Ekahau Site Survey vs iBwave Wi-Fi comparison

Ekahau and iBwave are both solutions in the Network Modeling and Simulation category. Ekahau is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.1, while iBwave is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5. Ekahau holds a 30.0% mindshare in NM, compared to iBwave’s 10.8% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Ekahau users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of iBwave users who would recommend it.

Ekahau Site Survey

Read 35 Ekahau Site Survey reviews

4,303 Views
2,299 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

iBwave Wi-Fi

Read 12 iBwave Wi-Fi reviews

1,307 Views
780 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

Ekahau Site Survey

iBwave Wi-Fi

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Ekahau Site Survey and iBwave Wi-Fi are competing products in the wireless network design and analysis category. While Ekahau is favored for its pricing and support, iBwave takes the lead with a broader range of features, making it ideal for users seeking extensive capabilities.

Features: Ekahau Site Survey stands out with its intuitive interface, making it user-friendly and quick to deploy. It allows for effective network planning, providing comprehensive reports. It also features AutoCAD layer import for detailed network diagrams. iBwave Wi-Fi excels with advanced design and simulation capabilities like 3D modeling, which offer detailed network visualizations. The accuracy of its simulations is a significant advantage. It also has impressive heatmap generation capabilities, allowing for precise signal coverage predictions.

Room for Improvement: Ekahau could benefit from enhancing its simulation accuracy to match iBwave and expanding its feature set to include more advanced modeling options. Improving integration with other network analysis tools would also be beneficial. iBwave Wi-Fi, on the other hand, might improve by simplifying its complex deployment process and offering more user-friendly navigation. It could also benefit from better integration with third-party hardware to enhance compatibility.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Ekahau Site Survey offers a straightforward setup process with seamless deployment, backed by readily available support. It focuses on enabling quick implementation with minimal hassle. iBwave Wi-Fi involves a more structured deployment model with comprehensive documentation and tailored service, focusing on in-depth customer engagement and detailed support.

Pricing and ROI: Ekahau Site Survey provides a competitive setup cost, facilitating a quicker ROI due to its accessible price point and immediate results. iBwave Wi-Fi demands a higher initial investment, which is justified by its extensive features and long-term value. Users who require robust, feature-rich solutions may find the trade-off in initial costs worthwhile for the depth and accuracy of iBwave's offerings.

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

Buyer's Guide

Ekahau Site Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

March 2025

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Helped 842,388 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

Ekahau Site Survey

Ranking in Network Modeling and Simulation

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

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

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Network Modeling and Simulation category, the mindshare of Ekahau Site Survey is 30.0%, down from 41.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of iBwave Wi-Fi is 10.8%, down from 12.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Modeling and Simulation

Featured Reviews

ALEXANDRE VIANNA

CTO at Redeswirelessbrasil

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.

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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 troubleshooting tools are the most valuable feature of the solution."

"The ability to perform dual-band spectrum analysis while conducting the standard WiFi site survey is a tremendous time saver."

"The most valuable function is the site survey capability."

"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."

"I like Ekahau's interface and the reports it can generate."

"The most valuable features of the Ekahau Site Survey for us are the combination of using the tool."

"Ekahau lets you create heat maps without doing the initial survey. It makes the task easier."

"We are satisfied with the way this product is working."

More Ekahau Site Survey pros

"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."

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

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

"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."

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

"It can speed up design."

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

Cons

"Lacks an in-app photo app or a way to upload photos while carrying out an active onsite survey."

"The GPS feature could be improved."

"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."

"They should improve the iPad application because it's unstable. Also, Ekahau could be better integrated with other vendors."

"The new Sidekick is going to support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E."

"In all of our buildings, whenever we deploy wireless access points, we also have to deploy wireless intrusion detections. The Ekahau Site Survey tool doesn't allow us to differentiate between the access point and the intrusion detection device. That's because they're the same devices, but they're configured differently for the type of usage. That's one area that I would ask them to improve. They should allow the identification of access points versus wireless intrusion detection."

"The cloud takes a lot of time to upload the site survey, and we regularly face issues with syncing to the optimizer."

"The support is an area in need of improvement."

More Ekahau Site Survey cons

"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."

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

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

"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."

"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."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is high."

"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."

"We pay $6,000 yearly for the licensing, but each piece of hardware, the Ekahau Sidekick, is $5,000."

"The product is quite expensive."

"The pricing is quite expensive. Not all companies can afford it"

"We pay a licensing fee."

"Ekahau Site Survey is a really expensive solution."

"This solution is not cheap. If you only need an occasional site survey, you are better off contracting a wireless engineering professional that has one."

More Ekahau Site Survey pricing and cost advice

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

"The solution's pricing is cheap."

"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

14%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Government

Educational Organization

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Construction Company

Computer Software Company

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 ...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ekahau Site Survey?

The pricing and licensing of Ekahau are costly.

See all answers

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...

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

AirMagnet Survey vs Ekahau Site Survey

Compared 62% of the time

RedSeal vs Ekahau Site Survey

Compared 4% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Ekahau Site Survey

Compared 4% of the time

More Ekahau Site Survey Competitors

Forsk Atoll vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 11% of the time

AirMagnet Survey vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 10% of the time

RedSeal vs iBwave Wi-Fi

Compared 9% of the time

More iBwave Wi-Fi Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Ekahau Site Survey

March 2025

Download Ekahau Site Survey product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Modeling and Simulation

March 2025

Download iBwave Wi-Fi product report

Overview

Over 12 years in the making, ESSTM maintains its reputation as the easiest to use, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi design and maintenance tool for Wi-Fi professionals. With crystal clear heat maps and easy-to-use reports, ESS makes it simple to optimize Wi-Fi.

ESS allows you to plan and create Wi-Fi networks according to your performance and capacity requirements—taking into consideration the increasing amount of wireless clients and applications such as VoIP, HD video streaming and web browsing.

Ekahau

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

Presidio, Planet Earth, Ruckus

ARRIS

Buyer's Guide

Ekahau Site Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

March 2025

Free Report: Ekahau Site Survey vs. iBwave Wi-Fi

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

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