WiFi Analyzer — Improving WiFi Performance

What Is Wi-Fi Analysis?

Wi-Fi analysis is the process of examining and optimizing a wireless network to ensure smooth and efficient performance. It's like a health check-up for your Wi-Fi, and it's performed using a tool known as a Wi-Fi analyzer. In an age where a wireless router is almost as essential as running water, WiFi analysis helps keep the digital traffic flowing.

To understand why WiFi analysis is so important, it's necessary to know how the WiFi spectrum is organized, especially when it comes to the common 2.4 GHz radio band.

This 2.4 GHz radio band is divided into multiple channels, much like the lanes on a highway. In North America, the 2.4 GHz radio band is divided into exactly 11 channels, with channels 1, 6, and 11 being the only channels that don't overlap with other channels.

In theory, 11 channels should provide plenty of room for all users, but in reality, many people never change the default configuration of their wireless router, leading to a situation where too many routers transmit data on the same channel.

Imagine a busy road where everyone is trying to drive in the same lane — it's going to lead to congestion, delays, and frustration. The same thing happens with WiFi, and that's where WiFi analysis comes in.

The situation is further complicated by the presence of 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. While far more immune to signal interference than the 2.4 GHz band, these newer and less used bands have a shorter range and less ability to penetrate walls and solid objects, so they often provide insufficient coverage and speeds.

Utilizing a wireless network analyzer, WiFi analysis can reveal which channels are used the least, allowing you to switch to a less crowded part of the spectrum. You can also create a heatmap of your area to see exactly where your WiFi signal is strong and where it could use some improvement.

What Does High-Performing WiFi Look Like?

Many people who learn how to use a WiFi analyzer are interested in setting up a high-performing WiFi network, but how does such a network look like? Here are a few important characteristics of a high-performing WiFi network:

• Flawless coverage: A high-performing network should cover the intended area without leaving any signal weak spots where common online activities, such as streaming movies, browsing the web, or video chatting, are impossible to perform. A wireless analyzer can be used to create a coverage heatmap that clearly highlights all areas of signal weakness, making it easy to adjust the placement of the router, the position of its antennas, or the arrangement of interference-emitting appliances.
• Sufficient capacity: Sometimes referred to as bandwidth, capacity determines how many people can use the WiFi network at the same time without experiencing a significant degradation in performance. Modern routers that support the latest WiFi standards have far greater capacity than old 802.11g routers, whose capacity is limited to about 22 Mbit/s. In high-usage scenarios, it’s often necessary to deploy multiple access points to provide sufficient capacity, which is where mesh networks come in, making it possible to cover a very large area with a single WiFi network broadcasted by a large number of access points.
• Great speeds: Ideally, you want your WiFi network to deliver the same download and upload speeds as a wired Ethernet connection. If you’re paying for a 100 Mbit/s internet connection, you should be able to reach the maximum speed from any part of your apartment, house, or office. Modern routers use technologies such as MU-MIMO (multi-user multiple-input multiple-output) and beamforming to enhance signal strength and ensure a speedy wireless connection to the internet.
• Uninterrupted connectivity: High-performing WiFi networks should also offer an excellent user experience, and uninterrupted connectivity is an essential part of it. When going from room to room, the last thing you want is for your WiFi connection to drop for a few seconds because you left the range of one WiFi network and entered within the range of another one. Mesh networks solve this problem by wirelessly connecting together multiple routers (called nodes), arranging them in a mesh topology. Modern mesh WiFi systems are so easy to set up that even complete beginners can get them up and running in just a few minutes.
• State-of-the-art security: No WiFi network will maintain its performance unless it’s secured with a strong password and robust encryption. Unsecured networks are a very common target of hackers, who don’t hesitate to take advantage of any opportunity to steal sensitive information and use it for their own personal gain. A WiFi signal analyzer can tell you if your WiFi network is using the latest security standard (WPA3), and you can also use it to determine how secure are other networks in your location.

What Is the Best WiFi Analyzer App?

A WiFi analyzer can be an invaluable tool for diagnosing problems and optimizing your wireless network. You can use a WiFi analyzer app to improve the speed and reliability of your network. There are many apps from which to choose, so what features should you look for? A good wireless analyzer app should be able to do several things.

To start with, it should quickly detect all nearby wireless networks and gather enough information about them. At the very least, the app should be able to retrieve network names, also known as Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs), security settings, and signal strength data.

Some of the more feature-packed WiFi analyzers also come with heatmapping functionality, which allows you to capture signal strength data on a map to reveal areas of signal weakness and possible high interference.

Best WiFi analyzer apps are not just packed with useful features, but they are also exceptionally easy to use even by people who have little to no previous experience with WiFi analysis.

Features of a WiFi Channel Analyzer

Here are some attributes you will find important in a WiFi analyzer.

