Ekahau Site Survey Reviews

We use Ekahau as our primary survey tool for conducting wireless surveys. Our sites range anywhere from small buildings with three access points to large buildings with up to 40 access points. So, we're pretty diverse in using this software. We also do post-surveys by using the software with Sidekick, which is a device that monitors wireless signals.

We use it on a standalone solution. We don't use it in a cloud environment because of the restrictions with getting the government certifications to put it on the network. So, we use it in a standalone environment.

There are some survey tools that are a little easier to use, but the benefit of using the Ekahau is that it is very configurable. If you go into a building that has solid cement walls, instead of traditional walls, you can configure it for that. It is much more configurable than the other ones.

The survey tool is most valuable.

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. 

It is somewhat expensive to renew the licenses every year. Obviously, most places can't maintain that. You would think that if you're not using the software any differently than you were from day one, then the license that you initially purchased would be good from that point forward, but it is not like that.

I have been using this solution for about three years.

It is very stable except for renewing the licenses every year.

It is extremely scalable because you can deploy this solution in many different ways. You can deploy it as a standalone solution. You can deploy it in an enterprise environment or in a cloud environment. It can be deployed however you are capable of deploying it and whatever works best for you. So, it is very scalable.

Currently, just me and the other wireless PMs are using this solution. Because of the license restriction, we can't allow too many people to use it. It has to be pretty much tailored to one or two devices because we can't pass the licenses around to different devices.

It is our primary wireless survey tool. So, it is used pretty extensively.

I haven't really had to use them, but I'm assuming they would be pretty good. Ekahau has been good at everything else, so I'm assuming the technical team would also be very good.

We used something called Virtual Suite. The only reason we used that was that it was open source. We needed somewhere to start. So, we started with that. When we were able to purchase the Ekahau software, we started using it. We've been using it ever since.

It is pretty straightforward. It is not complex. If you've never used survey tools, it would be difficult when you use it for the first time. If you've used survey tools before, then it's no different than any of the other tools.

In terms of the implementation strategy, we had to develop a standalone suite and deploy the software onto those standalone tablets. We just had to load it on standalone computers. Currently, we have to maintain licenses to access the software every year. Other than that, it's not really difficult.

We did it all ourselves. For its deployment and maintenance, we have a staff of two people.

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 evaluated other solutions.

I would highly recommend going to the Ekahau training class. They have a class to train you on how to do surveys. 

I would rate it a 10 out of 10 because as a project manager doing wireless surveys, it gives me all the tools and access that I need to be able to conduct a proper survey. The only thing that it requires is the ability to differentiate between an access point and a wireless intrusion detection device.

I use Ekahau for Wi-Fi designs and other services. It is used for troubleshooting and for analyzing the network. Additionally, we analyze each and every API, FSID, power transmission, bitrates, and other data.

The most valuable function is the site survey capability. We can also analyze each API in the course, FSID, power transmission, bitrates, and all data related to it.

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 integration with existing systems.

I have been using Ekahau for the past six months.

No tool will give you one hundred percent stability. We can aim for around forty to fifty percent stability, which I consider something is better than nothing.

This part is common in both IBWave and Ekahau, so we can do it on any step. The major disadvantages I mentioned earlier only affect certain aspects of scalability.

Ekahau's customer service is satisfactory, and they are giving their maximum effort to answer my questions. I contact technical support weekly, and their support satisfies my needs.

Positive

The setup requires a couple of technicians, and maintenance is needed every few months post-installation. It's not just plug and play.

Usually, we require two or three technicians for installation.

The solution has proven to be time-saving compared to traditional installation methods, providing a return on investment by saving roughly thirty to forty percent installation time.

The pricing and licensing of Ekahau are costly.

I use both IBWave and Ekahau for designing wireless networks. IBWave provides certain features like three-dimensional modeling and backhaul processing where Ekahau lacks.

Both tools are adding AI features, such as AI planners that automatically place APIs. However, these are not suitable for complex venues like high-story buildings, stadiums, and airports.

