Airport Utility vs Ekahau HeatMapper

Struggling to choose between Airport Utility and Ekahau HeatMapper? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Airport Utility is a Network & Admin solution with tags like wifi, airport, utility, network-settings, firmware.

It boasts features such as Configure and manage AirPort base stations, Configure AirPort Express units, Configure and manage Time Capsules, Change network settings, Manage connected devices, Update firmware, Set up WPA2 encryption and pros including Easy to use interface, Powerful tool for managing Apple wireless devices, Free software from Apple.

On the other hand, Ekahau HeatMapper is a Network & Admin product tagged with wifi, network-planning, heatmaps, access-point-optimization.

Its standout features include Heatmap generation to visualize Wi-Fi coverage and performance, Survey mode to collect Wi-Fi signal data, Floor plan import and AP placement planning, Frequency spectrum analysis, Passive Wi-Fi analysis without connecting to networks, and it shines with pros like Intuitive heatmap visualization, Detailed signal data collection, Optimized AP placement planning, Troubleshooting of Wi-Fi deadzones, Non-intrusive surveying without connecting to networks.

Feature	Airport Utility	Ekahau HeatMapper
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Airport Utility

Description: AirPort Utility is an application developed by Apple that allows users to configure and manage AirPort base stations, AirPort Express units, and Time Capsules. It provides an interface to change network settings, manage connected devices, update firmware, set up WPA2 encryption, and more.

Ekahau HeatMapper

Description: Ekahau HeatMapper is a Wi-Fi planning and survey software tool used to analyze Wi-Fi signal coverage and create heatmaps. It helps optimize access point placement for maximum Wi-Fi coverage and performance.

Key Features Comparison

Airport Utility Features

• Configure and manage AirPort base stations
• Configure AirPort Express units
• Configure and manage Time Capsules
• Change network settings
• Manage connected devices
• Update firmware
• Set up WPA2 encryption

Ekahau HeatMapper Features

• Heatmap generation to visualize Wi-Fi coverage and performance
• Survey mode to collect Wi-Fi signal data
• Floor plan import and AP placement planning
• Frequency spectrum analysis
• Passive Wi-Fi analysis without connecting to networks

Pros & Cons Analysis

Airport Utility

Pros

• Easy to use interface
• Powerful tool for managing Apple wireless devices
• Free software from Apple

Cons

• Only works with Apple devices
• Limited functionality compared to third-party tools
• Not available for Windows

Ekahau HeatMapper

Pros

• Intuitive heatmap visualization
• Detailed signal data collection
• Optimized AP placement planning
• Troubleshooting of Wi-Fi deadzones
• Non-intrusive surveying without connecting to networks

Cons

• Requires site survey with proprietary hardware
• Complex interface with steep learning curve
• Limited reporting and analytics features
• No active network testing capabilities
• Does not support newer Wi-Fi standards fully

Pricing Comparison

Airport Utility

• Free

Ekahau HeatMapper

• Subscription-Based