NetSpot vs Vistumbler
NetSpot
netspotapp.comVistumbler
vistumbler.netSide by side
| Figure | NetSpot | Vistumbler |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · Wi-Fi Analyzer Software | 8.3 (#3) | 8.1 (#7) |
| Exports | Survey data can be exported as PDF or CSV, and heatmaps can be saved as PNG. | It supports access point import and export, plus KML and GPX export. |
| Integrations | The features page describes Iperf 3 or custom speed-test servers for active survey throughput testing. | WiFiDB accepts wireless scan uploads, including scans gathered by Vistumbler or other scanners, and creates statistics and maps from them. |
| Privacy | NetSpot says survey, scan, heatmap, network, and location data are processed locally and are not automatically sent to Etwok. | The software can collect GPS and WiFi location data when run, while the website says it does not collect device location unless it is explicitly submitted, such as through WiFiDB. |
| Purpose | NetSpot is a Wi-Fi app for network planning, wireless site surveys, analysis, and troubleshooting. | Vistumbler is an open-source wireless network scanner for Windows that maps and visualises nearby access points using wireless and GPS data. |
| Security | Etwok says it uses access controls and encryption in transit to protect the limited personal data it holds. | The project recommends verifying provided checksums and using standard anti-malware practices when installing. |
| Support | NetSpot provides email support at [email protected]. | The project directs questions about its terms or licensing to its forum or GitLab repository. |
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
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.
Vistumbler
Vistumbler is free, open-source software for scanning nearby wireless access points and mapping them with wireless and GPS data. It finds networks through the Windows Native WiFi API or netsh and supports COM/NMEA GPS receivers. Users can import and export access point data, save KML and GPX files, track scans live in Google Earth, and use audio alerts. The stable release supports Windows 10 and 11 and requires .NET Framework 4. Official releases include an installer, source code, and a portable ZIP; the maker says these downloads do not bundle third-party installers or adware. The project recommends checking available checksums and using standard anti-malware practices during installation. Vistumbler can collect GPS and WiFi location data while running. WiFiDB accepts wireless scan uploads, including data from Vistumbler, and creates statistics and maps. The software is intended for legitimate network analysis and WiFi mapping; its terms prohibit unauthorized network access and monitoring without consent. An experimental MAUI preview is available for Windows and Android, but it remains in development and may have missing features or bugs.