Find out in this report how the two Network Troubleshooting solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed AirMagnet Survey vs. NetAlly EtherScope nXG Report (Updated: June 2024).

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey vs. NetAlly EtherScope nXG

June 2024

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Helped 787,817 peers since 2012

Categories and Ranking

AirMagnet Survey

Ranking in Network Troubleshooting

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Modeling and Simulation (2nd)

NetAlly EtherScope nXG

Ranking in Network Troubleshooting

1st

Average Rating

9.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Diagnostics (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2024, in the Network Troubleshooting category, the mindshare of AirMagnet Survey is 6.3%, down from 8.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetAlly EtherScope nXG is 12.5%, down from 14.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Troubleshooting

Unique Categories:

Network Modeling and Simulation

35.5%

Featured Reviews

David Olofson

Manager at DD&P Services LLC

Oct 12, 2022

It fixes so many problems quickly that we don't regret spending more on high-end tools than most companies

It would be nice to have some more training resources for younger techs. We can use them if we need some assistance, but that usually requires one of us who knows what we're doing to calibrate the programs properly. There's one thing our nXG handhelds do that AirMagnet doesn't do out of the box. The nXG devices can analyze the wired and wireless networks simultaneously and map the networks out. We find it handy. However, if I have that plugged into our older OptiView XG tablets or our laptops, I have no way to analyze both the WiFi and the wired network at the same time and build a single picture with all that data. So far, that's something only our nXG handhelds can do. It would be nice if there were a way to integrate all the network discovery, troubleshooting, and mapping of the WiFi and the wired at the same time. There are almost no products that do that currently. If they managed to do that, they'd probably open up their market pretty quickly.

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John D'Amico

President / System Engineer at KLIPSYS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

May 4, 2023

You can do almost everything with one person and this tool

We have had to use a battery pack unit when embarking on long testing or a series of testing. It is like a mini-computer, so it does require a great deal of battery life. The tool is accessible to both highly skilled and less skilled individuals. However, while all skill levels can use it, the unskilled staff need some background knowledge and training to use it successfully. It is not a simple, test-and-go type of solution. Users need to understand what they are testing and what end results they need. I believe additional online training could solve this issue. Extended video training would be helpful so that less skilled staff members could be assigned training with the opportunity to review the tool. The training that is currently available is helpful, however, it can be a little overwhelming. Training modules could benefit from being more user-friendly and easier to navigate.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Clear and easy to use maps."

"It allows us to prepare more real designs. Later, we validate them with actual surveys."

"We use the solution for Wi-Fi and networks."

"Using the products to ensure the safety of our equipment that we have a lot invested in."

"The most valuable features are the survey, spectrum analysis, and reporting."

"I would like to rate the product as eight of ten."

"The AirMagnet Survey allows you to see the list of APs in the live view. It only supports certain adapters, which can be limiting, but it's also beneficial because these adapters are more comparable to real-life devices like laptops. With Ekahau, Sidekick needs to be used for full features, but I find the Sidekick too strong, which can hamper results. Therefore, I prefer AirMagnet's approach because the adapters provide more realistic readings."

"The benefit is with the ease of use of the software, I am able to show the customer, "Here is what your wireless coverage looks like." It is set up in a fashion that non-technical people can understand it."

More AirMagnet Survey pros

"One of the biggest pros of AirMapper is that you just hit upload to the cloud and you can use anything with a web browser to look at it and manipulate it, view it, and even share it. The fact that you can review it now on any computer that has web access is phenomenal, versus using the client. That's been fantastic."

"The solution’s AirMapper Site Survey app is extremely easy to use. We give it to the technicians and send them out to go do that function. We hand it to the technician who goes onsite, then they take a photo of the overall area of a floor plan and are able to go do that site survey without almost any instruction from any engineer. So, it is very usable for beginner-type techs."

"The most valuable feature is the ability to identify the switchboards, when you plug the EtherScope into the network drop, and all other details about the switch. This is very useful because when you are not in that IDF or network closet but far away from that switch, you can identify the board and then configure the board for your needs, remotely."

