Kismet vs NetSpot
Kismet
kismetwireless.net
NetSpot
netspotapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Kismet | NetSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 9 |
| Spec score · Wi-Fi Analyzer Software | 7.9 (#10) | 8.3 (#3) |
| Integrations | WIDS alerts can be integrated through live packet and alert REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools. | The features page describes Iperf 3 or custom speed-test servers for active survey throughput testing. |
| Security | The package installation guidance recommends running capture sources with elevated privileges while avoiding running the Kismet server itself as root. | Etwok says it uses access controls and encryption in transit to protect the limited personal data it holds. |
| Support | The project directs users to its documentation and provides a community Discord server. | NetSpot provides email support at [email protected]. |
Plans
NetSpot
- NetSpot FreeFree
- NetSpot Pro$199, paid once
- NetSpot ProPriced on request
- NetSpot EnterprisePriced on request
- NetSpot FreeFree
- NetSpot Enterprise Annual SubscriptionPrice not published
- NetSpot Enterprise Lifetime LicensePrice not published
- NetSpot PRO Annual SubscriptionPrice not published
- NetSpot PRO Lifetime LicensePrice not published
In their own words
Kismet
Kismet is a free, open-source wireless sniffer, intrusion detection system, wardriving tool, and packet capture tool. Depending on hardware and driver support, it can capture Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon, and power meter data. It runs headless as a standalone capture and wireless intrusion detection system, or with a web interface. Linux and macOS are supported directly; Windows use is through WSL. Remote capture forwards capture types over TCP sockets or websockets for centralized collection. Kismet’s kismetdb logfile combines packets, device records, location, and runtime data in an SQLite3-based file. A REST-like API offers JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints. WIDS alerts can be connected through REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools. The project says stationary use is most effective for WIDS; mobile or channel-hopping operation can reduce accuracy and coverage. Its macOS adapter support is limited, and WSL cannot access local hardware interfaces for packet capture, though remote capture is supported. The downloads page lists 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.
NetSpot
NetSpot is a Wi-Fi app for network planning, wireless surveys, analysis, and troubleshooting. Inspector mode shows nearby networks and details including channels, vendors, security type, bands, signal, and noise. Survey mode creates interactive, color-coded heatmaps with more than 20 visualizations and customizable reports. Planning mode supports predictive surveys and network design, including multi-floor planning. Survey data can be exported as PDF or CSV, and heatmaps saved as PNG. Active survey throughput testing can use Iperf 3 or custom speed-test servers. NetSpot says survey, scan, heatmap, network, and location data are processed locally rather than automatically sent to Etwok. Desktop editions support offline activation and can run entirely offline afterward. Optional anonymized, aggregated usage statistics can be disabled in Preferences. The free edition is for personal and evaluation use on macOS and Windows. Paid plans are listed from $199. The seven-day full-featured PRO trial requires a valid corporate email and an explanation for the request.