Available for MacBook (macOS 11+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
Best WiFi Heatmap Tools
EQUIPPED WITH THE BEST TOOLS LIKE NETSPOT WIFI HEATMAP SOFTWARE, YOU CAN QUICKLY & EASILY DISCOVER AREAS OF SIGNAL WEAKNESS AND IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR WIFI NETWORK.
You might be thinking, “WiFi heatmapping sounds like a lot of work. Is it really worth the effort?” Well, WiFi heatmapping is actually a straightforward process that you can easily accomplish with just a few clicks using one of the best WiFi heatmap software tools described below. Whether it’s worth the effort depends on how important fast and reliable WiFi is to you.
If you have a home or office WiFi network, you probably depend on it every day so optimizing it for best performance and eliminating signal weak spots is definitely worth the little effort it takes to run a modern free WiFi heat mapping software application.
Top 5 Best WiFi Heatmap Software Tools
Great WiFi heatmap software tools are actually not that easy to find. To help you out, we have selected 5 best Wi-Fi heatmap tools currently available so you can get most from your WiFi network as soon as possible.
- NetSpot — is the only WiFi heatmap software tool designed to satisfy the needs of professional and home users alike.
- Ekahau Product Suite — a comprehensive suite of WiFi analysis and heatmapping solutions capable of meeting the needs of the most demanding users.
- Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps — you can turn your personal computer or laptop into an advanced wireless network analysis tool to get a detailed overview of the wireless landscape around you.
- VisiWave Site Survey — intended for large-scale and local WiFi surveys alike.
- AirMagnet Survey PRO — supports all WiFi network standards and surprises with its large number of supported features.
Choice #1
Available for macOS and Windows, NetSpot is the only Wi-Fi heat map software tool designed to satisfy the needs of professional and home users alike. NetSpot runs on any laptop or computer with macOS 11+ or Windows 7/8/10/11.
To create a WiFi heatmap using NetSpot, all you need to do is enter the Survey Mode and follow the simple instructions. NetSpot will ask you to upload a map of the area you would like to survey, but you can also create one using the built-in mapping tool.
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Inspector Mode
Gives you real-time insights into the WiFi networks around you.
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Survey Mode
Provides a comprehensive, map-based analysis of your WiFi network's performance.
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Planning Mode
Enables you to simulate and plan your WiFi network's layout and coverage.
Then just walk from one place to the next to collect wireless site survey data and wait for NetSpot to automatically build a WiFi heatmap for you. The heatmap will tell you exactly where your wireless signal is the strongest and where it could be improved.
Besides its wireless heatmap capabilities, NetSpot is also a great WiFi analyzer. Switch to the Inspector Mode and let NetSpot collect detailed information about nearby wireless networks, including those that do not broadcast their SSID, showing you what kind of security settings the networks use, which channel they broadcast on, and how strong their signal is, among other things.
Are you planning to deploy a new WiFi network? Then you can save yourself a lot of time and potentially money by using NetSpot’s planning mode to estimate the correct number and placement of access points before installation begins. This useful feature produces the same easy-to-understand heatmap visualization as the Survey mode, and you can export it as an image or a PDF report.
Despite having so many useful features, NetSpot never lets its users wonder which button they should click on to accomplish what they want to do. Because of its ease of use, professional features, attractive price, and stellar customer support, NetSpot has established itself as a leading heatmapper and WiFi analyzer, earning the top spot on this list.
Looking for an app to use with your mobile phone? Learn how to create Android WiFi heat maps and iOS WiFi heatmaps with NetSpot.
Mobile WiFi survey and analysis
Survey a space of any size directly on your iOS device in just a few effortless taps.
Mobile WiFi survey and analysis
Survey a space of any size directly on your Android device in just a few effortless taps.
Mobile WiFi survey and analysis
Survey a space of any size directly on your Android device in just a few effortless taps.
Mobile WiFi survey and analysis
Survey a space of any size directly on your iOS device in just a few effortless taps.
Pros and Cons
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Three modes of operation (Inspector, Survey, Planning)
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20+ types of WiFi heatmaps
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Available on macOS and Windows
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Works with any 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi network adapter
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Intuitive user interface
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Free to try with multiple paid versions to choose from
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None
Choice #2
Ekahau Product Suite
Available for Windows 7 and newer and macOS 10.11 and newer. Supports all Wi-Fi standards including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax in 6GHz), and 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
The Ekahau Product Suite is a comprehensive collection of WiFi analysis hardware and software that can meet the needs of professionals responsible for the deployment, configuration, and management of large enterprise networks.
At the heart of this suite is the Ekahau AI Pro software application, which can analyze 2.4/5/6 GHz wireless networks and create detailed heatmaps. The software features AI-assisted predictive wireless network design capabilities that make it easier than ever to plan a new network.