"In terms of the solution's full line rate 10-gigabit capability, my other 10 Gb test equipment is much bigger, bulkier, and heavier. One of my ways of assessing the nXG was to compare it with what I knew to be tried and true on 10-gig to make sure that they matched, and they did. It very quickly got my trust. The fact that it can do 10 Gb, without dropping a packet from what I've seen so far — and we used it a lot in that first three months — tells a pretty good story."

"The most valuable features are the WiFi troubleshooting, network validation, and cabling validation, and the fact that it's an all-in-one tool. You don't have to carry different tools. The multi-technology functionality and its ability to do WiFi and wired Ethernet analysis in one device are the best aspects."

"The most valuable part is absolutely being able to assess existing WiFi networks quickly. You get very powerful details of networks, details that you couldn't see unless you had multiple pieces of software and hardware. This does it all in one thing."

"It clearly depicts the information we're looking for on a 10Gig testing, and we can also verify 100Gig links with it between our routing sites."

"I like EtherScope's WiFi scanning, heat map, and load testing. It's an excellent tool that sets you straight, so you don't need to beat around the bush or wait for other people. It's easy to share the reports with other people."

More NetAlly EtherScope nXG pros

Cons

"Less time consumed doing the real surveys."

"The surveying features are in need of improvement, along with general usability."

"But it's definitely a more expensive solution than other ones."

"The user interface needs a lot of improvement. The auto-placement of access points is not accurate."

"It would be nice to have some more training resources for younger techs. We can use them if we need some assistance, but that usually requires one of us who knows what we're doing to calibrate the programs properly."

"I would say some of our newer techs that are going out to job sites can be a little bit intimidated by the interface."

"AirMagnet Survey needs to support Wi-Fi 6E otherwise they can lose to the competition. They also need to allow better grouping of SSIDs to one AP, removing the need to filter manually. At the moment, you can filter by channel or SSID, but grouping all those SSIDs together is a difficult task."

"It'd be nice if it was cheaper, however, you get value for your money."

More AirMagnet Survey cons

"The small screen is a little bit of a handicap. It would be nice if we could, for instance, connect a larger screen to the device, but it's very user-friendly. You're only limited by the size of the screen. That's the only negative aspect of doing surveys with this device."

"The reporting could be better, with more accurate measurements of loss over cables, impedance, etc. The mapping also needs to be improved. You should be able to do free formatting of the topology."

"One point of contention might be that when we were starting it up for the first time, there was a little bit of confusion about registration and getting the proper support plans applied. So, that could be more streamlined, but that's not uncommon in the industry."

"The largest complaint that we get is the battery life on the unit. If you are using it heavily, you get about five hours of usage out of it. In an eight hour day, that is not perfect for us. We would like more battery usage. The battery thing is annoying."

"NetAlly EtherScope nXG's reporting and table qualification could be improved."

"When it works, I love the AirMapper Site Survey app. Currently, my device has a hardware bug that the manufacturer and I are working on actively, to get it fixed or replaced. The 5 gigahertz radio on my device is flaky at best... It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the product itself, as much as it is some kind of unique hardware problem."

"The one thing that it doesn't do well, when it's doing airtime utilization measurements, is that it will classify things as non-802.11, and that isn't correct. What it could do better is make sure that it classifies all traffic that's in the air correctly."

"I use the NetAlly site and one of the things I don't like about the topology map, something I wish I could fix, is that the map kind of jiggles if you don't adjust any of the settings."

More NetAlly EtherScope nXG cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The licensing of AirMagnet Survey is different when compared to Ekahu. It is a third of the cost of Ekahau but there are no dedicated laptops to the Sidekick. AirMagnet allows you to license an adapter and share that adapter."

"For technical support, you need an annual license, but it is not worth it."

"The tool's pricing is medium."

"This product is very expensive."

"The moment we began needing more of the vendor's support, the cost became very high; we switched to another solution."

"There is an annual cost of the solution. There are some additional charges, such as support and maintenance."

"The pricing needs improvement."

"It's very expensive. I wish I could buy a few more and give them to all the people who could use it, or perhaps send it to a client, given that some of its features are easy to use. But sending something worth $8,000 or $9,000 is nerve-racking. It would be nice that if it were a lot less expensive."

