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.
Top 5 Best WiFi Survey Software
Staying connected is more important than ever before. A strong and reliable WiFi connection can make all the difference in your online experience. That's where the best WiFi survey software comes into play, helping you optimize your network and stay connected.
Let's be honest — dealing with spotty WiFi and dead zones can be a real headache. But don't worry, we're about to introduce you to some of the most effective WiFi survey tools that can help you identify weak spots and boost your signal, so you can stay connected wherever you are.
Top 5 Best Wi-Fi Survey Software Tools
Let's take a look at the top 5 best WiFi survey apps currently available. Our selection process was guided by the below-described criteria, which is why we believe these tools stand out from the competition.
- NetSpot — a user-friendly WiFi survey tool for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, offering comprehensive features and excellent ease of use.
- Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps — a WiFi site survey software for windows designed for small to medium-sized businesses, providing a range of visualization options and detailed reports.
- Ekahau Survey — a professional-grade mobile WiFi site survey tool for Android and iOS, designed for seamless integration with the Sidekick 2 hardware device.
- VisiWave Site Survey — an advanced Windows-compatible wireless LAN site survey solution with multiple data collection methods, predictive survey capabilities, and custom report visualization.
- whm aka wifi-heat-mapper — a budget-friendly, open-source Linux WiFi survey app that doesn't cost anything to download and use.
Choice #1
NetSpot is a user-friendly WiFi Survey Software for Mac and Windows platforms. Designed with both novices and professionals in mind, it empowers users to analyze and optimize their wireless networks effortlessly. Whether you're managing a home network or overseeing a large corporate environment, NetSpot provides intuitive tools to enhance your WiFi experience.
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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.
This powerful application allows users to perform wireless site surveys, WiFi analysis, and troubleshooting without being a network expert. With just a few clicks, you can load your office plan or area map, collect WiFi data, and create comprehensive heatmaps of your network of your network's signal strength and coverage. These visual representations help you identify dead zones, overlapping channels, and other issues that may be affecting your network's performance.
NetSpot also supports predictive WiFi analysis, making this already excellent WiFi planning software even better. This advanced functionality enables you to virtually place wireless access points on a map of any area and accurately visualize your future wireless coverage.
By visualizing different configurations and placements, you can plan and optimize your WiFi setup before any physical installation takes place, saving both time and resources.
Pros and Cons
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Compatible with Windows and MAC
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Intuitive user interface
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Free version available
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Built-in area map creation tool
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Predictive WiFi analysis
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None
- Summary recommendation: Get NetSpot
Choice #2
Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps
Available for Windows.
Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps is a comprehensive WiFi analysis tool designed for small to medium-sized businesses. The WiFi survey software supports 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHZ (WiFi 6E) frequency bands and offers a range of visualization options, generating detailed, editable reports that can be exported to Word, CSV, or even Google Earth.
Despite being geared toward business users, Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps is still easy to use, boasting a simple and intuitive interface design. The free version of the software supports only a few basic features, and it's necessary to purchase the Pro version to unlock the full potential of this WiFi survey software.
Pros and Cons
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Easy to use and doesn't require expensive hardware
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Free version is available
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Offers a variety of heatmap options
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Frequently updated
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Lacks a mobile app
Choice #3
Ekahau Survey
Available for Android and iOS.
Ekahau Survey is a professional-grade WiFi Site Survey Software for Android and iOS devices. It works seamlessly with the Sidekick 2, a dedicated hardware device that's equipped with 4 tri-band WiFi radios that scan 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands.
With Ekahau Survey's Autopilot feature, you can effortlessly conduct surveys as it tracks your path and captures data at multiple locations for precise WiFi site survey measurements. By leveraging Apple ARKit and LiDAR technology, Ekahau Survey delivers an enhanced user experience and achieves the most accurate RF readings at every step.
Pros and Cons
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Highly accurate mobile WiFi surveying
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Polished user experience
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A number of quality-of-life features, such as Autopilot
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Requires the Sidekick 2 device for full functionality
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Not suitable for users on a tight budget due to the cost of Sidekick2
Choice #4
VisiWave Site Survey
Available for Windows.
