在Digital Citizen，我们回顾了许多无线路由器和网状WiFi系统。在我们的审查中，我们分析了我们所在地区的无线频谱(wireless spectrum)，以便我们了解无线信号如何演变以及我们正在审查的设备的能力。过去，我们为此任务使用了多种工具。有些过去是免费的，但现在变得相当昂贵。最近，我们切换到了NetSpot，我们喜欢使用它。这就是为什么这个应用程序是市场上最好的无线频谱(wireless spectrum)分析仪之一，以及为什么我们将在未来对无线路由器和其他系统设备的所有评论中使用它：
注意：(NOTE:)我们审查了免费版和专业版的NetSpot 2.8.1.600。
NetSpot：它对谁有好处？
NetSpot 是以下方面的绝佳选择：
- 想要改善其无线网络(wireless network)设置和覆盖范围的家庭用户
- 需要免费解决方案进行基本WiFi 分析的用户(WiFi analysis)
- 需要对WiFi(WiFi)网络进行高级分析和故障排除的 IT 专业人员
- 需要价格合理的工具进行高级WiFi 分析的用户(WiFi analysis)
优点和缺点
关于 NetSpot 有很多好话要说：
- 免费用于基本的WiFi 分析(WiFi analysis)
- 易于(Easy)下载、安装和使用，适合初学者和高级用户
- 无需提供个人资料即可免费使用产品
- 它提供了您需要了解您所在地区的WiFi情况的所有数据(WiFi)
- 它包括许多可视化工具和图表，用于改进无线频谱的可视化(wireless spectrum)
- 它的价格比其他同类产品更实惠
我们喜欢使用NetSpot，唯一的缺点是它的用户文档只能在线获得。
判决
NetSpot是一款出色的工具，可用于分析您所在地区的无线频谱(wireless spectrum)以及解决问题。如果您想尽可能优化您的WiFi配置，您至少应该使用免费版本的应用程序进行快速分析。(WiFi)NetSpot易于使用，适合初学者和高级用户；它提供大量数据，当您需要购买Pro 许可证(Pro license)时，成本低于同类产品。我们向所有读者强烈推荐它。
使用NetSpot 应用程序的免费版本(NetSpot app)
下载并安装 NetSpot(Downloading NetSpot)是一个简单的过程。虽然NetSpot要求您输入电子邮件地址(email address)以加入他们的时事通讯，但这不是强制性步骤，您可以免费下载NetSpot，而无需提供任何个人信息。NetSpot适用于macOS X 和 Windows(macOS X and Windows)。当您运行免费版本时，每次都会通知您升级到付费PRO 版本(PRO version)后会得到什么。单击(Click)或点击继续(Continue)，您可以使用该应用程序及其主要功能。
免费版NetSpot是一款出色的应用程序，可用于分析和可视化您所在地区的无线频谱(wireless spectrum)。对于您所在区域中的每个WiFi 网络(WiFi network)，您会看到：
- 其 SSID 或网络名称
- 发出信号的路由器或无线接入点(access point)的MAC 地址(MAC address)
- 网络的别名（如果您在应用程序中设置）
- 带有信号强度历史的图表(strength history)
- 以 dBm 为单位测量的当前信号强度，最小、最大和平均信号，网络信号的电平(network signal)
- 发射信号的无线频段、使用的频道以及(wireless band)频道(frequency channel)的宽度（20、40 或 80 MHz），
- 发射无线信号的设备的供应商
- 使用的安全性或加密类型
- 用于网络的无线模式(wireless mode)或标准：802.11ac、802.11n 等
- 您所在地区最后一次看到该网络的时间。
如果您不了解NetSpot在其默认视图(default view)中使用的所有技术术语，您可以查看这本词典：NetSpot 和 Wi-Fi 相关科学中使用的所有聪明词解释(All the clever words used in NetSpot and Wi-Fi related science explained)。这将我们带到了这个应用程序唯一的小缺点：它的用户文档只能在线(only online)获得。此外，其中一些引用了NetSpot的旧版本和功能，这可能会让一些用户感到困惑。
当您双击或无线网络时，您可以访问其他类型的数据。首先(First)，您可以看到其信号强度演变的图表，并将其与您所在地区的其他网络进行比较。
您还可以以文本形式查看相同的数据，每五秒进行一次新测量。
然后，您可以访问 2.4 GHz和 5 GHz频段，查看您选择的网络使用的信道，以及它们如何重叠。此数据可用于改进无线网络(wireless network)的设置，以便您使用其他网络不那么拥挤的信道。
所有免费功能使NetSpot成为分析您所在地区无线频谱(wireless spectrum)的出色应用程序。您可以使用它提供的所有数据来改进您的无线网络(wireless network)设置，以便您使用不那么拥挤的信道，并改善无线路由器(wireless router)或发射WiFi的(WiFi)接入点(access point)的位置。使用NetSpot，您可以查看您的无线信号在哪里较弱，并更改您的路由器或无线(router or wireless)接入点(access point)的位置，从而获得更好的信号强度。
免费版本非常适合家庭使用(home use)，或具有包含一些无线设备的无线网络的小型企业。当您需要分析具有许多无线接入点的大面积区域或多层住宅时，您应该购买包含多个有用功能的PRO 版本(PRO version)，用于分析复杂的无线网络。
