Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NetSpot VS Nethogs

Compare NetSpot VS Nethogs and see what are their differences

NetSpot logo NetSpot

NetSpot is a free app for wireless site surveys, Wi-Fi analysis, and troubleshooting

Nethogs logo Nethogs

NetHogs is a small 'net top' tool.
  • NetSpot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Nethogs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

NetSpot features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    NetSpot features a clean, intuitive interface that's easy to navigate even for beginners.
  • Comprehensive Wi-Fi Analysis
    Offers in-depth analysis including network coverage, signal strength, and interference, helping users optimize their Wi-Fi networks.
  • Heatmap Visualization
    Provides visual heatmaps that help users understand Wi-Fi signal distribution across a physical space.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available on both macOS and Windows, catering to a wide range of users.
  • Customizable Reports
    Allows users to create detailed reports that can be customized to highlight specific data points or issues.
  • Free Version Available
    Offers a free version which includes basic features, making it accessible for users who do not want to commit financially.

Possible disadvantages of NetSpot

  • Limited Features in Free Version
    The free version has limited capabilities compared to the paid version, which might not be sufficient for more advanced users.
  • Price Point
    The Pro version is relatively expensive, which might be a barrier for small businesses or individual users.
  • Requires Hardware Investment
    Optimal usage may require additional hardware like a compatible Wi-Fi adapter for accurate measurements and surveys.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, there is a learning curve for mastering more complex features and analysis.
  • Limited Compatibility
    The app may not be as effective with older or less common wireless hardware, reducing the scope of its usability.

Nethogs features and specs

  • Real-Time Monitoring
    Nethogs allows users to monitor network bandwidth usage in real time, distinguishing traffic usage by process, which is useful for managing and troubleshooting network performance issues.
  • Process-Based Traffic Tracking
    Unlike some network monitoring tools that only provide overall traffic data, Nethogs separates traffic by process, helping users identify which applications or processes are consuming bandwidth.
  • Lightweight and Simple
    Nethogs is a lightweight utility that is easy to install and use, making it accessible for users who need straightforward network monitoring without large overhead.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, Nethogs allows users to audit, modify, or enhance the codebase to better fit their needs or to contribute to the community.

Possible disadvantages of Nethogs

  • Limited Feature Set
    Nethogs focuses specifically on process-based network traffic monitoring and does not include advanced features like historical data logging or the management of alerts.
  • Linux-Only
    Nethogs is only available for Linux systems, limiting its use for users who operate on other operating systems like Windows or macOS.
  • Command-Line Interface
    While powerful, the command-line interface might be intimidating or less user-friendly for individuals who prefer graphical user interfaces for system monitoring.
  • Real-Time Only
    As Nethogs provides only real-time data, it lacks the capability to produce historical data reports, which could be a drawback for users needing long-term data analysis.

Analysis of NetSpot

Overall verdict

  • Overall, NetSpot is highly recommended for individuals and businesses seeking a reliable and intuitive tool for Wi-Fi network analysis and troubleshooting. It effectively combines powerful features with ease of use, making it a top choice among network professionals and enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • NetSpot is considered a good Wi-Fi analysis tool due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive mapping features, and the ability to conduct both passive and active surveys to assess Wi-Fi coverage and performance. It’s highly rated for its accuracy in detecting signal strength, identifying dead zones, and understanding network connectivity issues, which can help optimize network performance.

Recommended for

  • Home users looking to optimize their Wi-Fi network performance
  • IT professionals and network engineers performing site surveys
  • Business owners needing reliable Wi-Fi mapping and analysis
  • Educational institutions managing campus-wide Wi-Fi systems
  • Anyone interested in detailed insights into their Wi-Fi environment

NetSpot videos

Review - Netspot Wifi Survey Tool

More videos:

  • Review - Create a Wireless Network Survey With NetSpot

Nethogs videos

Nethogs Linux Shell Network Traffic Monitoring

More videos:

  • Review - Nethogs - Bandwidth Monitor - Linux TUI
  • Review - Remote linux server admin tools: byobu, htop, nethogs, nload, iptraf

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NetSpot and Nethogs)
Monitoring Tools
70 70%
30% 30
Log Management
75 75%
25% 25
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Performance Monitoring
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Nethogs should be more popular than NetSpot. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NetSpot mentions (1)

  • [TS] HomeKit & Meross wall switches.
    That being said u/pixelrogue, this could also be a channel/wireless issue too. I would also suggest using. NetSpot to check channels. Source: over 3 years ago

Nethogs mentions (5)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing NetSpot and Nethogs, you can also consider the following products

inSSIDer - inSSIDer Essential makes it easy to maintain small business WiFi.

Wireshark - Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer for Unix and Windows. It lets you capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.

Vistumbler - Vistumbler is a wireless network scanner for Windows Vista and Windows 7. Features:

iftop - iftop does for network usage what top(1) does for CPU usage.

Kismet - Kismet is an 802.11 layer2 wireless network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection system.

nload - Monitor network traffic and bandwidth usage in real time