AirMagnet Survey vs iBwave Wi-Fi comparison

NetAlly and iBwave are both solutions in the Network Modeling and Simulation category. NetAlly is ranked #2 with an average rating of 6.7, while iBwave is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5. NetAlly holds a 18.4% mindshare in NM, compared to iBwave’s 10.7% mindshare. Additionally, 86% of NetAlly users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of iBwave users who would recommend it.

AirMagnet Survey

Read 39 AirMagnet Survey reviews

3,146 Views
1,714 Comparison Views

86% willing to recommend

iBwave Wi-Fi

Read 12 iBwave Wi-Fi reviews

1,289 Views
772 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

AirMagnet Survey

iBwave Wi-Fi

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

AirMagnet Survey and iBwave Wi-Fi are competing products in wireless network design. iBwave Wi-Fi holds an advantage due to its feature diversity and deployment flexibility, offering more value despite potentially higher costs.

Features: AirMagnet Survey offers detailed Wi-Fi site surveys with real-time data analysis, RF spectrum visibility, and interference detection. iBwave Wi-Fi stands out with integrated planning, multi-network design capabilities, and predictive modeling tools, providing broader insights beyond basic surveys.

Room for Improvement: AirMagnet Survey could enhance its cloud solutions, expand its configuration capabilities, and improve user interface design for easier navigation. iBwave Wi-Fi might improve by reducing complexity in setup, offering more affordable pricing options, and streamlining its training resources for faster user adoption.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: iBwave Wi-Fi excels with cloud-based deployment and effective customer support, simplifying integration. AirMagnet Survey requires more intensive configuration and offers a traditional setup, which may be less adaptable for diverse network environments.

Pricing and ROI: AirMagnet Survey is perceived as having favorable initial pricing and rapid setup, appealing for smaller networks. iBwave Wi-Fi justifies its cost with strong ROI through comprehensive planning tools and versatility, providing benefits for complex and large-scale projects.

To learn more, read our detailed AirMagnet Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

April 2025

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Helped 849,963 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

AirMagnet Survey

Ranking in Network Modeling and Simulation

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Troubleshooting (8th)

iBwave Wi-Fi

Ranking in Network Modeling and Simulation

3rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Network Modeling and Simulation category, the mindshare of AirMagnet Survey is 18.4%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of iBwave Wi-Fi is 10.7%, down from 12.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Modeling and Simulation

Featured Reviews

David Olofson

Manager at DD&P Services LLC

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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Gopi R S

Senior Radio Frequncy DAS Design Engineer at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees

Enhanced accuracy in design projects with advanced three-dimensional modeling and great support

I am using iBwave Wi-Fi for a project where we are designing on campus. It is used for large venue designs such as a university campus, and my work involves optimizing and validating the designs for accuracy before site surveys Using iBwave Wi-Fi, I am able to provide more accurate results for…

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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

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

"It is reliable and easy to use (user-friendly). The heat mapping, passive network surveying, and doing the heat mapping of a building's wireless network allows me to see what level of coverage an area has."

"The heat maps are quite good, and some features are easy to use."

"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."

"Clear and easy to use maps."

"The most valuable feature is the predictive survey. The antennas' RF patterns are reflected correctly on the drawing when preparing predictive heat maps."

"Customer service is great."

"The predictive survey is the most valuable feature. I use it quite often."

More AirMagnet Survey pros

"The 3D Coverage is a good feature that shows the signal propagation in three dimensions."

"The solution's 3D imaging is amazing."

"Compared to other tools, iBwave Wi-Fi provides 95% accuracy and generates heatmaps."

"iBwave Wi-Fi's tech support is great. They pick up their phones. I have no complaints."

"I find the high-quality Heatmap generation, multi-floor, and wire mapping features to be most valuable."

"The stability and feature set of the application are top notch and can't be matched."

"The most valuable features of iBwave Wi-Fi include the critical three dimensional modeling capabilities, which are necessary for tasks like locating access points, determining their height, and cable routing."

"It can speed up design."

Cons

"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."

"Printouts are JPEG printouts. The AirMagnet software is proprietary. I can't send my customers a file, because it is AirMagnet file, even for building projects. I can only send JPEGs or screenshots of heat maps."

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

"When you conduct an active survey and then want to use it for design work, it's actually not very useful."

"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."

"The throughput should be more advanced in the future. They need to add more versions of WiFi than just one."

More AirMagnet Survey cons

"Areas of improvement would include more functionality in the Mobile App, expanded reporting features, and some shortcut features."

"The cost of the solution could be improved. It's extraordinarily expensive."

"iBwave Wi-Fi could be improved by adding a plot for overall improvement, allowing us to see where we are failing in design parameters, similar to features in Ekahau."

"iBwave Wi-Fi doesn't have a distributor feed platform."

"It would do iBwave well to become more involved with their clients."

"It would be good if we could involve a visual while designing the backhaul."

"I am currently looking for an alternative due to my reluctance with the reliability of this product."

"I would like to be able to see two buildings at the same time so that you can create a campus view."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing needs improvement."

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

"This product is very expensive."

"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."

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

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

"The tool's pricing is medium."

"The solution's pricing is cheap."

"iBwave Wi-Fi is an expensive solution, but it is worth the cost."

"I advise others to treat the cost as you would any tooling cost and use the monthly option as needed."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Educational Organization

Government

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

13%

Computer Software Company

10%

Construction Company

10%

Government

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 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 momen...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for AirMagnet Survey?

We use AirMagnet Survey, for site verifications after the wireless system has been installed. We conduct pre and post-install surveys with it. We have reduced the use since now our customers requir...

See all answers

What do you like most about iBwave Wi-Fi?

Compared to other tools, iBwave Wi-Fi provides 95% accuracy and generates heatmaps.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iBwave Wi-Fi?

Both iBwave Wi-Fi and Ekahau are costly tools. They're considered high in cost because the license needs to be renewed yearly.

See all answers

What needs improvement with iBwave Wi-Fi?

iBwave Wi-Fi could be improved by adding a plot for overall improvement, allowing us to see where we are failing in design parameters, similar to features in Ekahau.

See all answers

Comparisons

Ekahau Site Survey vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 81% of the time

AirCheck G3 vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 4% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 3% of the time

NetAlly EtherScope nXG vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 3% of the time

Wireshark vs AirMagnet Survey

Compared 3% of the time

More AirMagnet Survey Competitors

Ekahau Site Survey vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 68% of the time

Forsk Atoll vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 13% of the time

RedSeal vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 8% of the time

More iBwave Wi-Fi Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey

April 2025

Download AirMagnet Survey product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Modeling and Simulation

April 2025

Download iBwave Wi-Fi product report

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.

NetAlly

iBwave has been the industry standard software for designing indoor wireless network for over 13 years. Used by hundreds of operators, OEMs, enterprises and system integrators around the world. The iBwave Wi-Fi Suite is a powerful Wi-Fi network design solution that gives you a significantly more productive way to design carrier-grade indoor Wi-Fi networks. Consisting of a mobile app, a powerful PC based software and 10GB of cloud connectivity to easily share and synchronize project information.

Key Features include:

Advanced 3D Predictive design
Advanced capacity planning
Calibrated prediction for extremely accurate prediction results
Ability to model incline surfaces
Comprehensive reporting
Cloud connectivity to easily share and access projects anytime
Free read-only project viewer for customers and project partners

iBwave

Sample Customers

Houston Methodist Hospital, Love's Travel Stops

ARRIS

Buyer's Guide

AirMagnet Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

April 2025

Free Report: AirMagnet Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

Find out what your peers are saying about AirMagnet Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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