Netflix Speed Test: Fast.com vs ScanPings Explained
If you've ever run a test on Fast.com and then got a completely different number on another site, you aren't alone. Speed test results can be confusing, but there is a technical reason for the gap.
⚡ The Key Difference
Fast.com specifically tests your ISP's ability to reach Netflix servers. ScanPings tests your connection to Cloudflare's global edge. Because some ISPs prioritize (or throttle) Netflix traffic differently than general data, the numbers rarely match perfectly.
What is Fast.com?
Launched by Netflix in 2016, Fast.com is designed for one thing: ease of use. It uses Netflix's Open Connect content delivery network (CDN) to measure your download speed. By using the same servers that stream your movies, it gives you a "clean" look at your streaming potential.
What is ScanPings (Powered by Cloudflare)?
ScanPings uses the Cloudflare Speed Test engine. Cloudflare is one of the world's largest networks, sitting in front of millions of websites, APIs, and gaming servers.
Testing with ScanPings reflects how the entire internet will perform for you—from joining a Zoom call to downloading a game on Steam or browsing a news site.
Why Results Differ
- Server Proximity: Fast.com nodes might be located in your ISP's data center, while ScanPings might hit a public exchange point.
- ISP Throttling: Some ISPs limit Netflix speeds during peak hours to save bandwidth, which Fast.com will catch immediately.
- Traffic Shaping: Certain types of data (like encrypted streaming packets) are handled differently than standard web data.
Which Test Should You Trust?
It depends on what you are doing:
Use Fast.com when...
- • You are diagnosing Netflix buffering.
- • You want a 2-second "is my internet on" check.
- • You only care about download speed.
Use ScanPings when...
- • You are gaming (needs Ping & Jitter).
- • You are working remotely (needs Upload speed).
- • You want to see "Loaded Latency" (Bufferbloat).
Does Netflix Speed Matter for Gaming?
Not really. A test like Fast.com usually ignores Latency (Ping) and Jitter, which are the most important metrics for gamers. You can have a "Fast" 500 Mbps download but a "Broken" 150ms ping. ScanPings provides the full diagnostic suite to ensure you have both speed and stability.
Get the Full Picture
Fast.com only shows you one slice of the pie. Get your Upload, Ping, and Jitter results in 60 seconds.
Start Full Diagnostic →Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Fast.com?
Fast.com is owned and operated by Netflix. It was created to provide users with a simple way to see if their internet connection is fast enough to stream Netflix content without buffering.
Why is Fast.com different from other speed tests?
Fast.com measures the connection between your device and Netflix's own content delivery servers (Open Connect). Other tests, like ScanPings, measure your connection to a broader range of global servers (Cloudflare), giving a better picture of "general" internet speed.
How much speed do I need for Netflix 4K?
According to Netflix, you need a stable 25 Mbps connection for Ultra HD (4K) quality. For High Definition (1080p), you need 5 Mbps. For Standard Definition (480p), 3 Mbps is sufficient.
Is ScanPings more accurate than Fast.com?
Both are accurate for their specific purposes. Fast.com is perfect for checking if Netflix will buffer. ScanPings is better for general browsing, gaming, and professional work because it tests across Cloudflare's massive global network, which handles ~20% of all internet traffic.