When using a Windows PC, sometimes monitoring your internet speed is crucial for both casual users and professionals. NetSpeedTray, a lightweight, open-source network monitor for Windows, offers a seamless way to track upload and download speeds right from your taskbar. It is available both as a setup installer and as a portable Windows application.
Lightweight and Resource-Friendly
NetSpeedTray is designed to be unobtrusive, sitting quietly in your system tray without draining your computer’s resources. Its “Dynamic Update Rate” feature is a standout, automatically reducing update frequency when your network is idle. This conserves CPU power and battery life, making it ideal for laptops and low-spec systems. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working, NetSpeedTray ensures minimal impact on performance while keeping you informed.
Seamless Windows Integration
One of NetSpeedTray’s biggest strengths is its native integration with Windows 10 and 11. The widget blends perfectly with your taskbar, adapting to light or dark themes for optimal visibility. It intelligently positions itself next to the system tray, shifting to avoid overlapping with other icons. When you use a fullscreen app or the auto-hiding taskbar, NetSpeedTray hides instantly, reappearing when needed. This polished behavior makes it feel like a built-in Windows feature.
Smart Network Monitoring
NetSpeedTray simplifies network monitoring with its “Auto” mode, which intelligently identifies your primary internet connection, filtering out noise from VPNs or virtual adapters. You can also manually select specific interfaces or monitor all network activity. The tool provides accurate, real-time speed readings, displayed in customizable units like B/s, KB/s, or Mbps. This flexibility ensures you get the data you need in the format you prefer.
Customizable and User-Friendly
Customization is at the heart of NetSpeedTray. You can unlock the widget for free movement across your screen or enable a mini-graph to visualize recent network activity with adjustable opacity. Color-coding options let you set thresholds for high or low speeds, making it easy to spot network performance at a glance. Users can fine-tune fonts, text alignment, and decimal precision for a personalized experience. The modern settings interface is intuitive, allowing you to tweak every aspect effortlessly.
Powerful History Graph
For those who want deeper insights, NetSpeedTray’s history graph is a game-changer. Double-click the widget to access a detailed, filterable graph of your network activity. Its dynamic logarithmic scale highlights both low-level traffic and major spikes, ensuring clarity. You can isolate data for specific adapters (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN) and export it as a CSV file for analysis or save the graph as a high-quality PNG. The database is optimized to save space, with an accidental-deletion grace period for added safety.
Conclusion
NetSpeedTray is a brilliantly crafted tool that brings essential network monitoring to your Windows taskbar. Its lightweight design, seamless integration, and robust customization options make it a standout utility. Whether you’re a casual user or a network enthusiast, NetSpeedTray delivers real-time insights with minimal fuss. By combining smart features like dynamic updates and a powerful history graph with an open-source ethos, it’s a tool that feels like it belongs in Windows. D
You can download NetSpeedTray from https://github.com/erez-c137/NetSpeedTray.