Comparison

OpenPacketLoss vs BufferSpeed

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenPacketLoss

Features
Read full description

OpenPacketLoss-Server is a lightweight utility that transforms your computer into a dedicated network testing endpoint. By hosting the server on your own hardware, you can measure the precise quality of the connection between two points on your network, eliminating the unpredictable variables of the public internet. How to Use It Run the Server: Launch the app on a stable PC or laptop—this becomes your "target" device. Connect the Client: Use any OpenPacketLoss client on a different device (such as a phone, tablet, or another PC). Troubleshoot: Start the test to view real-time packet loss, jitter, and latency. Why Run Your Own Server? Testing against a server you control allows you to isolate your hardware. You can instantly determine if connection drops are caused by faulty cables, weak Wi-Fi, or router congestion, or if the issue is actually with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

About

BufferSpeed

This app goes beyond standard speed tests to diagnose network performance issues. It measures latency under load and bufferbloat, providing a grade and explanation to help identify and communicate network problems affecting calls, games, and streams.

Highlights
  • Download and upload speed tests
  • Idle and loaded latency measurement
  • Jitter and packet loss detection
  • Bufferbloat grading (A-F)
  • Test history logging
  • Explanation of latency impact
Features
Read full description

Your speed test says 300 Mbps. Your video call still stutters. Both things are true, and the number is not the problem. Speed is what your connection does when it's idle. What actually breaks calls, games and streams is what happens when the line gets busy: a backup starts, someone uploads a video, a console downloads an update. That's bufferbloat, and an ordinary speed test isn't looking for it. BufferSpeed measures both. WHAT YOU GET Download and upload speed Idle latency and latency under load, the difference is the story Jitter and packet loss A bufferbloat grade from A to F, explained in plain language for calls and games Test history, so you can tell a bad evening from a bad connection WHY LATENCY UNDER LOAD MATTERS A connection that answers in 20 ms when idle and 400 ms when busy will feel broken during exactly the moments you care about, no matter how big the speed number is. Fibre and gigabit connections aren't immune. The delay usually comes from a queue in your own router filling up, not from the speed you're paying for. BufferSpeed shows you the gap, grades it, and explains it in language you can repeat to whoever needs to fix it. BUILT FOR EVIDENCE One bad test proves nothing. Results are saved on your device so you can see whether a problem is constant, only in the evenings, or only on one network. The core connection test doesn't require an account or subscription. Optional account-linked and AI features use online services and may send the data needed to provide them. A linked BufferSpeed account is required to purchase and use AI credits. Anonymous result contributions and diagnostic reporting can be controlled in Settings. This app measures and explains. It doesn't change device or router settings or guarantee a faster connection. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND AI CREDITS Optional Pro, Guardian and Agency subscriptions are available monthly or annually. Current prices appear in Settings under Plan & Subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Restore Purchases is available in the app. AI credit packs of 500, 2,000 and 10,000 credits are separate one-time consumable purchases for a linked BufferSpeed account, not subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://bufferspeed.com/privacy

Screenshots

OpenPacketLoss3 screens
BufferSpeed4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenPacketLoss at none against BufferSpeed's 9. OpenPacketLoss also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. BufferSpeed sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. OpenPacketLoss asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenPacketLoss ships an update fortnightly, BufferSpeed every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
OpenPacketLoss versus BufferSpeed: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenPacketLossBufferSpeed
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVishnu Nampoothiri UKChris Drinkard

In-app purchases

None

OpenPacketLoss

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

BufferSpeed

Subscriptions6
  • Pro - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Guardian Monthly$19.991 Month
  • Agency Monthly$39.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pro - Annual$89.991 Year
  • Guardian Annual$179.991 Year
  • Agency Annual$359.991 Year
One-time3
  • 500 AI Credits$4.99
  • 2,000 AI Credits$14.99
  • 10,000 AI Credits$39.99

Questions

Is OpenPacketLoss free?
OpenPacketLoss is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BufferSpeed free?
BufferSpeed is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OpenPacketLoss or BufferSpeed have ads?
BufferSpeed shows ads; OpenPacketLoss does not.
Which is updated more often, OpenPacketLoss or BufferSpeed?
OpenPacketLoss ships an update fortnightly, and BufferSpeed every 3 weeks. Most recently, OpenPacketLoss was updated on October 25, 2026 and BufferSpeed on October 31, 2026.

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