inSSIDer vs RIPE Atlas
inSSIDer
oscium.com
RIPE Atlas
atlas.ripe.netSide by side
| Figure | inSSIDer | RIPE Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16.67/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Network Diagnostic Software | 9.0 (#2) | 8.4 (#9) |
| Documentation | Oscium's support center provides user guides, getting-started material, release notes, videos and troubleshooting articles for inSSIDer. | Documentation includes getting-started guides, how-to procedures, troubleshooting, API manuals, endpoint references, release notes and security disclosures. |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Monument, Colorado, United States | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Purpose | inSSIDer visualizes Wi-Fi networks, shows how neighboring networks affect yours, and offers suggestions for faster, more secure Wi-Fi. | RIPE Atlas is a global network of probes that measures Internet connectivity and reachability in real time. |
| What it does | inSSIDer scans nearby wireless networks and presents signal, channel, width, Wi-Fi generation, data-rate and security information. | RIPE Atlas is a global network of probes and anchors that actively measures Internet connectivity and makes data available through maps, visualisations and APIs. |
Plans
In their own words
inSSIDer
inSSIDer is Wi-Fi analysis software that visualizes nearby networks and helps show how they affect a local connection. For access points, it displays channel, channel width, signal strength, Wi-Fi generation, maximum data rate, and security. Its Channels Table shows channel occupancy to help users identify a relatively quiet option. The software can scan a local network for connected devices and identify the type and name of many of them. It also checks Wi-Fi configuration and describes what is working well, what could improve, and what needs fixing. The free download provides Wi-Fi scanning and visualization and requires a free Oscium account. MetaGeek Plus adds packet capture, RF spectrum analysis, network snapshots, client traffic analytics, cloud sync, and team collaboration; Plus features are currently Windows-only. The free scanner uses the Wi-Fi adapter in a Windows laptop, while inSSIDer is listed for Windows and macOS. A Wi-Fi scanner cannot directly see interference from non-Wi-Fi devices such as Bluetooth, microwaves, or cordless phones. MetaGeek Plus costs $200/yr.
RIPE Atlas
RIPE Atlas is a global probe network for measuring Internet connectivity and reachability in real time. Most collected results are freely available to browse, download or use, including for people without a probe or RIPE NCC account. Users with enough credits can schedule their own ping, DNS, traceroute and SSL certificate measurements through the portal or API, with settings such as address family and interval. The network also runs built-in measurements automatically, some of which provide historical records spanning years. Eligible new users can claim a one-time grant of 50,000 free credits, while connected probe hosts earn credits. Probe-host applications are assessed by location; approved applicants receive a probe by post at no charge. Software probe options include Linux, Raspbian, Docker and OpenWRT. RIPE Atlas offers REST and streaming APIs, as well as command-line tools requiring Python. It is listed for web, API, Linux and macOS, with additional platform support including BSD and Turris; Windows is experimental. Probe IP addresses can appear in measurements, but personal email addresses are not shown.