The Ekahau AI Pro software is intended for use with the Ekahau Sidekick 2, a hardware device whose purpose is to accurately collect 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz wireless data. Unlike your standard laptop, the Sidekick 2 is equipped with 4 tri-band radios and a spectrum analyzer that scans at 50 sweeps/second. To use the Ekahau Product Suite, you also need to subscribe to Ekahau Connect, a cloud platform that brings together the whole Ekahau product ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
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Enterprise-level WiFi heatmapping capabilities
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Excellent accuracy
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Support for the latest WiFi technologies
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Not intended for regular home users
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Very expensive
Choice #3
Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps
Available for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Windows 11 with Microsoft.Net 4.5 Installed.
With Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps you can turn your personal computer or laptop into an advanced wireless network analysis tool to get a detailed overview of the wireless landscape around you.
Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps can analyze the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz RF spectrum and generate detailed heatmaps and reports in a variety of common file formats.
The software offers comprehensive features for both indoor and outdoor studies, allowing users to design networks from scratch, optimize existing setups, and generate detailed reports tailored to different profile needs (executive, technical, and comprehensive).
The heatmaps generated by this WiFi heatmap software tool can be based both on online maps as well as on user-imported maps. Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps makes it possible to edit the generated maps, which is something that professionals across many different industries can appreciate. You can try Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps for free by downloading the trial version for the official website of the software.
Pros and Cons
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Can generate comprehensive survey reports
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Acrylic WiFi is user-friendly
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Offers 14 different types of heat maps
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WiFi network planning functionality
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Runs only on Windows
Choice #4
VisiWave Site Survey
Available for Windows.
Intended for large-scale and local WiFi surveys alike, VisiWave Site Survey provides three effective methods for capturing data. You can either capture data one point at a time, continuously walk through the survey area, or use GPS positioning for outdoor surveys. Several customizable templates can be used to easily create custom WiFi signal strength and coverage reports, and the gathered data can also be viewed in Google Earth.
VisiWave Site Survey supports most wireless adapters, and it doesn’t require any special hardware components to function. VisiWave has been maintaining and upgrading this comprehensive software product for over 20 years, so you can count on their support even in the future.
VisiWave Site Survey Pro offers advanced features like predictive surveys, allowing users to create theoretical simulations of radio wave propagation in a given area. This capability enables network planners to estimate signal strengths and optimize access point placement before physical deployment, saving time and resources in the network design process.
Pros and Cons
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Powerful report generator
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GPS positioning for outdoor surveys
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Support for predictive WiFi surveys
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Mature product that’s constantly being updated
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Very outdated user interface
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Can’t analyze 6 GHz networks
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Windows only
Choice #5
AirMagnet Survey PRO
Available for Windows 10, Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise 64-bit, and macOS (using Boot Camp).
AirMagnet Survey PRO can automatically create easy-to-read heatmaps for signal/noise, WLAN throughput, PHY data rates, retry rates, and packet losses. This heatmapper supports all WiFi network standards, including WiFi 6/6E, and surprises with its large number of supported features. The user interface has been improved in recent versions, though some users may still find it less intuitive compared to newer tools.
If you frequently need to create WiFi heatmaps, you will appreciate the comprehensive capabilities of AirMagnet Survey PRO. However, if you've never created a WiFi heatmap before and don't know if you will ever need to create one again, a more user-friendly WiFi heatmapper, such as NetSpot, might be a better choice for you.
The latest version of AirMagnet Survey PRO now offers advanced predictive modeling for WiFi 6/6E networks, allowing users to design new networks or model changes to existing ones for optimal coverage and performance without physically setting up access points.
Pros and Cons
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Compatible with the 2.4/5/6 GHz bands
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Supports WiFi 6/6E predictive modeling
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Can run multiple surveys at the same time
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Plenty of customizable reporting templates are available
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Outdated user interface
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No free version readily available
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Works only with AirCheck G3, EtherScope nXG, or CyberScope
To sum it up
With so many excellent WiFi heatmap software tools to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? By considering the following criteria:
- Features: Different heatmappers support different visualizations, so make sure to select one that is able to tell you everything you need to know about your WiFi network.
- Accuracy and precision: Opt for a tool that uses reliable data collection methods and algorithms to optimize mapping precision. This will avoid misleading results and help accurately identify dead zones or coverage overlaps.
- Compatibility: It goes without saying that you need to select a WiFi heatmapping tool that’s compatible with your operating system. Fortunately, NetSpot and many other leading heatmappers support both Windows and macOS.