Quality data collection — There are many statistics that an analyzer can provide about your network and those located nearby. At a minimum you want your app to display:

• Network name: WiFi networks typically broadcast their names, also known as service set IDs (SSIDs) to identify themselves to wireless devices. SSIDs can be zero to 32 bytes long, and they can contain any non-ISO basic Latin characters. An SSID that is zero bytes long is called a “hidden SSID,” and it’s sometimes used to steers clients to other networks. A good WiFi network analyzer must be able to discover and analyze even hidden SSIDs.
• Band and channel in use: WiFi networks are broadcasted in the unlicensed spectrum, and the IEEE 802.11 standard provides several distinct radio frequency ranges, called bands, in the unlicensed spectrum. The main bands used in WiFi communications are the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and more recently, the 6 GHz band. These bands are divided into multiple channels, which are like lanes on the highway, allowing multiple WiFi networks to broadcast their signals without interfering with one another. A WiFi analyzer can reveal when multiple WiFi networks broadcast on the same channel and suggest an alternative channel, aiding in the optimal utilization of these bands and enhancing overall network performance.
• Security settings: To prevent unauthorized access, WiFi networks can be protected with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2 or the latest WPA3, the third iteration of a security certification standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Out of these, only the last type of WiFi security provides a sufficient level of security to ensure that no one can connect to your WiFi network without permission and access your personal data during transmit. A WiFi analyzer can tell you useful information about the security settings of your WiFi, helping you determine whether you should change them or not.
• WiFi standard: Technology keeps evolving at a rapid pace, and WiFi standards are no exception. There have been multiple amendments to the original IEEE 802.11 standard, which was released in 1997. Alongside the common WiFi standards such as 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac, more recent advancements include WiFi 6/6E (802.11ax) and WiFi 7 (802.11be), which allows link rates from 721 to 46120 Mbit/s and functions across the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands, delivering even more efficient and high-speed connections. To analyze as many WiFi networks as possible, it’s important to select a WiFi analyzer that supports older and new WiFi standards alike.
• Signal strength: Everyone knows how painful it can be to use the internet with a WiFi signal strength of just one or two bars. The problem with WiFi strength bars is that they are far from accurate and can even be misleading. A WiFi analyzer displays WiFi signal strength in dBm, which are decibels in relation to a milliwatt (usually -30 to -100), giving you a highly accurate estimate of your signal strength.
• Noise level: Just like it’s difficult to hear another person in a loud room, it’s difficult to receive a strong WiFi signal in an environment with too much wireless noise, which is measured in -dBm format (0 to -100). The closer the measured noise level is to zero, the greater the level of noise is and the more difficult it is to receive a strong WiFi signal.

User interface — The manner in which the network data is presented can impact your ability to use it efficiently. You should be able to quickly find the information you are interested in viewing.

Portability — When it comes to using a WiFi analyzer effectively, portability is key. Taking multiple readings of your network from various locations within the coverage area requires a tool that can go where you go. This is where the convenience of mobile WiFi analyzer apps shines. Whether using a laptop or mobile device, selecting a WiFi analyzer that fits your platform leads to the most productive use of the tool. For example, those who are using Apple devices should explore the best WiFi analyzer iOS apps.

Reporting — You may find that you want to keep records of your WiFi scans and network statistics. Some apps give you the ability to export data to files for later analysis.

The Inspector Mode is great for taking quick snapshots of nearby wireless networks. When in this mode, NetSpot instantly detects all wireless networks near you, including your own wireless network, and allows you to check their security settings, signal strength, the channel and band they broadcast on, and much more.

When in the Survey Mode, NetSpot allows you to outline your real-life wireless network data on a map, clearly showing where your signal is the weakest and where it is the strongest.

NetSpot’s heatmapping functionality supports multi-level projects with different areas, floors, and so on, and it even makes it possible to create any number of snapshots within each zone to quickly compare various wireless configurations with one another.

Finally, there’s the Planning Mode, which can be used to perform a predictive site survey. This feature is especially beneficial for those who are in the process of setting up a new WiFi network or looking to expand an existing network's coverage. It enables users to input a virtual map of the area and simulate how the network would perform in various configurations.

By adjusting the placement of access points, users can effectively predict signal coverage, identify potential dead zones, and optimize the overall network layout before any physical installation begins.

inSSIDer has been around since 2007, making WiFi analysis a breeze. The tool conveniently displays all essential information you need to see how your network performs in relation to other neighboring networks, including WiFi channel details, signal strength, and security settings.

Strong emphasis is placed on making the gathered data easily understandable, which is great if you're new to WiFi analysis or looking to pinpoint specific issues without getting lost in technical jargon. inSSIDer even scans your Local Area Network (LAN), showing you the devices connected, their types, and even their names when possible. All this without having to dig through complicated menus.

Because inSSIDer is developed primarily for Windows, Mac compatibility is restricted to a few specific (and outdated) versions. What's more, a MetaGeek account is mandatory to use the tool. This requirement may deter those users who don't wish to share their personal information with yet another company.

