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Ekahau Site Survey vs iBwave Wi-Fi comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

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

Ekahau Site Survey
Ranking in Network Modeling and Simulation
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
35
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
iBwave Wi-Fi
Ranking in Network Modeling and Simulation
3rd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
12
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Network Modeling and Simulation category, the mindshare of Ekahau Site Survey is 27.4%, down from 41.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of iBwave Wi-Fi is 10.9%, down from 12.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Modeling and Simulation
 

Featured Reviews

ALEXANDRE VIANNA - PeerSpot reviewer
Good optimization capabilities, automatic network planning tool and saves time
Ekahau needs to enhance the view of materials and make some adjustments to the reports. Currently, it's possible to make changes to the Word report using Python, but it could be improved. For example, when I create an AP on a survey report, information like the cable view, distance, and support assessments could be enhanced. Only one comment about Ekahau Optimizer. It needs improvement. I tried to upload site products, and for five products, I needed to involve Ekahau's supply chain. When I try to solve that, it's not possible. For example, I uploaded one product for a large bank, and the optimizer didn't finish. I needed to involve Ekahau support, and they sent me the file two or three days after I opened the case.
Gopi R S - PeerSpot reviewer
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…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We reviewed the maps as a team and determined if any changes needed to be made or if we could just replace APs as they are. We got into this by upgrading our access points to Meraki, and we wanted to make sure that we weren't leaving trouble behind us as we were doing it."
"The ability to perform dual-band spectrum analysis while conducting the standard WiFi site survey is a tremendous time saver."
"I like Ekahau's interface and the reports it can generate."
"The spectrum analysis capability is very good. It provides deep insights into the Wi-Fi environment. It's not just about troubleshooting interference but also optimizing access points and modifying power levels and channels."
"The most valuable feature of Ekahau Site Survey is the predictive survey."
"Ekahau Site Survey is scalable."
"The most valuable features of the Ekahau Site Survey for us are the combination of using the tool."
"The solution is user-friendly and it provides a good output that can be measured, and I can describe and pinpoint any inaccuracy shortfalls."
"The stability and feature set of the application are top notch and can't be matched."
"The solution's 3D imaging is amazing."
"I find the high-quality Heatmap generation, multi-floor, and wire mapping features to be most valuable."
"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."
"Compared to other tools, iBwave Wi-Fi provides 95% accuracy and generates heatmaps."
"The 3D Coverage is a good feature that shows the signal propagation in three dimensions."
"iBwave Wi-Fi's tech support is great. They pick up their phones. I have no complaints."
 

Cons

"I wish there were a competitor to keep Ekahau Site Survey's pricing in line, but there's none."
"They should improve the iPad application because it's unstable. Also, Ekahau could be better integrated with other vendors."
"I find the power button hard to access with just one hand."
"We were actually able to recover some access points in some areas that were over saturated. So I I can leave at least two areas where we probably had twice as many access points as we needed to. So we actually redesigned it and pulled some of those access points where I don't know that there was any proper planning done when they were initially deployed. It was before my time, but it just seemed way over saturated, and they were all beaten on each other. So Site wasn't helping. It was probably hurting, and we saved equipment that we could then deploy somewhere else. This can be improved."
"Its migration and visualization features need improvement."
"The support is an area in need of improvement."
"The report generation has room for improvement and is missing small details."
"The new Sidekick is going to support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E."
"iBwave Wi-Fi doesn't have a distributor feed platform."
"The cost of the solution could be improved. It's extraordinarily expensive."
"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."
"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."
"I am currently looking for an alternative due to my reluctance with the reliability of this product."
"Areas of improvement would include more functionality in the Mobile App, expanded reporting features, and some shortcut features."
"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

"Ekahau Site Survey is a really expensive solution."
"9,000 Euro per year."
"That's a tricky thing. When it started off, we had one three-year license and one one-year license because we have two devices. Now, from my understanding, we can only renew every year or get a one-year license, and that cost varies. Being a government organization, we get a different cost than commercial. We have deployed it on Surface Pro tablets. So, the only other cost would be the hardware cost."
"The pricing is quite expensive. Not all companies can afford it"
"The solution is less costly than one of its competitors."
"We pay a licensing fee."
"Since we are an academic institute, we get better prices and discounts from Cisco, but not Ekahau."
"The pricing is high."
"I advise others to treat the cost as you would any tooling cost and use the monthly option as needed."
"The solution's pricing is cheap."
"iBwave Wi-Fi is an expensive solution, but it is worth the cost."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Educational Organization
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Educational Organization
13%
Construction Company
10%
Computer Software Company
10%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Ekahau Site Survey?
We reviewed the maps as a team and determined if any changes needed to be made or if we could just replace APs as they are. We got into this by upgrading our access points to Meraki, and we wanted ...
What needs improvement with Ekahau Site Survey?
Ekahau could be improved by adding three-dimensional modeling, as we currently cannot view APIs in a three-dimensional perspective. They need to include backhaul features and improve the ease of in...
What do you like most about iBwave Wi-Fi?
Compared to other tools, iBwave Wi-Fi provides 95% accuracy and generates heatmaps.
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.
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.
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Presidio, Planet Earth, Ruckus
ARRIS
Find out what your peers are saying about Ekahau Site Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
845,040 professionals have used our research since 2012.