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While it's easy to understand the benefits of using a Wi-Fi network, it's not always a simple process to get one set up correctly. NetSpot is a tool that aims to help you map and understand your existing network or plan and set up a new network.
The program's professional, easy-to-follow user interface guides you through the survey process. By using sample maps or hand-drawn maps, NetSpot users get visual feedback of their network's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with a simple color map. Red is used for the best SNR, and blue for worst. As the publisher notes, you'll need to physically walk around your networking area and click on the corresponding location on the map for the software to perform a passive scan of the available networks. The final result is a heat map of your network with helpful onscreen explanations.
The free app has proven to be very useful: we were able to test our home network in just a few minutes and spot the dead points immediately. Even if you're not the resident network expert, NetSpot is a tool that nearly any moderately savvy user can use to analyze his or her Wi-Fi network.
Publisher's Description
From NetSpot:
NetSpot is a simple and accessible wireless survey tool for Mac users, which allows collecting, visualizing and analyzing Wi-Fi data using any MacBook.
NetSpot can visualize your wireless network by building a visual Wi-Fi map. It will let you see dead zones without coverage and place hotspots (Access Points) correctly. Using the visualized map of collected wireless data you will also see channels' load and will be able to decide how to optimize your Wi-Fi site better.
NetSpot is a powerful analyzer of Wi-Fi coverage. Just in a couple of clicks you can load your area map, point your location on the map and NetSpot starts collecting Wi-Fi data around you. It will gather all the needed information for radio signal leakages analyzing, noise sources discovering, access points effective location, etc.
You can also use NetSpot as a powerful wireless network planning tool. Load a map, collect wireless site survey data, build a heatmap of your network and you are ready to build the optimal configuration of a new Wi-Fi network and wise radio channels usage with minimal signal to noise ratio.
What's new in this version:
- Sound notifications for successful and failed samples (see Config gear -> Toggle -> Sound notifications)
- Improved export options, advanced export is coming soon
- Improved support for 5GHz bands
- Enhanced performance and memory usage when overlay controls are displayed (especially when zooming and during other manipulations)
- Better active scanning reports
- Visualization settings are saved when you close and relaunch NetSpot
- Act... See all new features
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All versions:
4.7 starsout of 9 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"A great, intuitive user friendly software!"
Version: NetSpot 1.3.336
Pros
Best of all, it's FREE!
Cons
I don't know any cons.
Summary
It's an excellent free mac utility that lets you scan your area for wi-fi signals, and create floor plans best suited for delivering strong wireless connections
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"Nice to see a free WiFi Survey app available!"
Version: NetSpot 1.3.336
Pros
This is an amazingly innovative and easy to use piece of software
Cons
nothing for me
Summary
Finally an app for Mac that does accurate, usable site survey information...
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"I like this software!"
Version: NetSpot 1.3.336
Pros
It's FREE wireless survey software
Cons
I don't know any
Summary
This tool is great for setting up and planning a wifi net work in your home or office. I plan on testing it outside my home to see how my network looks to snoopers.
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"Fantastic software!"
Version: NetSpot 1.3.336
Pros
It's great, I'm amazed it's FREE - I mapped everywhere I'm using Wi-fi on a regular basis.
Cons
absolutely nothing
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"Very useful when you have a big house"
Version: NetSpot 1.2.308
Pros
Guys it is FREE! Respect!
Cons
I'd like to have more features (requested some of them via website)
Summary
You do not need any wifi scanner, just use Netspot and you'll see all wifi networks, signal details, coverage maps, etc.
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"Could be useful but am not able to use it at home yet."
Version: NetSpot 1.1.284
Pros
Works quite well on visible networks.
Cons
Can not be directed to invisible networks. no way of telling it how to find non visible signals.
Summary
Hope this limitation is resolved soon, I'd like to use it. I have tried it on other peoples networks and it looks useful.
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"Useful to help decide on AP bridge placement."
Version: NetSpot 1.1.284
Pros
The simplest Pro is that it works. The graphical coverage display is intuitive.
Cons
I did not notice any. It would more portable as an Android app.
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"Excellent find!"
Version: NetSpot 1.0
Pros
Great way to map wifi for office and home, free of charge.
Cons
None to speak of.
Summary
Easy to use for brief, informal site survey. I downloaded it and within few minutes had a wifi map of our apartment building. I noticed heavy overlap right on top of our router, moved it, and now I get better signal. Thanks for this great tool!
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"Simple, fast and free!"
Version: NetSpot 1.0
Pros
It's a great idea to make such app for Mac users.
Cons
At the moment I can't find any.
Summary
Really very simple app which can save money. Reliable as for the Beta stage. Keep up the good work!
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