I needed a solution to map and optimize a residential wifi network. Several issues compounded the challenge separate to wifi signal strength & quality but there were distinct interference issues from nearest neighbor routers and a CCTV monitoring system that required diagnosing.
After sampling a few apps I leaned toward Netspot’s ease of use and cross platform functionality to deliver what I needed. However, a key selling feature to me has been the ongoing technical support guiding results interpretation and tuning wifi adjustments. Bravo Netspot!
The scan readings a great plus the Heat maps are a breeze
NetSpot is a seriously professional product at consumer prices. For home users it can demystify WiFi signal strength variations and provide the information needed for router, access point, or mesh placement(s) and WiFi signal propagation. As many IT folks have reviewed this product, this review is written with the home user in mind. For the basic tech-savvy home user, I think it’s the best bang-for-the-buck WiFi analysis and heat map product out there.
Having said this, it has a moderate learning curve. Although it lacks a cohesive online or printed operation manual, the online “Help” section is well laid out and is easy to follow – and, most important, the email support staff at NetSpot are fantastic!!! They have typically responded to me within a business day (often within hours) with polite, concrete answers. With the help of these answers, it was easy to find well-written explanations in the online “Help” section.
To use NetSpot you’ll need a to-scale floorplan of the WiFi area (true of any heat map product). NetSpot makes this easier by allowing the import of JPG files (among other file types), meaning you can take a picture of the floorplan and use it. It’s recommended to begin with a trial version of NetSpot loaded on either a Mac or Windows laptop, which doubles as the WiFi measuring device and producing the heat map product(s). Be sure to read through the NetSpot online “Help” section for guidance.
Don’t be dissuaded by critical reviews on android sites about a similarly named NetSpot survey app. NetSpot offers its survey product (signal strength, overlapping channels, etc.) as an app which is meant to integrate with its Mac or PC product. While some complain this free survey tool requires a paid software package to generate a heat map, it’s actually a fantastic tool that permits an Android phone (or Chromebook) to conduct the survey, rather than taking around a laptop or desktop computer. Due to Apple’s iPhone app restrictions, it’s not possible to use an iPhone for this purpose.
In summary, this is the tool you’ve been looking for to find out exactly what WiFi signals are getting though in some parts of your house, but not others. Discover what WiFi channels have interference from neighbors or from your own APs. See download speeds. Quit guessing.
NetSpot has made it so much easier for my organization to perform site surveys, monitor wireless performance, and fix dead spots in our network. It was incredibly intuitive to use, and can generate some very helpful, and comprehensive reports. NetSpot is a MUST have tool for any MSP, Infrastructure Installer, or IT Department.
I’m glad I found NetSpot. It’s a very simple easy to use application that does exactly what I need it to do – show me the important info for all access points in the area and also survey my locations to let me know if we have any weak spots that need better coverage.
We were looking for a simple to use, Mac-based, tool to analyze our network. With NetSpot and it’s super-clear resources, we were able to get up and running quickly and identify some areas of concern in our schools. I know that my team will use this tool frequently.
I found NetSpot to be intuitive, easy to use, and information rich. The enterprise version for $499 allows unlimited use of all NetSpot capabilities for 10 users. And lifetime upgrades for only $199. NetSpot doesn’t just give a heat map of the survey area, it allows detailed analysis of numerous factors influencing WLAN design.
To quote the CWNA Study Guide:
“Present-day wireless networks need to provide the coverage that was sought when early site surveys were performed, but they also need to provide higher throughput for denser deployments of stations. To achieve these goals, the site survey must encompass much more than just determining coverage, including looking for potential sources of interference.”
NetSpot provides the kind of information needed to evaluate a modern Wi-Fi network. It even has a feature called “Active Scan” that allows the user to test real time throughput with a utility such as Iperf for measurements of the maximum achievable bandwidth.
With the low initial cost, and the attractively priced lifetime upgrades, I have to recommend NetSpot. NetSpot is also up to the task of providing the data needed to evaluate a modern Wi-Fi environment.
This app is incredibly useful. There are more powerful competitor products, but they cost thousands of dollars per year. This app allowed me to create a detailed signal map to optimize my AP placement. Some construction materials that block your signals are obvious, but there are always things you can’t predict without actually testing!
It works well
I would agree with most of the other reviews. It works very smoothly and it has a good feature set. Our NetSpot rep was helpful and allowed us an extra timed trial to thoroughly test the product. – I recommend.