- Ease of use: You should always select a Wi-Fi heat mapping software application that’s intuitive and designed to make the heatmapping process as simple as possible because there’s no reason to waste your time on applications with poor usability.
- Price: When it comes to price, WiFi heatmappers can cost as little as zero dollars or as much as several thousand. We recommend you stay within your budget and focus on heatmappers that offer a free trial version.
- Customer support: Never purchase WiFi heatmapping software from a company that doesn’t stand behind its customers and doesn’t offer multiple customer support channels.
- Data export options: Consider the flexibility your WiFi heatmapper offers for exporting data. Can you easily export the visualizations as image files? Does it support export to raw data formats for further analysis in different tools?
Remember, the best tool is the one that can meet your technical requirements and also fit within your budget — all while being pleasant to use. If you still haven’t found the perfect match for your WiFi heatmap needs, don't hesitate to explore more best WiFi mapper apps.
SO, WE RECOMMEND
NetSpot
Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 11+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
Best WiFi Heatmap Tools — FAQs
What Is a Wi-Fi Heatmap?
A Wi-Fi heatmap is a visual color-coded map that shows the wireless signal coverage and strength. Thanks to this colored representation one can easily spot weak wireless areas and try fixing the problem.
What are the Top 5 Best WiFi Heatmap Software Tools?
We have selected 5 best heatmapping solutions for you. Here are their brief descriptions:
- NetSpot — the only heatmap software that is loved by home WiFi owners as much as it is loved and respected by WiFi professionals for its advanced features and efficient surveys.
- Ekahau Product Suite — is a comprehensive collection of Wi-Fi analysis hardware and software.
- Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps — another friendly software for your personal computer or laptop for an advanced wireless network analysis.
- VisiWave Site Survey — supports local WiFi surveys just as it does a large-scale network analysis.
- AirMagnet Survey PRO — this WiFi heatmapping tool has a lot of features and supports all wireless network standards.
How to create a WiFi heatmap using NetSpot?
After opening NetSpot, go to its Survey Mode and follow the simple instructions. You'll need to either upload a map of a surveyed area or create one directly in NetSpot. Once you have the map in front of you, start walking from spot to spot while NetSpot is building a heatmap. With the resulting visual heatmap, you'll be able to see which areas have the strongest signal, and where the coverage needs to be enhanced.
How to collect information about nearby wireless networks?
Use NetSpot to gather information about the surrounding networks. In the app's Inspector Mode you can see what kind of security settings the discovered networks use, what channels they broadcast on, their signal strength, and more. You can get information about the networks that don't broadcast their SSID as well.
How do you make a heatmap for WiFi?
To make a WiFi heat map, you don’t need to purchase any special equipment. All you need is a laptop and a WiFi heatmapper application like NetSpot. Once you have your WiFi heatmapper application of choice installed on the laptop, you can go ahead and use it to create your first WiFi heat map by methodically walking from one part of the surveyed area to the next. From start to finish, heatmapping a regular-sized apartment shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes or so.
How do you read a wireless heat map?
Understanding a wireless heat map is straightforward, thanks to its self-explanatory design. For instance, a WiFi heat map in NetSpot's default settings uses a color gradient from red, through green, to blue to denote signal strength. Blue areas indicate weak signal presence, green signifies acceptable signal strength, and red represents excellent signal coverage. Users who don’t like the default color scheme can choose a different one from the app’s settings.
How do I create a heat map?
The exact steps will depend on your WiFi mapper of choice, but the general process is always the same:
- Download and install a WiFi mapping software application on your laptop.
- Launch the application and start a new survey.
- Create or load a map of the surveyed area.
- Methodically walk from one part of the area to the next, taking measurements along the way.
- Finish the survey and analyze the results.
With the right WiFi mapper, you should be able to create a map highlighting various aspects of your wireless coverage in just a few minutes and without any special knowledge.
How can I tell where a WiFi signal is coming from?
Just like electromagnetic waves, a WiFi signal will get stronger and stronger the closer you get to its source (a WiFi router or repeater). Knowing this, you can use a WiFi mapping tool to create a heatmap of your area to see where the signal has the greatest strength.
Just know that the strength of a WiFi signal can also be affected by solid obstacles and other devices that use electromagnetic radiation for transferring information, so finding the exact origin of the signal may not always be possible.
What is WiFi hotspot mapper?
A WiFi hotspot mapper is a tool or application used to identify and visualize the locations of WiFi hotspots within a specific area. It typically uses data from WiFi signals to create a map showing available networks, their signal strength, and coverage. This can help users find the best spots for a strong connection and assist network administrators in optimizing WiFi coverage. Some mappers also provide additional details such as network security types and usage statistics.
Get NetSpot for Free
Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 11+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.