Visualize your WiFi coverage
Multiple types of visual heatmaps allow for easy spotting of the dead zones and tweaking the network setup to eliminate them.
NetSpot Wi-Fi Heatmap & Planning Software
Discover NetSpot, the leading WiFi heat map software for Windows & Mac that visualizes your WiFi signal strength, identifies dead zones, and helps optimize network performance. NetSpot streamlines Wi-Fi analysis, troubleshooting, design, and planning.
Get reliable Wi-Fi coverage with NetSpot
Interactive WiFi Heatmaps
Visualize your network in real-time with dynamic, color-coded maps that highlight signal strength, noise levels, and channel overlap.
In-Depth Analysis
Drill down into every aspect of your wireless network to identify and resolve dead zones and interference issues quickly.
Real-Time Insights
Monitor nearby networks, understand channel usage, and evaluate security settings to proactively manage and improve your network environment.
Multi-Platform Compatibility
Available on both Mac and Windows, ensuring seamless integration with your existing technology.
WiFi site survey mode
How to Create a WiFi heatmap
With NetSpot, you can effortlessly map your real-life Wi-Fi data to examine every aspect of your network — from signal strength and noise levels to channel overlap and more — allowing you to quickly pinpoint strong signals and dead zones for optimal performance.
Boost Your Wireless Network
We'll walk you through a simple, step-by-step process to measure your signal strength, visualize network coverage, and identify areas for improvement. Whether you're a seasoned IT professional or a home network enthusiast, this guide will equip you with the insights needed to create a detailed Wi-Fi heat map and ensure robust connectivity.
Create a new project
Name your Project and either upload an existing floor plan or draw one.
Calibrate
Scale your map so that NetSpot understands how large the surveyed area is.
Configure active scanning
Use the Active Scan feature to measure your network's Internet connection speed for the most exhaustive survey report.
Set scan point density
Determine the distance between sampling points during your survey for an accurate heatmap.
Start scanning
Move from one area to the next until the entire map is covered. Take as many measurements as you can to get more accurate data.
Analyze collected data with detailed Visual Heatmaps
Interactive heatmaps with detailed information on all surveyed wireless networks in every point of the map. NetSpot offers more than 20 heatmap visualizations that help troubleshoot and manage any Wi-Fi setup. By helping analyze every access point, NetSpot can scale up from useful-to-everyone to incredibly detailed for the true wireless networking mavens.
Export and import reports
Export your WiFi site survey reports into one of the convenient formats and share them with others. Export to PDF or CSV is available.
Identify issues
Locate the “dead zones”, determine sources of interference, and more.
WiFi planning mode
Design your Wi-Fi with Predictive heatmaps
Absolutely no equipment is needed except for your computer or laptop with NetSpot on board to estimate the number of access points the network will need for a smooth and even coverage.
Plan your WiFi network
Create predictive heatmaps to ensure optimal placement of your virtual routers. Simply drag your access points to new positions and watch the heatmap update instantly, allowing you to fine-tune your setup for the best performance.
Upload the image and calibrate
Load the image of your surveyed space and scale the map — indicate the real distance between two known points.
Add architectural elements
Add walls, windows, and doors of your space, and select building materials to simulate how they will impact your WiFi signal.
Add the virtual access points
Select a AP model you are planning to utilize from an extensive list in the app.
Run a simulation of your planned WiFi network
Map out your space to create and analyze various visualizations for your future wireless coverage.
- Signal level
- Signal-to-interference ratio
- Quantity of access points
- Frequency band coverage
- PHY mode coverage
Plan your perfect WiFi network
A WiFi network from scratch, well-built right away? That is easy with NetSpot! We have all the necessary tools ready for you!
What Is a WiFi Heatmap?
A WiFi heatmap is a visual representation of wireless signal distribution, typically showing signal strength using a color-coded approach, with the color red representing areas with a strong signal and the color blue representing areas with a weak signal.
Because WiFi heatmaps can show wireless signal strength and other parameters across an entire area all at once, they make troubleshooting of various WiFi issues, such as connection drops, high latency, and data transfer speed fluctuations much easier than static measurements taken from a single place.
Besides troubleshooting WiFi issues, WiFi heatmaps also come in handy when setting up a wireless router because they make it easy to see which specific areas have a strong signal and which don’t, helping you determine a more suitable place for your router and revealing potential sources of signal interference, such as walls, furniture, large appliances, and all kinds of wireless devices.
More about Wi-Fi Heat maps
Why Choose NetSpot for Your WiFi Heatmap Needs?
NetSpot is the ultimate solution for creating accurate WiFi heatmaps, helping you optimize coverage, reduce interference, and enhance network performance with ease.
