitely MB/s. That fixed, haven’t had any other issues and would absolutely rate 5 stars with that fixed! ### 3/5 — Does not recognize 5G *2021-04-28, version 4.1.2* Works OK but reports higher latency than Ookla and does not recognize that I am on 5G (says 4G). Higher latency on this app may actually be more accurate since Ookla locates it’s test servers on the edge of the operator’s network. ### 2/5 — Test fails every time on Sprint’s network *2021-04-22, version 4.1.2* Fails every time I try on Sprint, but works on WiFi. Props to the developers for including latency and jitter measurements though ### 4/5 — Dark Mode and Hardwire *2021-04-19, version 4.1.2* Can we please have dark mode in this app? It’s 2021 folks, this should be considered basic requirements at this point. Also to get true speed measurements there really needs to be a PC, MAC and Linux version that can be used with a hardwire. I’m sure we can probably devise physical LAN with a mobile device but this requires adapters and probably won’t be as quick. ### 3/5 — Misleading *2021-04-16, version 4.1.2* Speeds not accurate for it pings a FCC server . Your speeds will always be higher. My connection can time out in a bad area and then I run the test and I’m getting 10 up and down. Run a speed test from google and I’m less than 1 up . So FCC , stop catering to corporate bully’s and run a real speed test from multiple servers ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Yikes, started getting porn text messages *2023-01-06, version 4.3.1* Since FCC I thought it safe to give cell phone number for testing speed. What a moron I am! Within 2 minutes I received an unsavory group text. I immediately deleted and reported as junk. Maybe it was a coincidence???? ### 1/5 — Purports to test broadband speeds, but really meant for cellular *2022-12-02, version 4.3.1* Their challenge test claims to be for broadband speeds, but requires a cellular phone number and requires you to certify that you are using that connection. Broadband is not synonymous with mobile, so one star. I like the notion of someone an external third-party monitoring the claims made by the broadband companies, but this app isn’t it. ### 1/5 — New app redesign wiped over a year of my data *2022-11-24, version 4.3.0* The developers wiped all my data, got rid of the map feature, which I had over a year of data on, and there’s no way to revert seemingly. ### 1/5 — Bad app *2022-11-19, version 4.3.0* Finally after a few years of being a really good app they managed to completely ruin the app after the latest upgrade. I will be removing it asap. ### 1/5 — Let’s see how we can make a mediocre app worse *2022-11-19, version 4.3.0* The old app may not have been the best but it was simple to use. I didn’t mind opening it periodically and running a test, all for the greater good. Can’t say the same for this app. To make it worse, how did they figure out how not to support landscape mode. Delete! ### 1/5 — We live in landscape *2022-11-17, version 4.3.0* Well like other app developers, theses people broke the app. I quit, I live in landscape mode you don't. ### 1/5 — Slow test server *2022-11-06, version 4.2.0* The test server are so slow. None of the speed test result from this app is accurate. The FCC should not use these data to make any policy decisions. ### 1/5 — Slow eats battery *2022-05-24, version 4.2.0* Very slow to complete test or change screens. Fairly worthless. Eats battery during test. Tried to write comment but didn’t work. Another government app or website screwup. ### 1/5 — Band Width Caps *2021-04-16, version 4.1.2* I just downloaded this app and opened it up. The first screen I was shown was a white screen with the message Welcome to the FCC speed test We don’t want to be the reason you run out of data this month. To stop that happening we have added a mobile data limit. Under that is one option: “Set data use” There is no other option. Nothing to bypass it or cancel out of it. There’s nothing friendly about this app or about the data cap. Don’t do it...they also haven’t provided details about its privacy practices and handling of our data to Apple. Don’t do it! ### 1/5 — Test Results are not reliable *2021-04-14, version 4.1.2* I ran the FCC Speedtest versus the commercial SpeedTest several times during the same time period. The FCC version reported 1/3 the download speeds, the upload speeds were 10% higher. If you are troubleshooting your internet, I would consider the commercial Speedtest over the FCC. The FCC version is under reporting the results. I don’t understand why it is so far off. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — What even is this app icon? The FCC has a logo. *2024-04-27* Is there some obscure regulation that could be interpreted that placement of FCC logo on an app icon would be misuse? Be bold, forge your own interpretation. The current icon is store-brand; a photo of a thermoprinted shipping label with FCC in Arial would be an improvement. This is not befitting of the world’s leading communications regulator. ### 5/5 — Love it *2022-10-24, version 4.2.0* So I just randomly wanted to test my internet speed. I don't know who is charge of that agency right now, but they get a big point for coming up with the App Developer name. SamKnows. Thats great. I wonder if the NSA use them. ### 5/5 — Exciting Ray of Light from a Government Agency *2021-04-22, version 4.1.2* I am excited to see the FCC taking a measurable step toward improving connectivity for people in the US. The test speeds seem accurate, the privacy policy clear, limiting mobile data is useful, and the test definitions appreciated. As an IT professional, I am aware of a lot of misinformation surrounding latency, packet loss (thank you me the hacker!) and hope this app improves connections for everyone! ### 5/5 — The big 4 are lying about speeds *2021-04-17, version 4.1.2* Help us achieve faster speeds with this data! America needs it... Sweden already is leaps and bounds ahead of the US in network capacity and Speeds. ### 5/5 — Best speed test app I’ve used *2021-04-14, version 4.1.2* No ads! Accurate and quick results. You can set data limits for cellular data tests. It doesn’t do anything fancy but does everything you’d want in an app of this category. Surprising that the FCC would create something this good. ### 5/5 — No ads and it works. *2021-04-13, version 4.1.2* Tried this after reading an article in Review Geek that stated that the FCC will use the data provided to check on providers reported speeds. Sounds good to me and I hope it helps to keep the internet providers honest. Best part for me is it is free with NO ads. ### 5/5 — Speed test with FCC minding the store *2021-04-13, version 4.1.2* This refers to the version of the app released January 2021. The app seems to be transparent about privacy and can be constrained to not use to minimize mobile data. The app is light weight by modern standards, “only,” 35 megabytes. This app seems to give somewhat more optimistic performance ratings than Ookla or Dslreports/speetest. Hmm, maybe ISPs are cooking the books a little to make sure that when Uncle Sam is watching, performance looks better than it would otherwise. This app can’t be faulted for any cooking of the books ISPs might do. It is worthwhile to run this app so Uncle Sam can build an ISP performance database. ### 5/5 — Simple and usable! *2021-04-12, version 4.1.2* Nice to see a straightforward speed test. If it helps compare non-biased performance across the country and different areas, and provides good data to target bandwidth improvements in under-resourced areas. Might be good to add a section in the app to show what data is/isn’t collected by using the app? Especially vs commercial speed test apps. ### 5/5 — Average Speed *2017-09-09, version 1.96* I like this speed test cause it gives you the average of the test results. I really don't care that I got a burst speed of up to such and such for a fraction of a second like the other tests do if it's not going to be representative of actual data usage. ### 5/5 — If you can judge a book by its cover... *2015-11-17, version 1.96* Then this APPEARS to be the best speed test app. Due to the nature of it being an iOS app, I understand we're not gonna get to see a lot under the hood to begin with. While the results and tests SEEM the most realistic and genuine in their reporting, I don't know how any of us could know if it's truly legit. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*