We already did a similar listicle with the best Wi-Fi analyzer apps for Android and iOS, and this time, we have recommendations for the best WiFi analyzer software for macOS and Windows.
1. NetSpot
NetSpot is a free and easy-to-use software for analyzing and troubleshooting your Wi-Fi connection. It is one of the better-suited solutions for those who are not well versed with the technology and are struggling to find issues on their network. You can use it to visualize your network with the help of a visual Wi-Fi map that helps in determining the dead zones in an area, so you can manage and optimize your network accordingly. When it comes to troubleshooting network-related issues, NetSpot offers quick and easy diagnosing and troubleshooting to identify connectivity and interference problems. Besides, it also aids with site surveying to map your network and check its efficacy.
Available for: macOS, Windows Download for macOS Download for Windows
2. inSSIDer
inSSIDer is one of the preferred choices for Wi-Fi analyzing on macOS, and it provides access to a variety of essential information about a network, be it the channels in use, signal strength, network security, or any other crucial network parameters. Using these, you can then do both, learn about a network, and troubleshoot it for underlying issues. Moreover, besides Wi-Fi, inSSIDer also offers insights into LAN connections to help determine the devices present on the network, along with options like building a packet capture profile for each device, viewing data rate, and the likes. In addition, if you upgrade to the Pro version, the software even gives you the option to access and save packet capture files for further analysis.
Available for: macOS, Windows Download for macOS Download for Windows
3. AirRadar 5
Air Radar is another wireless network scanner to help you analyze and determine the problems in your network. If you happen to live in an apartment or a building with multiple floors, the software can help you recognize the Wi-Fi channels used by different networks in your site and get rid of network congestion and switch to the one with fewer clients. Moreover, it also gives several network insights with information such as channel bands, type of encryption used, the vendor, active beacons on the network, to name a few. Besides, another interesting feature on the software is GPS integration, which helps identify the best location of a network’s signal with visual representation using a map. Air Radar comes at a premium. However, it does offer a free trial, so you can test the software before spending your money.
Available for: macOS Download for macOS
4. WiFi Explorer
WiFi Explorer is a one-tool-for-all software that provides everything from information related to a network such as the SSID, BSSID, channel, band, security configuration, etc to troubleshooting tools to help you fix the connectivity or some other issues. The software is available in two versions: Standard and Pro. While with the Standard version, you get access to basic analyzing and troubleshooting tools like identifying channel conflicts, configuration conflicts, etc, the Pro extends the functionality even further. Some of the Pro features include the ability to apply enhanced filters for better network discovery, detailed configuration details of networks, support for external Wi-Fi adapters, and third-party integration, among others.
Available for: macOS Download for macOS
5. Acrylic WiFi
Acrylic WiFi, unlike other software in this list, is a set of programs, and one of the preferred services for network analysis. It offers in-depth information about the network, including details about the SSID, BSSID, channels in use, signal strength, as can be found on most WiFi analysis tools. However, what separates it from the rest is the comprehensive look into network stats, with detailed visual maps highlighting the various network parameters. By offering these crucial aspects of the network, it helps you in diagnosing the problems in your network, and in some cases, the cause for such problems, which you can then easily troubleshoot. Although the software is available for free with the Home plan, you can upgrade to the Professional plan to unlock more features and extend your device inventory to unlimited.
Available for: Windows Download for Windows
6. WiFi Analyzer
WiFi Analyzer is a simple network analysis tool for identifying trivial issues on your network. It offers both a Free and a Pro version. On the Free plan, you get an ad-free experience, with access to basic network analysis functionalities that include finding the less cluttered channels, locating the ideal spots for your router/access point, and obtaining information related to an access point like the SSID, vendor name, and security used, to name a few. Whereas, with the Pro, WiFi Analyzer extends your functionalities by adding more features like network filtering, quick and easy connection to a network within the app, using beeper to get signal strength, and support for live tiles to get a glance at your network stats.
Available for: Windows Download for Windows
7. WiFi Commander: 3D Analyze and Monitor
WiFi Commander provides the essential feature set found on most other WiFi analyzer software like scanning the proximity for available networks, getting access to channel details, filtering networks by different parameters, viewing network information such as the vendor name, SSID, MAC address, and security, along with a few others. However, what separates WiFi Commander from most of the usual network analysis services is the use of a 3D analyzer, which offers a detailed visual presentation of channel distributions along with real-time signal level monitoring. The software offers a 30-day free trial, with no ads. After which, if you feel content with the service, you can buy go ahead and make a purchase.
Available for: Windows Download for Windows
