Doug Suttles, the original founder of Speedtest.net and former CEO of Ookla, is back with a fresh take on how we monitor internet performance. While Speedtest revolutionized the way we check download and upload speeds, Suttles believes that internet quality goes far beyond just raw speed. That belief led to the creation of his new venture — an app called Orb.
Launched in collaboration with fellow former Ookla executive Jamie Steven, Orb provides a more well-rounded analysis of your internet connection. The app evaluates speed, of course, but also digs into crucial factors like latency, jitter, and packet loss. These elements together determine the consistency and overall health of your network, offering a clearer picture of real-world performance.
“Speed tests are like a warning light in your car that flashes after damage is already done,” Suttles explained. “We wanted to give users a full dashboard view — something that identifies problems before they cause issues.”
Orb monitors three core areas:
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Responsiveness, measuring latency, lag, and jitter.
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Reliability, tracking how consistent your connection is over time.
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Speed, measuring traditional download and upload rates.
These measurements are collected in real time and over extended periods — from one minute to 24 hours — and then combined into a single “Orb Score.” A score above 80 means your connection is stable, 70 to 80 suggests a decent experience, and anything below that signals noticeable performance problems.
The app also recommends specific steps to improve your connection if your score drops, using large language models (LLMs) to explain what might be wrong and how to fix it.
Orb is available across major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Enthusiasts can even install it on devices like Raspberry Pi, Docker, Steam Deck, and older phones to continuously monitor their networks.
A unique upcoming feature will allow users to set up an Orb remotely for someone else — helpful for friends or family needing tech support. Both parties will get alerts if the connection dips.
Currently free to use, Orb plans to generate revenue by licensing its technology to businesses and internet providers. Backed by $3.8 million in funding from Sidekick Ventures and several tech industry veterans, Orb is also developing service-specific diagnostics to check connectivity for platforms like Netflix, Google Drive, or Zoom.
