NetSpot has 6 versions available right now: NetSpot Free can be downloaded directly from our website and upgraded to Home, PRO or Enterprise (macOS and Windows) and two versions are available on the Mac App Store. We understand that when you are just getting to know NetSpot, choosing the right version may seem a little confusing, so we’ll try to explain the differences between these options comprehensively.
Mac App Store:
NetSpot Scanner is more or less similar to NetSpot Home (available for the upgrade on our website). Both are limited to personal use, with limitations on the size and scope of the scanning project. Two visualizations (SNR and SIR) only, limited to 1 zone, 1 snapshot, 50 data points,1 AP visualized, etc. (please see the chart below for a more visual comparison).
NetSpot Reporter is similar to NetSpot PRO (available for the upgrade on our website). Both can be used for commercial projects and have greatly expanded capabilities.
IMPORTANT! NetSpot WiFi Reporter adds advanced visualizations and powerful reporting features to the NetSpot WiFi Scanner and DOESN’T work without the latter installed.
If they are so similar, why do they have different names?
The reason is that Apple imposes certain limitations on the apps sold in the Mac App Store. The versions in the App Store (Scanner and Reporter) can not have the full capabilities of the versions sold on our website (Home and PRO). The biggest difference is that the versions from the App Store do not have Discover Mode. There are other, smaller differences as well. Please see the chart below for easier visual comparison. Click the feature name in the left column to learn more about it.
In short, if you want the fullest capabilities and the most frequent updates, please consider purchasing of the Home, PRO (or Enterprise) version directly from our website. However, if you buy the Reporter version from the App Store and decide later that you need the Home or PRO version, there is an upgrade discount available — please email us with your request, along with your proof of purchase from the App Store (preferably, your Apple Store receipt).
| Mac App Store | ||
|---|---|---|
| NetSpot Scanner | NetSpot Reporter (doesn’t work without NetSpot Scanner) | |
| Price | $7.99 | $39.99 |
| OS | macOS only | macOS only |
| Discover Mode | No | No |
| Version | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Updates | Basic ones | Less frequently |
| Support | No | Basic |
| License Use | Non-commercial | Commercial |
| Zones Per Project | 1 zone | 50 zones |
| Snapshots Per Zone | 1 snapshot | 50 snapshots |
| Data Points Per Project | 50 data points | Unlimited |
| Number of Visualizations | Only 2 (SNR, SIR) | 15 Pro visualizations |
| Maximum Number of APs Visualized | Only 1 | Unlimited |
| AP Grouping | Not available | 6 grouping options plus custom groups |
| Export Capability | Current visualization in PDF only | Advanced customizable reports |
| Active Scanning Capability | No | Yes |
| Hidden SSIDs Supported | No | Yes |
| Autosaving Capability | No | Yes |
| Multi-floor surveys | No | Yes |
| Adjust Area Type | No | Yes |
| Rename APs | No | Yes |
| Cross-Project Imports | No | Yes |
| Website | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NetSpot Free | NetSpot Home | NetSpot PRO & Enterprise | ||||
| Price | free | $49.00 | starts at $149.00 | |||
| OS | macOS | Windows | macOS | Windows | macOS | Windows |
| Discover Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Version | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Updates | More frequently | More frequently | More frequently | |||
| Support | Basic | Priority | Priority | |||
| License Use | Non-commercial | Non-commercial | Commercial | |||
| Zones Per Project | No | No | 2 zones | 2 zones | 50 zones or unlimited | 50 zones or unlimited |
| Snapshots Per Zone | No | No | 2 snapshots | 2 snapshots | 50 snapshots or unlimited | 50 snapshots or unlimited |
| Data Points Per Project | No | No | 50 data points | 50 data points | 500 data points or unlimited | 500 data points or unlimited |
| Number of Visualizations | No | No | Only 3 (Signal, SNR, SIR) | Only 2 (Signal, SIR) | 16 Pro visualizations | 12 Pro visualizations |
| Maximum Number of APs Visualized | No | No | Only 5 | Only 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| AP Grouping | No | No | By SSID Only | By SSID Only | 6 grouping options plus custom groups | 6 grouping options plus custom groups |
| Export Capability | None | None | None | None | Advanced customizable reports | Advanced customizable reports |
| Active Scanning Capability | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hidden SSIDs Supported | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Autosaving Capability | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-floor surveys | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Adjust Area Type | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rename APs | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-Project Imports | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |