Professional software for wireless site survey and Wi-Fi analysis

NetSpot for Mac

NetSpot for Mac

  -  25.7 MB  -  Demo
  • Latest Version

    NetSpot 6.0.6016 LATEST

  • Review by

    Daniel Leblanc

  • Operating System

    macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Etwok, LLC / External Link

  • Filename

    NetSpot.dmg

NetSpot for Mac is a comprehensive wireless survey tool for Mac users, which allows collecting, visualizing and analyzing Wi-Fi data using any MacBook.

In just a couple of clicks you can load your area map, point to your location on the map and start collecting Wi-Fi data around you.

Note: Instead of buying a license for this app, at Setapp you could get access to this one plus another 230+ commonly used macOS apps for only $9.99/month. CLICK HERE to download and install all the apps you need for a single monthly price!

NetSpot for macOS creates heatmaps of your wireless network, showing you dead zones without coverage, so that you can place hotspots (Access Points) correctly.

Using the visualized map of collected wireless data, you can also see channel overlap, which will help you to optimize your Wi-Fi network.

Features and Highlights

Visualize Your Wireless Network
Efficiency-wise, your Wi-Fi network needs hotspots placed correctly and radio channels assigned in a proper way: the visual Wi-Fi map you get thanks to NetSpot lets you see all dead zones without coverage and optimize hotspots' placements; you can see channels' load and decide how to use them ideally.

Wireless Network Planning
The tool is also an amazing wireless survey tool for Wi-Fi planning. Load a map, collect some wireless site survey data, build a comprehensive heatmap of your network. Now viewing each channel separately is as easy as a pie. Once you locate an empty channel with no wireless networks - it's the optimal selection for a new Wi-Fi network. The app also lets you easily select channels for new Wi-Fi hotspots with minimal signal to noise ratio.

Analyze your Wi-Fi Coverage
The app is the easiest native wireless site survey software for Mac. You need just a few clicks to load your office plan or area map and start a network site survey. Just point to where you are on the map and the tool starts measuring wireless signal right away, move around, and collect Wi-Fi data. That's it: now you have all the needed info to analyze radio signal leakages, discover noise sources, map channel usage, locate effective access points, etc.

Native Cocoa app, simple and fast
WLAN site survey software has always been something for experts only. The app changes that today! The app wireless survey tool is really simple and accessible to Mac users of all levels. Simple deployment, no need for specific hardware, runs on any MacBook with Mac OS X 10.6+... it's a breeze to use. Net Spot is always up-to-date and is really small in size, only ~3MB to download, it brings the power of professional wireless survey software into your house, office or campus. Runs on a standard MacBook. Uses standard 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network adapters. Actually free!

How to Use

Launch NetSpot and select "Discover" or "Survey" mode

In "Survey" mode, upload or create a new map

Walk through the area to collect Wi-Fi data points

Analyze heatmaps to identify signal strength and issues

Switch to "Discover" mode for real-time Wi-Fi analytics

Export reports for documentation or troubleshooting

System Requirements
  • macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later
  • Intel-based or Apple Silicon Mac
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • 100 MB available disk space
  • Wi-Fi card capable of passive scanning (for Survey mode)
PROS
  • Easy-to-use interface for all users
  • Powerful Wi-Fi heatmap visualization
  • Supports active and passive surveys
  • Real-time Wi-Fi scanning and metrics
  • Exportable professional-grade reports
CONS
  • Limited features in free version
  • No Android version available
  • Requires manual map input
  • Survey mode needs physical movement
  • Some features need Pro license
Note: Requires 64-bit processor. Some features like active scanning, professional visualization and advanced network management are disabled.

Also Available: Download NetSpot for Windows

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • NetSpot 6.0.6016 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    NetSpot 6.0.6016 Screenshot 1
  • NetSpot 6.0.6016 Screenshot 2
  • NetSpot 6.0.6016 Screenshot 3
  • NetSpot 6.0.6016 Screenshot 4

What's new in this version:

NetSpot 6.0.6016
Multi-floor planning:
Design Wi-Fi networks for entire buildings — assess all levels:
- The most exciting and significant new feature in NetSpot 6 is the ability to create multi-floor Wi-Fi designs and model signal distribution not just horizontally, but vertically — from the basement to the top floor

Real-time preview when placing APs on your floor plan:
- You can immediately see how the signal will travel around your designated space, even before the heatmaps are generated

Up to 18× faster heatmap generation:
- Get your Wi-Fi heatmaps up to 18 times faster compared to previous versions of NetSpot, depending on the size of your project, thanks to new advanced algorithms

Improved prediction accuracy in Wi-Fi Planning:
- Signal attenuation through walls and floors is calculated more precisely, providing results that more closely match real-world measurements

Adjustable level of detail in heatmaps:
- Adjust the level of heatmap detail when planning your Wi-Fi coverage directly from the sidebar to match your project's requirements and get faster results

Updated project info:
- Easy access to a centralized information sheet about each of your projects via the “Get Info” menu option

Modernized interface for the newest macOS:
- Adapted to the latest macOS guidelines with redesigned tooltips and a toolbar indicator showing which mode is currently activated

Hundreds of subtle tweaks:
- Lots and lots of fixes and improvements in Survey and Planning modes, as well as report generation — for an even smoother, faster experience and, most importantly, the most accurate and realistic heatmaps yet


NetSpot 5.1.4971
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 5.1.4967
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 5.0.4933
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 5.0.4925
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 5.0.4924
New additions to the NetSpot:
- Add antennas to your APs in Planning mode. Lots of configuration options as well as antenna import from file.
- Two new heatmap types: secondary signal and secondary signal troubleshooting
- Heatmaps can now be cropped

Updates, enhancements and improvements:
- Toolbar for zones and snapshots management
- The Planning mode algorithms for even more precise heatmaps

Fixed:
- Lots of minor fixes for an enhanced usability and stability


NetSpot 4.0.4502
Improved:
- Improved algorithms for faster and more efficient heatmap generation
- Updated empty snapshot icon
- Redesigned About section for temporary licenses

Fixed:
- Minor bug fixe


NetSpot 4.0.4462
Fixed:
- Minor issue related to adding access points in Planning mode


NetSpot 4.0.4453
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.2.4095
- Subtle bug fixes and improvements throughout


NetSpot 3.2.538
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.1.352
- Added:  You can now add your own router with custom simulation parameters to a Predictive Survey project if a specific router brand and/or model is not yet available in NetSpot; also very useful when you need to see how custom settings may affect your future WiFi.
- Added:  Select and manage multiple building objects together while working with a Planning project. Move, resize, delete, change parameters, copy and paste.
- Added:  It is now possible to set the transmit power and channel width for Access Point bands in Planning mode.
- Improved:  More Access Point brands and models are added to Planning mode consistently.
- Improved:  A way more advanced functionality of exporting, importing and merging snapshots.
- Fixed:  Subtle bug fixes and improvements throughout.


NetSpot 3.0.478.0
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.0.444.0
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.0.424.0
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.0.411
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 3.0.405
- Change log not available for this version


NetSpot 2.16.1071
Updates, enhancements and improvements:
- Implemented a workaround for a bug with Location Services in macOS 13.5 and 14 beta
- Improved project export in macOS 13.5+
- Updated WiFi routers' vendor list

Fixed:
- Fixed iperf testing
- Other minor enhancements and fixes


NetSpot 2.15.1054
New major features:
- Refreshed and sleek new user interface
- Wireless Discovery Mode: easily identify surrounding Wi-Fi networks
- Troubleshooting Advice: NetSpot now provides advice on how to solve the most common Wi-Fi network issues
- Global NetSpot-wide Preferences
- Wi-Fi network planning with a portable router
- [PRO] Active Scanning
- [PRO] Multi-Floor Scanning
- [PRO] Zone Snapshots
- [PRO] Hidden Network Scanning
- [PRO] Autosave
- [PRO] Advanced Export
- [PRO] Free technician licenses for every PRO and Enterprise users
- Detection of additional AP channels
- Channel width in Discover Mode

Updates, enhancements and improvements:
- Full compatibility with macOS Monterey
- Any data point may now be deleted at any time during the scan
- If the location of an AP isn't quite right, it can now be moved with just a click
- [PRO] Active Scanning with iperf3 support
- [PRO] Automated Troubleshooting Visualizations: Six special troubleshooting visualizations highlight areas of potential problems and provide recommendations
- [PRO] Advanced Network Grouping
- [PRO] Now you can assign custom aliases to your APs to better manage your hotspots
- [PRO] Environment-Based Project Presets
- More informative map indicators now show your scanning progress
- Better exports of visualizations into PDF
- Hovering over any spot on your map will update displayed parameters in real-time
- Improved predictive automatic detection of AP locations
- Now users can rename projects, zones and snapshots