I use this solution for off-site surveys. We are resellers of this solution and I'm a solutions architect working in pre-sales. Our company is based in South Africa.

I like that it's easy to plot the APs and generate reports. It's a good design. The reports Ekahau provides are very professional. The product is mature and provides ease of use regarding large-scale planning and reporting. It's a mature solution. 

I'd like to see the option of an in-app photo application or a way to upload photos while carrying out an active onsite survey. You can obviously use a tablet's camera but it would be helpful to have an automated import of the physical AP in the Ekahau reports. Also, they come out with a lot of updates and it sometimes feels too much. Finally, I'd like to see a function or plugin for Ekahau to pick up on the switches the APs connect to so that you can map out further than just the APs when you do your site survey. It would be great if it could pick up a Mac address of each AP's switches, which would help engineers map out a network topology.

I've been using this solution for four years. 

We're happy with the stability.  

When we started out with the solution, the only support available was via email. It was efficient but sometimes it's preferable to speak to someone. I haven't used the support in a while, but it has improved despite the fact that it's a bit too rigid for my liking. 

I've used AirMagnet once or twice and found it to be cumbersome. Part of it may be that I'm more experienced with Ekahau. This kind of work previously required the manual effort of taking floor plans to sites, along with physical APs to test the coverage and plot out our WiFi design.

The initial setup was straightforward. We had a technical session with Ruckus in South Africa after we'd been using the solution for a year. It was more of a workshop for using Ekahau for Ruckus designs. I carried out the deployment and it took around 20 minutes.

The solution provides good reporting and is easy to use but the pricing is a sore point even though you get what you pay for. This is a very expensive solution, more than double AirMagnet. In terms of the South African rand and economy, it's very expensive. Our annual licensing costs amount to the equivalent of around 9000 euros.

If you have the budget for it, this is a very good product. We've been doing WiFi for quite a long time and we didn't do the online training or use the guides. For anyone new to the solution, it's worth spending a couple of hours with the online help that's available. 

The only downfall is the price so I rate this solution a nine out of 10.

We use Ekahau Site Survey for our customers' companies. I work for a Cisco partner and a Huawei partner, and we use the product when we deploy Cisco and Huawei.

I have found all of the features useful, depending on which phase we're looking for. The planning feature is useful because it's very affordable. The planning feature permits us to import the DWG file and get the old wall inside of it.

The building feature is also useful because it can be done layer by layer and floor by floor, not only in the planning site.

The GPS feature inside Ekahau could be improved. When we have a small office, it's no problem because the planning and workflow is just enough, but in the grid field we have a 250 access point. In this case, performing a survey work through is complicated, and the GPS feature could be very useful.

When we generate the report, sometimes we have too much information and it's not explained well. We have to take time to change it or make comments because it's not clear, especially for our customers who don't have deeper knowledge. 

The radial planning feature could be improved. The interference report and the spectrum analyzer could be easier to use. It would help if an estimate of the program could tell us what type of interference we have. For instance, Cisco tell us what types of interference there are.

It would be helpful if the tool could be managed by someone who doesn't have a lot of experience and doesn't need any support to do a site survey. That could increase its value in comparison with other software.

I have been using Ekahau Site Survey for about 10 years.

We don't have much experience with technical support because we don't have many problems. However, we have had problems with software licensing. Sometimes the GPS will be broken or unavailable. In that case, we contacted Ekahau for technical assistance and after that, we didn't have any problems with the product.

The pricing could be lower because the Huawei radial planning is free for the partner. When I asked my boss about buying Ekahau and the USB key, it was complicated because of the high cost, which is €5,000.

For the licensing policy, I spent €5,000 and get support for maybe one or two years. It could be cheaper.

I would rate this solution seven out of ten.

Our primary use case for this solution is to conduct wifi site surveys. It works in any environment.

We use this solution to improve wifi network performance or design proper networks. It is possible to eliminate issues such as co-channel interference or adjacent-channel interference. It can also locate devices that are causing interference.