NetSpot vs others
Below is a comparison table that illustrates how NetSpot's advanced features, ease of use, and superior performance set it apart from the competition.
| Ease of Use | NetSpot offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and professionals. | Some competitors have complex interfaces that may require advanced technical skills, making them less accessible to non-experts. |
| Interactive Heatmaps | Provides dynamic, color-coded heatmaps that update in real-time, allowing for detailed visualization of signal strength, noise levels, channel overlap, and more. | While some competitors offer heatmapping features, they may lack real-time updates or the same level of detail, potentially limiting their effectiveness in troubleshooting. |
| In-Depth Analysis | Delivers comprehensive insights into various network parameters, enabling users to identify and address issues like dead zones and interference efficiently. | Certain tools may provide basic analysis but often lack the depth required for thorough troubleshooting, which can be a limitation for users seeking detailed insights. |
| Advanced Reporting | Generates detailed, actionable reports that assist in fine-tuning network setups for optimal performance. | Some competitors offer reporting features, but they may not be as comprehensive or actionable, potentially limiting their utility in network optimization. |
| Real-Time Insights | Offers immediate feedback on nearby networks, including information on signal strength, channel usage, and security settings, aiding in proactive network management. | Competitors may provide similar insights, but the timeliness and depth of information can vary, affecting their effectiveness in proactive management. |
| Platform Compatibility | Fully functional on both Mac and Windows operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility. | Some tools are limited to a single operating system or may require additional configurations to function across platforms, which can be restrictive for users with diverse setups. |
| Hardware Requirements | NetSpot operates effectively with standard Wi-Fi adapters, eliminating the need for specialized hardware. | Competitors often require proprietary hardware for optimal performance. |
| Pricing | NetSpot offers a range of pricing options, including a free version with essential features and premium versions for advanced functionalities, making it accessible to various user needs. | Competitors typically operate on subscription-based models, which can be more costly over time. |
Benefits of Using a WiFi Heatmap Software
Enhanced Business Efficiency
- Improve connectivity in offices, shopping centers, hotels, and other high-traffic areas
- Quickly identify and resolve weak signal areas to keep operations running smoothly.
- Cut operational costs
- Optimize network design to reduce maintenance expenses and extend equipment lifespan.
Improved User Experience
- Provide reliable internet access for students, guests, and customers.
- Increasing satisfaction
- Enhance user experience by eliminating dead zones and boosting signal strength.
- Deliver top-tier connectivity as a competitive advantage in service-driven industries.
Strengthened Network Security
- Monitor signal distribution
- Ensure that only intended areas receive access, reducing potential vulnerabilities.
- Quickly spot rogue devices that may compromise network integrity.
- Develop strategies to protect critical areas of your network from external threats.
FAQ
In this section we'll do our best to answer your most frequent questions about making a perfect wireless network
What is WiFi mapping?
WiFi mapping is the activity of visualizing wireless signal distribution and a map and highlighting its characteristics, such as strength, using a color-coded approach.
How do I map my WiFi signal?
To map your WiFi signal, you need to equip yourself with one of the best WiFi heatmapper apps and use it to methodically take measurements at different locations until you’ve surveyed the entire area that you want to cover by a WiFi signal. Your WiFi mapper will then automatically turn the measurements into a color-coded map.
How do I check the range of my WiFi?
You can check the range of your WiFi by creating a WiFi heatmap of your area. That way, you’ll be able to clearly see where the signal is the strongest and weakest. A WiFi heatmap can also reveal signal strength-degrading obstacles and sources of interference, making it far more comprehensive and informative than point-in-place measurements.
How helpful is a WiFi heatmap?
A WiFi heatmap is a highly useful tool for assessing and improving the performance of a wireless network, allowing you to:
- Identify areas of weak or no coverage. By seeing where the signal is weak or non-existent, you can determine where you may need to add access points or adjust the placement of existing ones.
- Optimize access point placement. By seeing how the signal strength varies throughout your space, you can determine the best locations for access points to ensure maximum coverage and minimal interference.
- Choose the best channel. By seeing which channels are being used by nearby networks, you can choose the channel with the least interference for your own network.
- Improve network performance. By identifying and addressing areas of poor performance, you can improve the overall speed and reliability of your network.
What is the best WiFi heatmap software for Mac & Windows?
If you're looking for an easy solution that doesn’t require extra hardware or training, NetSpot is a good choice. It works on both Mac and Windows and lets you create Wi-Fi heatmaps using your laptop’s built-in Wi-Fi adapter.
- No extra hardware needed — Just install the app and start scanning.
- Easy to use — The interface is intuitive, even for non-experts.
- Works on both Mac and Windows — Useful for mixed-device environments.
- Visual Wi-Fi heatmaps — Shows weak and strong signal areas in real-time.
- Free version available — Basic features are free, with more advanced options in the paid versions.
NetSpot lets you build a heatmap of your wireless network so you can find out where your Wi-Fi signal is strong and the areas where it's weak.
Matt Elliott, CNET
The visuals it generates are an absolutely invaluable tool if you want to geek out hard and get the most out of your Wi-Fi coverage.
Jim Salter, ArsTechnica
NetSpot is top drawer. You won't find a better app for figuring out why your Wi-Fi isn't working the way you need it to. And it will help you plan for new networks and reconfigure your existing network.
Jeffery Battersby, iMore
Better WiFi is just a download away
Runs on a MacBook (macOS 11+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11be/ax/ac/n/g/a/b wireless network adapter. Read more about the 802.11be support here.
Your projects are cross-platform and can be opened in NetSpot for macOS, Windows, and some on Android.