Ethr review
A focused open-source toolkit for active network performance testing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Ethr is an open-source, command-line network measurement tool from Microsoft for assessing active network performance. It is intended for technical teams that need direct measurements across Windows, Linux, and macOS rather than a visual monitoring workspace. Its published capabilities cover bandwidth, connections per second, packets per second, latency, packet loss, jitter, ping, and traceroute-related metrics. Client and server operating modes support controlled testing between endpoints, while selected tests can target external destinations.
Ethr’s main strength is protocol and test coverage. It supports TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, and ICMP, and parallel-session testing can help examine performance under multiple concurrent sessions. Packet loss analysis is part of its category capabilities, and official build instructions cover the supported desktop platforms as well as Docker-based builds. This makes Ethr a practical fit for cross-platform diagnostic work where a command-line workflow and measurable network results are more important than dashboards or packaged integrations.
The trade-off is a focused scope. Ethr does not provide verified integrations or DNS and path visualization features, so teams seeking an integrated observability environment or a visual network-mapping experience should consider another product. Its open-source model also differs from commercial network diagnostic software: the published project information describes official downloads, build instructions, and a v1.0.0 release rather than commercial pricing tiers. Choose Ethr for direct, protocol-aware performance tests across major desktop operating systems; choose an alternative when visual analysis, ecosystem connections, or broader monitoring workflows are central requirements.
Ethr pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Measures bandwidth, connections per second, packets per second, and latency
- Supports TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, and ICMP testing
- Runs in client or server modes across Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Where it doesn't
- Does not provide verified integrations
- Does not include DNS or path visualization features
- Command-line operation may require technical network knowledge
Ethr fact sheet, pricing and score →
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