The ability to perform dual-band spectrum analysis while conducting the standard wifi site survey is a tremendous time saver. The built-in battery allows us to survey longer without stopping for power.

I find the power button hard to access with just one hand. It really needs one hand to hold the device while the other pushes the button. It would also be improved if other mounting options besides the strap were available. Also, the strap should be easy release. 

It is very stable. Works as designed. 

In terms of technical support, it is hit or miss. They tend to rely on offshore support for the first level and the response time is painfully slow, considering I pay $1389 per year for it. Most of it is by email, which takes up to 24 hours to get a response (usually asking for more info). After this, another 24 hours before they respond again asking for something else. It can take three or four days to answer simple questions.

Prior to acquiring Sidekick, we conducted our surveys with a laptop, three external NIC cards, and two spectrum analysis antennas. It was just as effective as using the Sidekick with an iPad or laptop, but it was bulky and required power constantly in order to maintain the batteries.

The initial setup is relatively easy if you have already used Ekahau in the past. If not, the learning curve is steep. The documentation is not very strong.

We implemented this solution using our in-house team.

As a wireless professional, I need to conduct at least seven or eight small-scale surveys, or two to three large-scale surveys, in order to recover the costs.

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.

The cost for the device and software runs in excess of $6500 plus $1389 per year in maintenance fees. Add to it the cost of an iPad and you are getting close to $10,000, and you still don't know how to use it!

We found that there is no other option like it on the market.

This is a professional tool. You have to know how to use it. 

Used in conjunction with the Ekahau Pro software and a professional wireless engineer, this tool will make conducting a wireless site survey a breeze.

The most valuable feature of Ekahau Site Survey is the predictive survey.

I wish there were a competitor to keep Ekahau Site Survey's pricing in line, but there's none.

I have been working with Ekahau Site Survey for five to six years.

Ekahau Site Survey is a very stable solution. It doesn't crash, and it has a long battery life.

I rate Ekahau Site Survey ten out of ten for stability.

In mining, we have a choice between iBwave, Ekahau Site Survey, and a few other products. All my clients use Ekahau Site Survey.

I rate Ekahau Site Survey ten out of ten for scalability.

Ekahau Site Survey is a really expensive solution.

Ekahau Site Survey is focused on on-site surveys.

I need to know what users want to use the solution for. If they want to use it for their own office, their office better be a big one with plenty of branches. Otherwise, it's not worth it. It's more reasonable to call me to come over to your office and look at your Wi-Fi rather than buy Ekahau Site Survey.

Ekahau Site Survey is the only product that gives you the full flexibility of site survey and on-site survey. There's no other product that can compare to it. That's the problem. If another product can compare, function to function with Ekahau, it's a whole different ball game. Right now, Ekahau dominates the market.

Whenever a tender comes out, people will specify Ekahau, so it's very difficult to move away from it. Since it has become the default product, it's demanding very high prices.

Overall, I rate Ekahau Site Survey a nine out of ten.

Anyone suffering WiFi issues should have a solid WiFi site survey conducted. Same if you are going to design a new system. 

It allows me to conduct more in-depth surveys and find the problems in a consistent manner. It also helps in preparing proposals for new networks. 

The most valuable features are the ability to read existing WiFi services and to produce a reliable report on coverage.

The coverage patterns / strengths built into the inventory of APs in Ekahau is overly optimistic or too generous. This is not the fault of Ekahau - it is the fault of the various vendors that produce the antenna patterns they use. We tested several models of Cisco and Ubiquiti devices in open areas and found that reality versus the Ekahau predictive values were different. In reality, they did not cover as far and as strong as Ekahau’s inventory would suggest. Again - not the fault of Ekahau. This is an issue with the data being supplied to them by the various vendors. 

This can lead to a bad design when using a predictive survey. Our testing was conducted on an open field with no major source of RF interference in the area. 

The product is still very valuable when used by someone with enough experience in the field to know when something doesn't seem right. Someone that can make adjustments to the design based on reality. 

I have not really encountered any stability issues.