"The cost is not cheap but it totally pays for itself because it can do so much."

"I don't consider the pricing to be a problem. It's not a cheap device, but it's a very capable device for the money. It's a good value."

"It's the best 10Gig network tester for the price on the market."

"As a business owner, it was a high price. However, it was well worth it. We have gotten our money out of it and continue to get our money out of it. For the price and usability, it is definitely worth it. The Wi-Fi survey capabilities alone justifies the price. Having all the other tools in it really adds to that."

"Depending on the company, it could be somewhat costly. But just two of these devices can save you thousands upon thousands of dollars."

"It is relatively high-priced and it should certainly not get any more expensive. I would like it to be $1,000 less, and I think everyone would say that. And of course, maintenance is also a recurring cost."

"The stuff is expensive. I really do wish the price would come down. I don't really call support. I haven't had a problem. But it's really expensive and every year I have to pay them a ton of money. I don't want to make up reasons to justify that cost, but I'm not using the support."

More NetAlly EtherScope nXG pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Educational Organization

Government

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

18%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about AirMagnet Survey?

We use the solution for Wi-Fi and networks.

See all answers

What needs improvement with AirMagnet Survey?

AirMagnet Survey doesn't cover certain devices in the system.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for AirMagnet Survey?

We use the solution for Wi-Fi and networks.

See all answers

What do you like most about NetAlly EtherScope nXG?

Being able to do a Wi-Fi walk-around survey with a handheld tool is one of the most valuable features of NetAlly EtherScope nXG.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NetAlly EtherScope nXG?

NetAlly EtherScope nXG is priced too much and needs to come down by about 15 percent of its current price.

See all answers

What needs improvement with NetAlly EtherScope nXG?

NetAlly EtherScope nXG's reporting and table qualification could be improved. The disadvantages of NetAlly EtherScope nXG are its password life and end reporting.

See all answers

Comparisons

Ekahau Site Survey vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 79% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 6% of the time

AirCheck G3 vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 4% of the time

iBwave Wi-Fi vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 3% of the time

More AirMagnet Survey Competitors

LinkRunner vs NetAlly EtherScope nXG

Compared 66% of the time

AirCheck G3 vs NetAlly EtherScope nXG

Compared 15% of the time

LinkSprinter vs NetAlly EtherScope nXG

Compared 11% of the time

More NetAlly EtherScope nXG Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey

June 2024

Download AirMagnet Survey product report

Buyer's Guide

NetAlly EtherScope nXG

June 2024

Download NetAlly EtherScope nXG product report

Also Known As

No data available

EtherScope nXG, EtherScope, netAlly EtherScope, OptiView XG

Learn More

NetAlly

Overview

AirMagnet Survey PRO enables network professionals to design, deploy, and validate Wi-Fi 6 networks for optimal performance, security, and compliance. It also calculates the ideal quantity, placement, and configuration of APs for a successful wireless LAN deployment. AirMagnet Survey PRO goes beyond simply verifying RF coverage by plotting actual end-user network performance in terms of connection speed, throughput, and packet statistics by allowing you to use any Wi-Fi adapter or AirMapper™ Site Survey on the AirCheck™ G2 and EtherScope® nXG. Survey PRO helps you get Wi-Fi installations right the first time, preventing costly rework and user complaints.

Multi-technology, all-in-one handheld network tester that enables engineers and technicians to get more done faster, from deployment to maintenance and documentation of their ever-changing Wi-Fi and Ethernet access networks.

The Etherscope nXG is the the industry’s first handheld analyzer for Wi-Fi 6/6E surveying (with AirMapper™ Site Survey), troubleshooting, and analysis.

Sample Customers

Houston Methodist Hospital, Love's Travel Stops

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey vs. NetAlly EtherScope nXG

June 2024

Free Report: AirMagnet Survey vs. NetAlly EtherScope nXG

Find out what your peers are saying about AirMagnet Survey vs. NetAlly EtherScope nXG and other solutions. Updated: June 2024.

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