Real WiFi, available directly from the Microsoft Store, is designed to make your life easier when it comes to optimizing your wireless network. You can use it to identify interference from neighboring networks so that you know how to adjust your settings for faster internet speed without purchasing a new router.

One stand out feature offered by Real WiFi is its integrated internet speed test. With it, you can quickly and easily gauge the actual performance of your connection in real-time. We also appreciate the ability to detect devices connected to your network. This Device Scan feature can be a real eye-opener, especially if you suspect unauthorized devices are accessing your network.

However, while it's packed with handy features for the everyday user, Real WiFi might not be suitable for those seeking highly specialized or advanced analysis. The app makes WiFi analysis accessible for the average user but may fall short for networking professionals or enthusiasts looking for a more robust wireless analyzer tool.

Here is a free WiFi analyzer for Windows which can be used on your laptop to monitor signal strength, find open channels, and test your network’s speed. You can download WiFi Analyzer directly from the Microsoft Store and instantly turn your PC or laptop into a network analyzer.

With the free version of WiFi Analyzer, you can discover nearby WiFi networks and learn all essential information about them, such as their names and channels. The free version doesn’t contain any ads, and you can use it without any limitations.

If you would like to unlock additional features, you can upgrade to the PRO version of WiFi Analyzer via an in-app purchase. The PRO version offers live-tile support, beeper for signal strength, the ability to connect to WiFi networks straight from the app, filters, and more.

Wi-Fi Scanner by LizardSystems is a straightforward analyzer app that targets mainly home users who are interested in learning more information about the wireless activity in their area. It can also be used by professionals who are unable to justify paying extra for a professional data recovery tool, whose numerous features would greatly exceed their needs.

Home users can download and use Wi-Fi Scanner for free, but businesses are required to purchase a perpetual business license for $99.95. Regardless of whether you stay with the free version or purchase a license, you get to enjoy support for 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, as well as WPS 1.0 and WPS 2.0.

Performing a WiFi scan with Wi-Fi Scanner by LizardSystems is easy enough, but the available graphs could be more visually appealing. We appreciate the ability to quickly apply various filter to narrow down the number of displayed WiFi networks, and we also like the option to instantly switch between different network interfaces.

How to Perform Wi-Fi Analysis Using a Wi-Fi Analyzer App?

Wi-Fi analysis may sound very technical and daunting, but it’s anything but that — as long as you use a simple yet capable Wi-Fi analyzer app like NetSpot. In addition to NetSpot, you’ll also need a laptop with a WiFi card so you can detect nearby Wi-Fi networks.

With NetSpot, you can choose between three distinct WiFi analysis methods. The first method, called Inspector Mode, is all about quick and easy WiFi network discovery, instantly listing all WiFi networks available in your area, along with all important information about them, including network name, band and channel, security settings, WiFi standard, signal strength, and noise level.

The second WiFi analysis mode is called Survey Mode, and it allows you to perform a WiFi site survey and create a WiFi heatmap so you can see exactly where your WiFi signal is strong and where it could use some improvement.

The third and last mode supported by the WiFi spectrum analyzer, called Planning Mode, focuses on the future planning and optimization of your WiFi network. In this mode, users can virtually map out their environment and simulate how different network setups will perform. This includes the ability to place virtual access points on the map to see how their location affects signal coverage and strength throughout the area.

By combining these three WiFi analysis methods, you can get a very accurate idea about the performance of your WiFi network and understand exactly what you need to do to improve it or deploy it. For example, it takes just one click to see which WiFi channels nearby WiFi networks broadcast on, which makes it straightforward to solve channel interference issues.

Choose from different heatmap types to analyze various aspects of your wireless network's performance.

• Signal-to-noise ratio: highlights your signal level as compared to your noise level.
• Signal level: highlights your signal level, allowing you to easily see areas of signal weakness.
• Quantity of access points: highlights the number of access points available from each measurement point.
• Noise level: highlights the amount of background noise measured from each measurement point.
• Signal-to-interference ratio: highlights co-channel interference caused by other wireless networks.
• Download speed: highlights internet download speeds recorded during an active scan.
• Upload speed: highlights internet upload speeds recorded during an active scan.
• Wireless transmit rate: highlights the internet wireless transmit rate recorded during an active scan.
• Troubleshooting issues with SNR: this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot weak areas of signal-to-noise ratio coverage (macOS only).
• Troubleshooting low signal level: this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of weak signal level.
• Troubleshooting high noise level: this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of high noise level (macOS only).
• Troubleshooting overlapping channels (SIR): this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of high co-channel interference.
• Troubleshooting low download rate: this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of low download speeds.
• Troubleshooting low upload rate: this heatmap visualization makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of low upload speeds.

Keep in mind that some of these visualizations are available only in the Pro version of NetSpot.

To obtain the most accurate results possible, it’s a good idea to repeat the survey process several times, at different times of the day. Why? Because the results may be influenced by temporary usage spikes, intermittent interference, and other difficult-to-predict factors whose influence becomes obvious only with additional measurements.