NetSpot Pro解锁高级视觉分析和数百个(analysis and hundreds)数据点
Netspot的Pro 版本(Pro version)解锁了一些对更高级设置有用的功能。您可以使用测量(Survey)选项卡加载您所在区域的平面图(floor plan)，然后在多个位置进行测量。这些计划可以是您想要的任何图像格式(image format)，从BMP到JPG到PNG等等。您可以通过视觉方式了解无线信号在某个位置、楼层和房间中的变化情况。
您还可以查看其他有用的数据，如信号干扰比、无线接入点数量、下载速度(download speed)、无线传输速率(transmission rate)等数据。
NetSpot Pro应用程序可让您轻松查看网络中的薄弱环节，以便您采取改进措施。Pro版本可用于每个项目分析 50 个区域，拍摄多达 50 个数据快照，每个热图使用多达 500 个数据点。如果您需要更多的数据和更多的测量，那么您正在处理一个高度复杂的设置，您需要购买NetSpot的企业版(Enterprise version)。
专业版(Pro version)允许您将测量数据导出为PDF 、(PDF) PNG 、(PNG) CSV和(CSV)其他格式。这样您就可以在其他高级工具中使用收集到的数据，从而获得您想要的结果。
你喜欢 NetSpot 应用程序吗？
我们喜欢免费版和专业版的NetSpot应用程序。(NetSpot)如果您想了解您所在地区的无线频谱(wireless spectrum)，优化您的设置和设置，您应该使用这个应用程序。试试看，看看它是如何工作的，并在下面发表评论(comment below)。您对NetSpot(NetSpot)有何体验？您(Are)对这个应用程序以及它所提供的内容感到满意吗？
NetSpot review: a great app for WiFi analysis and troubleshooting!
Here at Digital Citizen, we review many wireless routers and mesh WiFi systems. In our reviews, we analyze the wireless spectrum in our area, so that we understand how the wireless signal evolves and how capable the device that we are reviewing is. In the past, we used several tools for this task. Some used to be free but now have become rather expensive. Recently, we switched to NetSpot, and we enjoy using it. Here is why this app is one of the best wireless spectrum analyzers on the market, and why we will use it in all our future reviews of wireless routers, and other system devices:
NOTE: We reviewed NetSpot 2.8.1.600, both in the free and Pro version.
NetSpot: Who is it good for?
NetSpot is an excellent choice for:
- Home users that want to improve their wireless network settings and coverage
- Users who need a free solution for basic WiFi analysis
- IT professionals who need to perform advanced analysis and troubleshooting for WiFi networks
- Users who need a tool with an affordable price for advanced WiFi analysis
Pros and cons
There are many good things to say about the NetSpot:
- It is free to use for basic WiFi analysis
- Easy to download, install, and use, both for beginners and advanced users
- It is not mandatory to provide personal data to use the product for free
- It provides all the data you need to understand what is going on with the WiFi in your area
- It includes many visual tools and charts, for improved visualization of the wireless spectrum
- Its pricing is more affordable than that of other similar products
We loved using NetSpot, and the only downside we could find is that its user documentation is available only online.
