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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Airport Utility

Airport Utility

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.

Categories:
wifi airport utility network-settings firmware

Airport Utility Features

  1. Configure and manage AirPort base stations
  2. Configure AirPort Express units
  3. Configure and manage Time Capsules
  4. Change network settings
  5. Manage connected devices
  6. Update firmware
  7. Set up WPA2 encryption

Pricing

  • Free

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

Ekahau HeatMapper

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.

Categories:
wifi network-planning heatmaps access-point-optimization

Ekahau HeatMapper Features

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

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based

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