July 29, 2025

Install and Automate Ookla Speedtest CLI on Ubuntu

Using the Ookla Speedtest CLI to perform speedtest

The Ookla Speedtest CLI lets you run the same speedtest.net benchmarks directly from your terminal. Perfect for servers or automated monitoring.

Install the Ookla CLI

For Ubuntu 24.x/25.x, the standalone binary is the easiest:

cd ~
curl -LO https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-x86_64.tgz # See Note
tar xvf ookla-speedtest-*-linux-x86_64.tgz
sudo mv speedtest /usr/local/bin/

Note

• Download the version supported for your operating system.
  • i386 https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-i386.tgz
  • x86_64 https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-x86_64.tgz
  • armel https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-armel.tgz
  • armhf https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-armhf.tgz
  • aarch64 https://install.speedtest.net/app/cli/ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-linux-aarch64.tgz

Run a Test

speedtest

On first run, type YES to accept the license. Sample output:

   Speedtest by Ookla

      Server: Spectrum - Durham, NC (id: 58326)
         ISP: Spectrum
    Latency: 15.01 ms
   Download: 935.55 Mbps
     Upload: 37.42 Mbps

Automating with Cron

Create a script /usr/local/bin/log-speedtest.sh:

#!/bin/bash
timestamp=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
result=$(speedtest --accept-license --accept-gdpr --format=tsv)
echo "$timestamp  $result" >> /var/log/speedtest.log

Make it executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/log-speedtest.sh

Add to cron:

sudo crontab -e

Example (run daily at 8 AM):

0 8 * * * /usr/local/bin/log-speedtest.sh

View Logs

cat /var/log/speedtest.log

Conclusion

With the Ookla CLI, you can track and log your network performance automatically—without a browser.