FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Real questions from real users. If yours isn't here, the editor is one click away.
What's the best free Ekahau alternative?
WiFi Heatmap is the closest free alternative to Ekahau for typical homes, home labs, and small offices. It uses the COST-231 multi-wall path-loss model (the same approach Ekahau's entry tier uses) and runs entirely in your browser. The free tier supports 5 access points across 1 floor and exports a watermarked PNG; the €29 lifetime tier removes both caps and unlocks unlimited floors with 2.5D cross-floor signal (concrete/wood ceiling attenuation factored in). The remaining gap vs Ekahau is enterprise-scale survey workflows for hundreds of APs.
Is there a free alternative to NetSpot or TamoGraph?
Yes — WiFi Heatmap is fully free for up to 5 APs, with no time limit and no signup. NetSpot Free strips out the predictive heatmap (you only get walk-around survey mode) and TamoGraph's free trial is watermarked and time-limited. WiFi Heatmap keeps the predictive heatmap in the free tier and never expires.
Can I plan WiFi coverage without doing a walk-around survey?
Yes — that's exactly what predictive WiFi tools are for. Upload a floorplan PNG, draw the walls per material (drywall, brick, glass, concrete), drop your APs, and we predict the dBm at every point using the COST-231 multi-wall model. You should still validate with a phone-based survey after install because furniture, multipath, and floor/ceiling reflections aren't modeled, but the predictive heatmap gets the placement decision right.
Does this work with UniFi, TP-Link Omada, Aruba, or MikroTik APs?
Yes — WiFi Heatmap is vendor-neutral. We have built-in presets for UniFi U6 / U7, TP-Link Omada, Aruba Instant On, MikroTik, ASUS, and FRITZ!Box, and you can also enter Tx power and antenna gain manually for any AP. Unlike UniFi Design Center (Ubiquiti-only) or Cambium WiFi Designer (Cambium-only), there's no vendor lock-in. Mix vendors freely — that's the homelab reality.
How accurate are the predictions?
We use the COST-231 multi-wall model — the same approach as commercial tools at the entry tier. Expect ±6–10 dB for typical homes and small offices. Big metal / concrete structures, 3D ceiling effects, multipath, and furniture aren't modeled. Treat predictions as guidance for placement decisions, and validate with a walking survey on a phone after install.
Is my floorplan data private?
Yes. Floorplans, walls, and AP placements live entirely in your browser (localStorage). Nothing uploads to our server. We log only anonymous usage counters for product analytics — IP, operation type, AP count.
Will it work for my home lab?
Yes — that's the primary use case. Plan UniFi, Aruba Instant On, TP-Link Omada, MikroTik or any vendor's APs before installation. Works on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Multi-floor planning (with concrete or wood ceiling attenuation) is included in Pro for 2-storey homes and small offices. WiFi 6E / 7 (6 GHz) coming soon.
Is it actually free?
The core tool is free, no signup, no card. The free tier supports up to 5 access points per floorplan and exports a watermarked PNG. Pro (a €9 one-time project pass or €29 lifetime) lifts the cap and removes the watermark.
Why not just use Ekahau or Hamina?
For enterprise WLAN with hundreds of APs across large multi-storey buildings, Ekahau ($4–6k/year) or Hamina ($980/year) are still the right answer. WiFi Heatmap covers homes, home labs, and small 1–3 floor offices — with 2.5D cross-floor signal in Pro — at a fraction of the price tag and zero of the survey-workflow overhead.