Verdict
NetSpot is an excellent tool for analyzing the wireless spectrum in your area, and for troubleshooting problems. If you want to configure your WiFi as optimally as possible, you should at least make a quick analysis with the free version of the app. NetSpot is easy to use, both for beginners and advanced users; it offers lots of data and, when you need to purchase a Pro license, the cost is smaller than that of similar products. We highly recommend it to all our readers.
Using the free version of the NetSpot app
Downloading NetSpot and installing it, is a straightforward process. While NetSpot asks you to enter an email address to join their newsletter, that is not a mandatory step, and you can download NetSpot for free, without providing any personal information. NetSpot is available both for macOS X and Windows. When you run the free version, you are informed each time about what you get from upgrading to the paid PRO version. Click or tap Continue, and you can use the app and its main features.
The free version of NetSpot is a great app for analyzing and visualizing the wireless spectrum in your area. For each WiFi network in your zone, you see:
- its SSID or the network name
- the MAC address of the router or wireless access point that is emitting the signal
- the alias of the network (if you set it in the app)
- a graph with the signals strength history
- the current signal strength measured in dBm, the minimum, maximum and average signal, the level of the network signal
- the wireless band on which signal is emitted, the channel used, and the width of the frequency channel (20, 40 or 80 MHz),
- the vendor of the device emitting the wireless signal
- the security used or the type of encryption
- the wireless mode or the standard used for the network: 802.11ac, 802.11n, etc
- when the network was last seen in your area.
If you do not understand all the technical terms used by NetSpot in its default view, you can check this dictionary: All the clever words used in NetSpot and Wi-Fi related science explained. This takes us to the only minor negative of this app: its user documentation is available only online. Also, some of it references older versions and features of NetSpot, which may be confusing to some users.
When you double-click or a wireless network, you get access to other types of data. First, you can see a graph with the evolution of its signal strength, and compare it with that of other networks, in your area.
You can also see the same data in text form, with a new measurement every five seconds.
Then, you can access the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, to see the channels used by the networks that you selected, and how they overlap. This data is useful in improving the settings of your wireless network so that you use channels that are less crowded by other networks.
All the free features make NetSpot an excellent app for analyzing the wireless spectrum in your area. You can use all the data it provides to improve the settings of your wireless network, so that you use channels that are less crowded, and improve the location of the wireless router or the access points that emit your WiFi. Using NetSpot, you can see where your wireless signal is weaker, and change the location of your router or wireless access point, so that you get better signals strength.
The free version is perfect for home use, or for small businesses with wireless networks that include a few wireless devices. When you need to analyze a large area with many wireless access points, or a multi-floor home, you should purchase the PRO version which ads several useful features, for analyzing complex wireless networks.
NetSpot Pro unlocks advanced visual analysis and hundreds of data points
The Pro version of Netspot unlocks several features that are useful for more advanced setups. You can use the Survey tab to load a floor plan of your area, and then conduct measurements in several locations. The plans can be in any image format you desire, from BMP to JPG to PNG, and so on. You get to see how the wireless signal evolves in a location, across floors and rooms, in a visual way.
You can also view other useful data like the signal to interference ratio, the number of wireless access points, the download speed, the wireless transmission rate and other data.
The NetSpot Pro app makes it easy to view weak spots in your network so that you can take measures for improvement. The Pro version can be used to analyze 50 zones per project, take up to 50 snapshots of data, and use up to 500 data points per heatmap. If you need even more data and more measurements, then you are dealing with a highly complex setup, and you need to purchase the Enterprise version of NetSpot.
The Pro version allows you to export data from your measurements into PDF, PNG, CSV and other formats. This way you can use the collected data in other advanced tools so that you get the results you want.
Do you like the NetSpot app?
We like the NetSpot app both in its free and Pro versions. If you want to understand the wireless spectrum in your area, optimize your settings and your set up, you should use this app. Try it out, see how it works and comment below. What is your experience with NetSpot? Are you pleased with this app and what it has to offer?
