Five Wi-Fi mapping tools reviewed

Best WiFi Heatmap Software in 2026

NetSpot is the easiest recommendation for most homes, small offices, plus independent technicians. TamoGraph or Hamina makes more sense for demanding RF design work.

9.2 /10
NetSpot takes the top spot It balances approachable surveys, predictive planning, broad platform support, plus a sane one-time price.
Editor's Pick
Quick answer

NetSpot is the best WiFi heatmap software for most people in 2026. It turns floor plans into readable coverage maps without requiring specialist hardware, while Pro adds predictive planning plus 23 heatmap views.

Match the tool to the size of the problem

A home user usually needs signal level, SNR, channel overlap, plus a floor-plan survey. NetSpot covers that without special hardware. A consultant validating warehouses or campuses may need spectrum analysis, calibrated survey adapters, GPS, capacity requirements, plus formal reports. That is where TamoGraph, Hamina, Acrylic, or Ekahau start earning their higher cost.

What mattered in this comparison

We compared measured heatmapping, predictive planning, platform coverage, Wi-Fi 7 readiness, reporting, hardware requirements, licensing, plus the effort needed to get a useful first map. Scores favor practical range over raw feature count. A deep enterprise package loses points if it is awkward or wildly expensive for the typical reader.

Best WiFi Heatmap Software Compared

The biggest differences are platform support, pre-deployment modeling, plus what a usable license actually costs.

Tool Platforms Predictive planning Starting paid price Score
1. NetSpot PICK Windows, macOS Yes One-time $199 Pro 9.2
2. TamoGraph Site Survey Windows, macOS Yes $499 / 6 months Pro 8.8
3. Hamina Planner Web browser Yes $980/yr per user 8.5
4. Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps Windows Yes $129 / 1 month 8.2
5. VisiWave Site Survey Windows No $379/yr 7.7

How each one held up

Expand a tool for pros, cons, and what you'll pay.

01

NetSpot Windows, macOS, Android, iOS · Etwok

9.2

NetSpot gave us the cleanest route from a floor plan to a useful coverage map. Survey points are easy to place while walking, while the finished project can show signal level, interference, SNR, channel overlap, AP quantity, plus active throughput results. The Pro edition includes 23 heatmap types, predictive planning, PDF export, plus commercial use.

It is the sensible pick for a house, small office, school, or independent IT contractor. You can start with the free network scanner, though real heatmap creation requires Home or higher. Pro costs $199, which is far below the specialist packages here.

The upside
  • Simple floor-plan calibration
  • Passive, active, predictive survey modes
  • 23 heatmap views in Pro
  • Windows plus macOS desktop support
  • Perpetual license with free minor updates
The catch
  • Free edition cannot create a complete survey
  • Several noise metrics are macOS-only
  • Major-version upgrades may cost extra
Free $0 Nearby-network scanning plus heatmap demos only
Pro $199 Commercial surveys, planning, 23 maps, reports
Download NetSpot
02

TamoGraph Site Survey Windows, macOS · TamoSoft

8.8

TamoGraph is built for technicians who need more than a colored signal map. It covers passive, active, plus predictive surveys, with GPS mapping, spectrum-analysis support, vendor antenna patterns, multi-floor models, plus automatic AP placement.

The tradeoff is cost. Pro starts at $499 for six months, while a perpetual Pro license is $1,999. That makes sense for regular commercial work, yet it is hard to justify for fixing Wi-Fi in one house.

The upside
  • Deep predictive RF modeling
  • Wi-Fi 7 plus 6 GHz support
  • GPS-assisted outdoor surveys
  • Customizable professional reports
  • Windows plus macOS versions
The catch
  • Far more expensive than NetSpot
  • Compatible survey hardware may add cost
  • Dense feature set takes time to learn
Trial $0 Evaluation mode for testing survey workflows
Pro, 6 months $499 Planning, GPS, report customization
Pro perpetual $1,999 Full-featured single-user license
Try TamoGraph
03

Hamina Planner Web app · Hamina Wireless

8.5

Hamina stands out because the planning workspace runs in a browser. Its strongest features are predictive Wi-Fi design, automatic wall detection, multi-floor modeling, 3D analysis, interactive reports, plus wired-network documentation.

At $980 per user each year, it is aimed at network designers rather than occasional troubleshooters. It is excellent for planning a new office before APs arrive, but buyers seeking a low-cost walkaround heatmapper will get better value elsewhere.

The upside
  • No heavy desktop installation
  • Fast predictive planning workflow
  • 2D plus 3D building analysis
  • Wi-Fi 7, BLE, Zigbee, EnOcean planning
  • Interactive browser-based reports
The catch
  • Annual price is steep for home use
  • Best suited to planning work
  • Internet access matters for the browser workflow
Planner $980/yr Per-user predictive network design license
Enterprise Custom Contact Hamina for larger deployments
Open Hamina
04

Acrylic Wi-Fi Heatmaps Windows · Tarlogic

8.2

Acrylic is a practical Windows choice for indoor surveys, outdoor GPS work, predictive design, Wi-Fi quality checks, plus editable reports. Advanced adds monitor-mode capture, client identification, spectrum-analyzer support, SNR analysis, plus 15 heatmap types.

The flexible license periods help if you only need it for one project. Basic begins at $129 for one month. The catch is platform support. There is no native macOS edition, while advanced capture features depend on suitable adapters.

The upside
  • Wi-Fi 7 plus 6 GHz support
  • Indoor, outdoor, GPS survey options
  • Editable DOCX, CSV, KMZ reports
  • Short-term licenses available
  • 15-day evaluation period
The catch
  • Windows only
  • Advanced capture needs compatible hardware
  • Perpetual pricing is costly
Trial $0 15-day evaluation with limitations
Basic $129/mo 11 maps, planning, surveys, editable reports
Advanced $149/mo 15 maps, monitor mode, spectrum support
Get Acrylic Wi-Fi
05

VisiWave Site Survey Windows · AZO Technologies

7.7

VisiWave keeps the field workflow straightforward. Import a floor plan, walk the property, record measurements, then inspect coverage gaps, channel use, co-channel interference, rogue APs, plus signal leakage. GPS collection is available for outdoor projects.

The annual license costs $379 per computer. Its current release does not include predictive modeling, which leaves it behind NetSpot, TamoGraph, Hamina, plus Acrylic for pre-deployment design. The trial also randomizes signal readings, so it cannot validate real coverage.

The upside
  • Simple walk-through collection
  • Works with standard Wi-Fi adapters
  • GPS support for outdoor mapping
  • Clear map-first reports
  • Support plus updates included
The catch
  • Windows only
  • No predictive survey mode in the current release
  • Trial randomizes collected signal values
Trial $0 30 days; readings are randomized
Site Survey $379/yr One computer, updates plus support
Visit VisiWave

Good to know

What is WiFi heatmap software?
It places wireless measurements over a floor plan or geographic map. Colors reveal weak coverage, strong signal areas, interference, poor SNR, channel overlap, or slow throughput.
Which WiFi heatmap tool is best for home use?
NetSpot is the best fit for most homes. Setup is approachable, the Home tier creates real surveys, plus you can use a normal laptop rather than dedicated survey hardware.
Can I make a WiFi heatmap for free?
Free options usually have meaningful limits. NetSpot Free scans nearby networks, but complete desktop heatmap surveys require a paid tier. Trial editions from other vendors may expire, watermark reports, or alter data.
Does NetSpot Free create heatmaps?
The desktop Free edition provides network discovery plus demo visualizations. To collect a complete floor-plan survey, use NetSpot Home, Pro, or Enterprise.
What is the difference between passive plus active surveys?
A passive survey listens to nearby access points, recording signal or channel details. An active survey connects to a network, then measures real performance such as upload speed, download speed, or transmit rate.
What is a predictive WiFi survey?
A predictive survey models coverage before hardware is installed. You draw walls, choose materials, place virtual access points, then inspect estimated signal or interference maps.
Do I need a special WiFi adapter?
Not always. NetSpot plus VisiWave can perform basic surveys with standard adapters. Monitor mode, spectrum analysis, 6 GHz capture, or deeper packet visibility may require specifically supported hardware.
Can an iPhone create a WiFi heatmap?
Mobile apps can map selected measurements, though iOS limits access to some low-level radio data. A laptop remains the better choice for detailed professional surveys, reports, plus predictive planning.
Can Android phones map WiFi coverage?
Yes. NetSpot offers Android survey features, making a phone or tablet useful for quick walk-through mapping. Desktop software still offers broader analysis plus reporting.
How many measurement points should I take?
Use closely spaced points, especially near doors, thick walls, stairwells, elevators, corners, or suspected dead zones. More points usually produce a smoother, more trustworthy map.
What signal level is good for WiFi?
Around -67 dBm is a common target for dependable general use. Voice, roaming, dense client areas, or business-critical applications may need stricter design targets.
Can heatmap software detect interference?
It can show symptoms such as poor SNR, overlapping channels, or competing access points. Detecting non-Wi-Fi interference usually requires a compatible spectrum analyzer.
Is WiFi 7 support necessary?
Only if you survey or design Wi-Fi 7 networks, especially 6 GHz deployments. For a basic 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz home network, it should not drive the purchase.
Which tool is best for outdoor WiFi mapping?
TamoGraph, Acrylic, plus VisiWave support GPS-assisted collection. TamoGraph is the strongest all-around option here if outdoor work must sit beside advanced predictive design.
Is expensive heatmap software more accurate?
Not automatically. Adapter quality, measurement spacing, floor-plan scale, wall modeling, plus survey technique have a large effect. Expensive tools mainly add deeper planning, hardware support, reporting, plus project controls.
Download NetSpot Free start · #1 Pick