This section covers the quick, occasional checks you might need when you just want to know what is going on with your connection or a website. You will find tools for testing your internet speed, checking whether a site is down for everyone or just you, seeing your public IP address, and even seeing where a plane is right now. Each destination listed here is free to use in your browser, and none of them require you to create an account or enter a card.
Speedtest by Ookla
For a general internet speed check, Speedtest by Ookla is the most widely recognised option. It measures your download and upload speeds, and it also shows your ping. The free version runs entirely in your browser and is straightforward: you press a button, it finds a nearby server, and it gives you a result in under a minute. The page does not ask for an account or a card to run a test, and it works globally. It is the best first stop if you want a standard, familiar reading of your connection's performance.
Fast.com
If you want a speed test with zero fuss, Fast.com is the simplest option. It is a single page that starts testing the moment it loads. There are no buttons to press, no settings to fiddle with, and no account to make. It just shows your download speed in big numbers. It works on any device with a browser, and it is useful when you want a quick, no-nonsense answer without any extra features cluttering the screen. It is not the tool for detailed diagnostics, but for a fast "is my connection roughly what it should be?" check, it is perfect.
CNMC’s Official Speed Test (Spain)
If you are in Spain, the CNMC’s official speed test is the one to use. This is run by the Spanish telecom regulator, so it is a public service rather than a commercial one. It is completely free and has no adverts. It measures your real connection quality, which is useful if you want to compare what your provider claims you should get with what you actually receive. It is only for connections in Spain, so if you are elsewhere, it will not be much use. But for residents, it is the most authoritative option because it comes from the government body that oversees telecoms.
HostCry Is It Down
When a website will not load, you need to know if it is down for everyone or just for you. HostCry offers a checker that tests a public URL from 114 different countries. You type in the address, and it tells you whether the site is reachable from those locations. It is completely free, and it does not require an account or a credit card. This is the tool to use when you suspect a site is having problems and you want to confirm it is not something on your end.
CheckWebs
For a quick single-site status check, CheckWebs gives you live HTTP status, response time, and basic diagnostics. It is a simpler tool than HostCry, but it does the job if you just want to know whether a site is up and how fast it responds. No account is needed to run a check. It is a good second option if HostCry feels like overkill for a simple "is this site alive?" question.
Flightradar24
For live aircraft and airport tracking, Flightradar24 and track flights on a live map are the destinations. The free versions include aircraft and airport tracking, search, basic map settings, and limited 3D views. They are ad-supported, so you will see adverts, but you do not need an account to watch planes move across the map. They work globally. If you just want to know where a particular flight is, or what is flying overhead, these are the places to go. The free tiers are enough for casual use; you do not need to pay for anything unless you want more advanced features like weather overlays or extended history.
How to Choose Between Them
The right tool depends on what you are trying to do. If you want to check your internet speed, start with Speedtest by Ookla for a standard reading. If you want the quickest possible answer, use Fast.com. If you are in Spain and want an official measurement, use the CNMC test. For website outages, HostCry is the most thorough because it checks from many countries. CheckWebs is fine for a quick single-site check. For flights, Flightradar24 is the only real option on this list. There is no single service that does all four tasks, so pick the one that matches your immediate need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to use any of these tools?
None of the tools listed here require an account for basic use. Speedtest by Ookla, Fast.com, the CNMC test, HostCry, CheckWebs, and Flightradar24 all work without signing up. You can just open the page and use it.
Will any of these services ask for my credit card?
No. The free versions of these services do not ask for a payment card. They are either ad-supported, publicly funded, or simply free to use. You can run a speed test or check a website status without entering any payment details.
Which speed test is the most accurate?
For a general reading, Speedtest by Ookla is a solid choice because it is widely used and has many servers worldwide. If you are in Spain, the CNMC test is more authoritative because it is run by the regulator. Fast.com is accurate but only shows download speed, so it is less useful for a full picture.
Can I check if a website is down from another country?
Yes. HostCry checks a URL from 114 different countries, so you can see if a site is reachable from elsewhere. This is useful for determining whether an outage is local to your region or widespread.
Is Flightradar24 free to use?
Yes, the basic version is free. It includes live tracking, search, and basic map settings. It is ad-supported, so you will see adverts, but you do not need to pay or create an account to track flights.
The guides in this section
Each one takes a single question from the list above and answers it properly.
- What Is My IP Address, and What Does It Reveal?
- How to Test Your Internet Speed Properly
- How to Check Whether a Website Is Down for Everyone
- How to Track a Flight Free
This section is one part of Free Online Tools That Answer One Question.
