NetSpeedMonitor is a simple and small tool that helps you see your internet speed right on your Windows taskbar without having to open a new window. This minimalistic way of showing download and upload speeds has won the hearts of people who want things fast, clear, and without taking much of their system’s power.
Even though the program was discontinued several years ago, thousands of Windows users are still keen on downloading NetSpeedMonitor. It’s pretty straightforward. The app works just as advertised. It shows you the network activity live and keeps the information on your screen at all times—no need to open any extra windows or panels with this app.
If you are using Windows, especially Windows 7, 8, and with some tweaks even the latest versions, you will probably find that NetSpeedMonitor is a convenient and efficient tool. It is hardly noticeable on the taskbar and doesn’t add any unnecessary visual noise. And if you are a user who is managing a limited data plan or your connection is not very stable, then having such a feature visible at a glance can undoubtedly be a lifesaver.
Another thing worth mentioning is that NetSpeedMonitor hardly pulls any juice from a computer’s resources, which makes it perfect for an old Windows computer. People who do not want to put up with the installation of some bloated monitoring suites are the ones who usually go for this USP of the tool.
Main Features of NetSpeedMonitor
Among the feature list, there are several that the software is still capable of keeping up with the current demands. The one that clearly outshines others is a real-time bandwidth monitoring feature that allows users to get constantly updated upload and download speeds in KB/s or MB/s without any delay at all.
Another feature that can be considered quite handy is network interface selection, and through this functionality, it is possible to handpick the particular one that you want to monitor.
As a matter of fact, it helps detect the different networking scenarios of a Windows system equipped with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and virtual adapters.
On top of that, the program has incorporated the ability to offer basic network traffic stats. In other words, you can check a data session’s traffic volume without being bombarded with complex diagrams.
Customization would hardly be an alien concept here as well: You are given the option to change the fonts, colors, and location so that it fits well with the Windows taskbar’s style. This way, you have the display highly visible regardless of whether you are using a light or dark mode.
NetSpeedMonitor is merged into the Windows taskbar, not pinned aside or interrupting your work. This layout is suitable both for those working in offices and at home, for professional gamers and streamers. They can all check the speed easily while doing their respective activities the whole time.
Is NetSpeedMonitor Still Suitable for Today’s Windows Systems?
NetSpeedMonitor is still a workable solution for some people, pointing out limitations that come with it. First of all, it is not updated and therefore lacks official support for Windows versions 10 and 11. Nevertheless, most people use and enjoy running it with the assistance of compatibility mode. In fact, the software executes its basic monitoring very stably.
NetSpeedMonitor is an extremely straightforward bandwidth usage meter, and you can always rely on it if that is what you want.
This app refuses advertisements, subscriptions, or being burdened with features that only serve the map. Such a simplistic approach attracts mainly those who want power over a single aspect rather than getting overwhelmed with dashboards.
Security-wise, users should always be prudent and ensure downloading the program from a reliable source only. Given that it is no longer being developed, it is essential to double-check if the installer is what you require. The product, after being installed, usually runs silently and is very non-intrusive.
For those Windows users who want something clean and straightforward on the taskbar to display their internet speed, NetSpeedMonitor is still good enough in a way that it really does the job instantly and effectively, albeit not being able to provide you with comprehensive network stats and analytics.