iperf3 vs Tessabyte

iperf3 is a free command-line network measurement tool that reports achievable IP-network bandwidth, throughput, loss, and related results. It includes client and server functions for TCP, UDP, and SCTP tests, with adjustable timing, protocol, and buffer settings. Client or server output can be emitted as JSON, including line-delimited JSON for real-time parsing, and a library version can be embedded in other programs. The project uses a three-clause BSD license and lists Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS as its officially supported platforms. Windows is not officially supported; its FAQ points users with Windows problems toward iperf2. ESnet supplies source distributions rather than binary packages and recommends checking SHA256 checksums. iperf3 began as a perfSONAR bandwidth tester, its primary user base. It is not backwards compatible with the original iperf. Version 3.22 was released September 29, 2026.

Tessabyte measures performance on wired and wireless networks, including speed, packet loss, and jitter. Listed uses include Wi-Fi speed tests, network capacity tests, link quality analysis, stress tests, QoS assessment, and SLA verification. It tests across LAN and Wi-Fi using IPv4, IPv6, TCP, and UDP. Results can chart uplink and downlink speeds, packet loss, and jitter; users can customize payloads and generate reports. The software has client and server components, and multiple clients can connect to one server. The server component is free and can be installed on unlimited Windows, macOS, or Linux machines. Its evaluation version is fully functional for 30 days from first execution. Client licenses are one-time purchases: the 1-user license is $39 as a one-time purchase, and licenses are also listed for three, five, ten, and 25 users. Each Windows or macOS client user license allows installation on up to three personal machines, and one license is required per user. Purchases include technical support and software updates for one year; the license remains usable afterward, with upgrades available separately. Tessabyte is self-hosted, and its maker describes it as intended for professionals who have outgrown iPerf.