NetSpot is a software tool for wireless network assessment, scanning, and surveys, analyzing Wi-Fi coverage and performance.[1] It runs on Mac OS X 10.6+ and Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Netspot supports IEEE 802.11be, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE 802.11g wireless networks and uses the standard Wi-Fi network adapter and its Airport interface to map radio signal strength and other wireless network parameters, and build reports on that. NetSpot was released in August 2011.[2]

NetSpot
DeveloperEtwok Inc.
Initial releaseAugust 2011; 14 years ago (2011-08) (Mac OS X)
February 2016; 10 years ago (2016-02) (Windows)
Stable release
5.1.4971 (macOS) August 2025; 9 months ago (2025-08)
5.1.0.707 (Windows) August 2025; 9 months ago (2025-08)
Written inObjective-C
Operating systemMac OS X 10.6+,
Windows 7 and later,
Android OS 8.0+,
iOS 15.5+
Platformx86
Available inEnglish,
French,
German,
Portuguese,
Spanish,
Japanese,
Russian
TypeWireless site survey
Licensefree, or paid
Websitewww.netspotapp.com

Functions

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NetSpot provides all professional wireless site survey features for Wi-Fi and maps coverage of a living area, office space, buildings, etc.[3] It provides visual data to help analyze radio signal leaks, discover noise sources, map channel use, optimize access point locations. The application can also perform Wi-Fi network planning: the data that are collected help to select channels and placements for new hotspots. Survey reports can be generated in PDF format.

Usual uses

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  • Mapping Wi-Fi
  • Mapping Wi-Fi signal strength[4]
  • Optimizing networks[5]
  • Trouble-shooting networks[6]
  • Visualizing wireless networks[7]
  • Diagnosing signal problems[8]
  • Analyzing wireless network coverage[9]

See also

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  • iStumbler – an open-source utility to find wireless networks and devices in Mac OS X
  • KisMAC – a wireless network discovery tool for Mac OS X
  • WiFi Explorer – a wireless network scanner for Mac OS X

References

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  1. Matt Elliott. "Find the dead spots in your Wi-Fi network with NetSpot". Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  2. "NetSpot offers free Wi-Fi network surveying software". August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  3. Reich, Matt (February 3, 2012). "NetSpot: WiFi Site Survey for the Rest of Us". NetSpot: WiFi Site Survey for the Rest of Us «  Mac.AppStorm. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017.
  4. "Create a WiFi signal strength map with NetSpot for Mac :: by Techerator". 5 January 2012.
  5. "NetSpot helps you optimize your Wi-Fi networks :: by Macworld". 2011-11-29.
  6. "Trouble-shoot your WiFi network with NetSpot : by Dr. Macenstein". Macenstein. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023.
  7. Webster, Mark (26 September 2011). "NetSpot WiFi visualisation software". mac-nz. Archived from the original on 9 April 2012.
  8. "Diagnose Wi-Fi Signal Problems With NetSpot :: Lifehacker". 2 December 2011.
  9. "Analyze Wireless Network Coverage In Mac With NetSpot Survey Software :: by Addictivetips". 16 August 2011.
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