In this article, we'll dive into some of the most effective WiFi survey tools, including NetSpot, an easy-to-use software application for wireless network assessment, scanning, planning, and surveys.
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.
WiFi surveying is crucial for several reasons:
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.
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:
Let's now take a look at the top 5 best WiFi survey apps currently available. Our selection process was guided by the above-described criteria, which is why we believe these tools stand out from the competition.
NetSpot is a user-friendly WiFi Site Survey Software for Mac and Windows platforms.
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.
The upcoming NetSpot 3 update promises to make this already excellent WiFi planning software even better thanks it its support for predictive WiFi analysis. Soon, you'll be able to place a virtual router on a map of any area and accurately visualize your future wireless coverage before you export the results for further analysis.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Optimizing your WiFi network is essential for a seamless and enjoyable online experience. With so many WiFi survey software tools available, it's important to consider factors such as ease of use, price, compatibility, and user reviews when making your decision. Our top 5 picks offer a range of features and capabilities to help you assess and improve your network's performance.
A WiFi survey analyzes your wireless network by assessing factors such as signal strength, channel interference, and coverage to optimize its performance.
You can survey your WiFi signal using a WiFi site survey tool such as NetSpot. Here's how to get started with it:
