Wifi Channel Scanner Software Mac Rating: 7,6/10 8497 reviews

Since most people use WiFi to access the web nowadays, it is very significant to use WiFi analyzer tools to check your network performance. A WiFi analyzer app helps you detect a WiFi connection and improve your connection speed by freeing you out of the congested areas where signal works poorly. They provide you the best frequencies to improve your network and let you access the web at the highest speed. So today I am going to mention the best WiFi channel analyzer apps for multiple platforms.

WifiInfoView scans the wireless networks in your area and displays extensive information about them, including: Network Name (SSID), MAC Address, PHY Type (802.11g or 802.11n), RSSI, Signal Quality, Frequency, Channel Number, Maximum Speed, Company Name, Router Model and Router Name (Only for routers that provides this information), and more. WiFi Analyzer can help you to identify Wi-Fi problems, find the best channel or the best place for your router/access-point by turning your PC/laptop, tablet or mobile device into an analyzer for your wireless network. The basic version is completely ad-free and additional.

Best wifi analyzer apps for various platforms

Android

(1) WiFi Analyzer

WiFi Analyzer displays the active WiFi networks around you and helps you locate the least congested channel. It is a user-friendly app that shows the network overview of the present networks near you and which channels they are using in real-time. You can also find the channel ratings by tapping on View and check which channel performs the best so that you can choose your preferred channel from your router’s web interface. WiFi Analyzer is a free WiFi analyzer app for Android phone that performs well.

(2) WiFi Channel Analyzer

WiFi Channel Analyzer is a free WiFi analyzer and WiFi channel scanner app that helps you improve your network speed and keeps it consistent. It provides a detailed view of the channel traffic so that you can determine which channel to choose. WiFi Channel Analyzer suggests you the channels with minimum traffic, which will deliver you the highest speed at the best frequencies. You can also check the channel strength and the number of routers using a particular channel.

iOS

(1) Network Analyzer Lite

Network Analyzer Lite is a WiFi analyzer iPhone and a troubleshooting app that diagnoses various problems related to WiFi networks and offers faster and safer browsing. The app is prepared with an efficient WiFi device discovery tool and consists of a WiFi LAN scanner that can detect any device rapidly. Network Analyzer Lite pings the analyzed server and displays the complete WiFi network information with SSID, BSSID, IP address and subnet mask.

(2) WiFi Explorer (Jailbreak only)

WiFi Explorer is an “iOS WiFi analyzer” that can scan, monitor and troubleshoot WiFi networks. WiFi Explorer can instantly identify the channels that create conflicts and fix configuration problems or signal overlapping that create trouble in the connectivity. The app also displays the network name such as SSID, Mac address, band, device manufacturer, maximum data rate, etc. This WiFi analyzer iOS app has an easy to use interface and supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. WiFi Explorer can be used only on jailbroken iPhone and iPad devices via Cydia.

Windows

(1) WiFi Analyzer

WiFi Analyzer for Windows is an effective software that can detect WiFi interference issues and find the best channel for you. It uses your PC/ computer or mobile device as an analyzer for your wireless network and find the best place for your router. WiFi Analyzer also displays the network details to help you learn more about the network and channel you are using. It helps in detecting the network that contains more traffic and provides suggestions to help choose your preferences.

(2) Nirsoft WiFiInfoView

WiFiInfoView is a WiFi analyzer Windows that display the wireless networks around you along with the additional information about them. It displays information like channel number, frequency, the network name (SSID), MAC address, signal quality, router manufacturer and lots of other information that you’d like to know. On selecting a network name from the upper panel, the lower panel displays the WiFi information received from the device. WiFiInfoView is an efficient tool for Windows users and it perfectly works and diagnoses any wireless connection.

Mac

(1) Wireless Diagnostics

Wireless Diagnostics is an integrated WiFi analyzer Mac tool that has the same functionality like the other WiFi spectrum analyzer apps. The tool scans your nearest WiFi networks and displays the available networks and their channels with frequencies. To access Wireless Diagnostics, hold the Option key > click the WiFi icon in the top menu bar of your screen > select Open Wireless Diagnostics. Ignore the appearing wizard and click on the Window menu and choose Utilities. Select the WiFi scan tab > Scan Now. It will display the best 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels and recommend the correct WiFi channels for your router.

(2) WiFi Scanner

WiFi Scanner is another Mac WiFi analyzer app that presents your nearest wireless networks with detailed information like channels, signal strength, MAC address, signal quality, maximum data rate, encryption, etc. It is a simple and fast app that lets you determine the best network for yourself with the minimum congestion and traffic. You can easily connect to your preferred network by clicking on the join button. WiFi Scanner Mac tool (Wifi Scanner) also supports WiFi speed testing, both download, and upload, and offers the speed testing feature to troubleshoot any problem. It also includes an IP scanner to detect unknown devices which are connected to your WiFi network. Few of the access points consists of the advanced features like, displaying their names if configured by the network administrator, display the number of devices which are connected to a specific access point, etc. WiFi Scanner is a full-featured wireless channel scanner for Apple Mac which is rich in features and works best for personal, as well as professional uses.

Simple tips and tweaks to improve your signal strength,

Besides using the best WiFi analysis tools, you can also try a few tricks to improve your network strength and browse online faster.

  • Move the physical antennas of your WiFi router slightly in different directions to find the best speed.
  • Keeps away your router from walls and borders. Remember to keep it slightly away can also improve your network speed.
  • Keep your router away from television, microwave, refrigerator, and any other electronic devices which may create collision in the channels.
  • The easiest way to improve signal strength for Mac users is to relocate the Mac next to the router.
  • It is also recommended to change WiFi channels if there are matching channels from the nearby routers.

We hope you find these apps quite useful and beneficial and avail faster web browsing with our simple tweaks.

WiFi signals are tough to understand. I am walking around in my house and the signal is full. I take a few steps towards the front door and suddenly, there is no signal and I am like what? Within a few days, you learn to identify the areas in your home/office where WiFi signal is the strongest and where it is non-existent.

While all this is counter-productive, there are WiFi analyzer software available for Windows that will help you place your router in the right spot.

Read: How to Share WiFi Without Giving Away Your Password

Why You Need WiFi Analyzer

Every WiFi router claims to have a certain range which gives you a fair idea of what to expect. Unfortunately, this range is a hit or miss and you won’t get the same signal strength in different directions. Why is this?

The signal strength of your router depends on its range and performance, and certain outside factors like interference and obstacles like walls. Even before you install your router, you must find a suitable place to install it. This is why you need a WiFi analyzer so you know where signal strength is the strongest, use heat maps to identify weak areas, and find out which channels the signal is operating on.

WiFi Analyser for Windows

Whether you are using Windows 7, 8 or 10, this article will help you use the best analyzer to find the most optimum position to install the router.

1. WiFi Analyzer

WiFi Analyzer is available on the Microsoft store, a nifty little app that was built for Windows 10 platform. You can search for suitable channels and identify, using heat maps, the best possible point for installing your router. The screen kept turning off though.

Yours is not the only network in the vicinity. It will identify the remaining ones that are interfering with yours. Each channel is given a star rating so you can easily choose the best.

WiFi Analyzer turned my Windows laptop into an analyzer allowing me to scan my house for access points. Pretty neat. The app is free to use and download but some additional features have been reserved for the premium version.

Pro version will keep the screen always on and add a beeper sound to notify you when an access point is found. There are filter and tile support.

Verdict: WiFi Analyzer for Windows 10 is a good app if you have the right OS. The free version is good enough but if you need more details, consider in-app purchases.

Download WiFi Analyzer (Freemium)

2. Netcut

Netcut is a solid network debugging and investigating tool that was originally built to be a backend solution. It not only works in Windows but also iOS and Android. Unlike WiFi Analyzer above which can be used by beginners and pros alike, Netcut is more suitable for professionals and office use.

Scan and analyze all the IP addresses on your network. Advanced features include ARP protocol using which you can manage user bandwidth and stop network abuse. The best thing about Netcut is that it let you kick people off your WiFi network without requiring any access to your router.

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Also Read: See What Others Are Browsing on Your WiFi

Sometimes, nearby networks can interfere as we previously discussed. Netcut can help prevent this interference and boost the connectivity range and performance of your router.

Verdict: Netcut is available for Windows 7/8/10. Netcut is an advanced WiFi analyzer tool that can be a little difficult to understand at first but once you master it, you will find it very useful.

Download Netcut (Free)

3. NetSpot

Most WiFi Analyzers for Windows have little to offer in terms of UI and aesthetics. NetSpot is a WiFi analyzer that has a good looking interactive UI that is fun to use. It comes with two different modes: Survey and Discover.

The Survey tool is for creating heat maps that you can then use to identify networks and points in your area. Discover tool, on the other hand, takes snapshots of WiFi networks in the vicinity. Together, they will help you choose the best spot, fight signal interference, and increase signal strength.

NetSpot is a premium tool that will cost you $49 for the home edition. This is for 2 users and cannot be used commercially. It will offer only 2 snapshots of two different zones with a max of 50 data points per zone.

Verdict: NetSpot is a powerful software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals but slightly expensive for home users. Professionals and companies can afford to pay a one-time premium.

Download NetSpot (Paid)

4. WiFi Analyzer Tool

Another WiFi Analyzer Tool from Microsoft store but this time, it is available for Windows 7 and 8 users too. It will scan for all the WiFi networks around you with a handy spectrum chart that helped me identify networks that were overlapping with each other.

This way, you can easily find the best available channel to connect your router to. An easy to use tool for home users who don’t want fancy features but a simple tool to get the job done. Singal levels tend to move up and down which is why WiFi Analyzer Tool will also show historical data.

Both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands are supported. You can save charts as images however that is not a big deal. You can take screenshots anyways.

It comes with two themes, light and dark, and a beeper for signal strength. At the time of writing this article, the app was available for free, however, usually, you can buy it for just $4.95 which isn’t much.

Download WiFi Analyzer Tool (Paid)

5. inSSIDer

inSSIDer is another advanced WiFi analyzer tool that was built for professionals more than home users. They have three plans available to choose from. At $149, inSSIDer Office is the most affordable plan but doesn’t support 2.4 GHz channel and spectrum leaving much to be desired.

Meant for offices with big networks, inSSIDer’s strength lies in its ability to handle large networks, accuracy, and reliability. It can monitor channel saturation and identify the sources of interference.

inSSIDer will track and record WiFi signal strength over the period of time so you can compare which ones are working the best. The data is recorded in dBm. I like the ability to perform spot routine checks to make sure I was connected to the most optimal channel.

Wifi Channel Scanner Software Mac Free

Verdict: inSSIDer is an expensive tool that was built for office use more than homes. It is a powerful tool and well worth the money if you have enough number of PCs in the network.

Download inSSIDer (Paid)

6. SpeedTest Master

Whereas inSSIDer is an advanced tool that will help you make more informed decisions in the office, not everyone is looking for something so complex. Some, like me, want a point and click solution that will quickly tell me just what I need to know.

SpeedTest Master will quickly analyze network speed, latency, and download/upload speeds. It will then analyze the nearby networks. Most WiFi analyzers don’t allow users to switch networks but SpeedTest Master does. You can switch even if you are using cable network.

Also Read:How To Kick Someone Off Your WiFi Network

The whole process is quick and easy and won’t take more than a few moments. All the tests that you have performed will be saved just like in previous Windows WiFi analyzer tools.

Verdict: SpeedTest Master’s strength lies in its simplicity. A one-click solution that will quickly provide results and tell you what to do. The app is completely ad-free as all previous Microsoft WiFi analyzers were.

Download SpeedTest Master (Freemium)

7. Vistumber

Wifi Channel Scanner Software MacWifi

Apart from the usual WiFi analyzer for Windows features that we have seen so far in the above-mentioned apps, Vistumber also has support for live Google Earth and GPS. When you run the app for the first time, it will collect data like available network, signal strength, location, and encryption and plot everything on a map.

Vistumber is more suitable if you are constantly moving in a car and have a Windows laptop. This app will help you find suitable networks.

Vistumber is completely free to download and use.

Wireless Channel Scanner Mac

Verdict: Vistumber is free and useful if you are traveling. The app is useful but comes with a dated UI that will fail to impress anyone.

Download Vistumber (Free)

Wifi Channel Scanner Mac Free

8. WiFi Commander

WiFi commander has a beautiful UI with 3D graphing capabilities that makes the whole WiFi and network analyzing process fun and engaging. If you have a touch-screen laptop, you can interact with the 3D visual representation of the channel distribution.

WiFi Commander was built with Windows 10 in mind and hence is not available for Windows 7 or 8. Most WiFi analyzers will check signal strength and display it but this app will show it in real time. This will help you join the best network based on the most accurate and recent data.

The app is ad-free and lightweight. At the time of writing this article, it was available for $4.99.

Verdict: WiFi Commander is rich in visual representation and real-time gathering and presentation of data which makes it both fun and useful.

Download WiFi Commander (Paid)

9. WiFiInfoView

Nirsoft is our favorite site that is known for making useful software and apps and making them available to the netizens for free. WiFiInfoView shows a lot of info about the networks in the surrounding area including, but not limited to, SSID, PHY type, speed, company name, and more.

There is a handy summary mode available which is sort and display all the useful data neatly. You can sort this data by channel number, company name etc.

Wifi Channel Scanner Software Mac 10

Verdict: WiFiInfoView offers a functional UI which will help you take quick decisions. It shows a lot of data which can be easily filtered and sorted.

Download WiFiInfoView (Free)

Wifi Scanner Free Download

10. GlassWire

GlassWire brings more to the table and in a beautiful layout. Apart from the usual networking tools like finding channels and optimizing networks to connect to, GlassWire will also show you who your Windows PC is talking to.

The data that is being transmitted and the apps that are behind it. There is a firewall in case you want to block an IP or an app for security reasons.

GlassWire is free to use however there are upgrades available too. Starting at $39, you get additional features like lockdown mode, 6-month history of logs and data, but sadly, license for only a single computer. If you want more, there are other plans.

Verdict: GlassWire packs a lot of features in a beautiful UI that will help you make smart decisions. The free version should be enough for most users.

Download GlassWire (Freemium)

Wrapping Up: WiFi Analyzers for Windows

All of the tools mentioned in this list work. The only difference lies in their ability to solve problems on different levels, and they are compatible with different versions of Windows. Depending on whether you need a WiFi analyzer for your home or office, you can use one of the above apps.