VisiWave Site Survey is a complete wireless LAN site survey solution that offers advanced data collection and visualization capabilities. The WiFi surveying software supports three different data collection methods: one point at a time, continuous walks through the survey area, and GPS positioning for outdoor surveys.
You can create custom reports or reuse report templates to visualize your coverage, or interactively view your coverage data in Google Earth. The VisiWave Site Survey Pro version adds the ability to perform predictive wireless site surveys, but it costs $849.00 (the basic version costs "only" $549.00).
Pros and Cons
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Three data collection methods
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Supports predictive surveys
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Developed by a trusted company
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Very expensive
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Only compatible with Windows operating systems
Choice #5
whm aka wifi-heat-mapper
Available for Linux.
Born out of the author's frustration with the available open-source and paid options, whm, also known as wifi-heat-mapper, is a Linux WiFi survey app designed to benchmark WiFi networks and gather useful metrics that can be converted into meaningful and easy-to-understand heatmaps.
Because whm is a one-man project, it doesn't have a shiny user interface and a ton of features, but at least it doesn't cost anything at all to download and use, making it a great option for those who are looking for a budget-friendly option.
Pros and Cons
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Basic user interface
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Completely free and open-source
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One of only a few Linux WiFi survey apps
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Only compatible with Linux x86_64 distributions
How to Choose the Best Wi-Fi Survey Software
Selecting the ideal WiFi survey software for your needs can be overwhelming with numerous options available. To help you make an informed decision, here are some key factors to consider when choosing the best software:
- Ease of use: Look for software that is user-friendly and offers a seamless experience, whether you're a beginner or an expert in network analysis.
- Price: Consider your budget and find a software application that offers the right balance of features and affordability. Some options may have a free version with the ability to upgrade to a feature-rich paid system.
- Usability: Choose software that presents information in visually appealing and easy-to-understand graphics, such as color-coded transmission strength indicators and signal footprints.
- Compatibility: Make sure the software is compatible with your device, whether it's a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Also, check if the software requires an external hardware device, such as a dedicated WiFi spectrum analyzer, to work as intended.
- User reviews: Pay close attention to user reviews and testimonials to gain insights into the software's performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction from others who have used it. This will help you gauge its effectiveness and potential limitations.
- Regular updates: Pick a software solution that is frequently updated by its developers. Updates eliminate annoying bugs, introduce new features, and maintain compatibility with the latest WiFi standards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the optimal WiFi survey app hinges on your specific requirements and the platforms you use. The top five tools listed offer a variety of features catering to different needs — from the user-friendly and comprehensive NetSpot compatible with multiple operating systems, to the professional-grade Ekahau Survey designed for seamless hardware integration, and the cost-effective, open-source whm for Linux users.
By evaluating these options against your criteria, you can choose the most suitable tool to enhance and optimize your wireless network.
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 Survey Software — FAQs
What Is a WiFi Survey?
A WiFi survey is a comprehensive analysis of your wireless network that aims to optimize its performance to ensure seamless connectivity and a top-notch online experience. This process involves assessing factors such as signal strength, channel interference, and coverage to identify and resolve any potential issues.
Using the best WiFi survey software tools, you can efficiently analyze and optimize your wireless network to get the best WiFi coverage, making connectivity issues a thing of the past.
Why is the WiFi survey important?
WiFi surveying is crucial for several reasons:
- It helps you understand your network's current state and find areas for improvement.
- It enables you to optimize your WiFi setup by identifying the ideal placement for your router, ensuring maximum coverage and speed.
- It can also assist in diagnosing and fixing common connectivity issues such as dead zones and interference, resulting in a more reliable and enjoyable internet experience.
What does a WiFi survey do?
A WiFi survey analyzes your wireless network by assessing factors such as signal strength, channel interference, and coverage to optimize its performance.
How do I survey a WiFi signal?
You can survey your WiFi signal using a WiFi site survey tool such as NetSpot. Here's how to get started with it:
- Download and install NetSpot on your Windows or Mac.
- Launch the application and switch to the Survey tab.
- Choose the "Start a new survey" option.
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.