I have not encountered any scalability issues.

Customer Service:

Customer service is slow to respond. They respond but the 24-hour delay to hold an open dialog is painful. There are options to call during the day and they work well.

Technical Support:

Technical support is good.

We previously used AirMagnet and NetSpot. We switched due to cost and performance. AirMagnet actually crashed a laptop and caused a complete system rebuild. NetSpot is nothing more than a low-end reader and isn't very accurate. 

Initial setup was fairly simple.

I implemented it on my own.

The ROI was pretty quick. Since I do survey work as a revenue stream, I had to conduct three paid gigs to pay for itself.

Pricing and licensing is high. Expect to pay $3000-4000 to just get the software in place... plus hardware needed. It adds up quickly. 

Before choosing this product, we also evaluated AirMagnet.

It is a good product but support needs to speed up responses. It takes 24-48 hours to get a simple response. You pay $1389 per year for support and you are had-pressed to get timely answers. 

Most of the surveys I conduct are with Ekahau Site Survey, which I use for site surveys and planning. I rely on it when there are Wi-Fi issues. I examine the package to understand the Wi-Fi configuration and assess the situation. After that, I identify any issues and use Ekahau for the surveys. I primarily focus on warehousing for planning, but I also handle site surveys for events. For example, using Ekahau, I conducted the survey and planning for the King Baldwin Stadium in Brussels, where Coldplay performed two years ago.

The most important feature is the Sidekick, which allows us to see what’s happening during the survey, including spectrum analysis.

Ekahau is a great tool for planning, assessments, and post-deployment surveys. It excels in those areas.

It took me over a week to fine-tune the reports, but they became impossible to use. That’s one of the reasons we started looking at Hemina. I’ve been using Ekahau for quite some time, and when the Sidekick 2 was released, packet analysis wasn’t supported, even though it was included in my subscription. 

I contacted them for over a year about this issue since packet analysis is essential for my work, but I didn’t receive a response. When I requested support, I was banned from their communications, no invitations for Wi-Fi Day or webinars. If that’s how they treat their partners, it’s clear that our relationship has to change.

I'm renewing my subscription for the last year, but I’m not willing to pay two thousand euros anymore. If they can make me a reasonable offer and provide a discount. The customer experience has been poor. I called my distributor, who checked and confirmed that everything was functioning. To troubleshoot, I created a new account under a different name and received an invitation. When I tried registering with my original account, I was blocked because I had contacted customer support about my issues.

You can use different software; Ekahau is an option, but look at how they treat their customers.' On the other hand, there’s Hemina. They don’t have spectrum analysis yet, but it’s coming. Technically, the Sidekick is still one of the best devices for checking Wi-Fi. However, there are alternative solutions, and you receive support with those alternatives. For me, the support issue is a significant concern.

I have been using Ekahau Site Survey for seven years.

Over the last six months, I encountered issues with Ekahau, especially when saving files to the cloud. Sometimes, not all data was stored correctly. I’d save the first version and continue working on it, but later, when I retrieved the file, it would revert to the initial version, losing work hours.

I rate the solution’s stability a six out of ten.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

The customer support is low. Support is somewhat acceptable because I know the team, but it's lacking when it comes to practical and financial matters. My Ekahau subscription has been inactive since July 2022, and I’m uncertain about renewing due to rising prices and declining customer support. While Ekahau has been the only vendor for a long time, that’s no longer true. Hemina’s software is better. For instance, if an access point isn't supported, I can request it, and they typically incorporate it within days, provided the manufacturer shares the antenna patterns. Hemina’s team is responsive, whether through calls or emails, making it a much better solution for me.

They need to listen to their customers. With Ekahau, the attitude feels like; We’re the biggest and best, so be grateful to pay us two thousand euros each year to use our software.'Since Jussie left the company, the mentality seems to have declined significantly. They’re not listening to feedback, and it feels like they view us merely as a cash cow.

They handle their loyal customers poorly, almost like they’re kicking us when we’re down. I never complained during webinars or put Ekahau in a bad light. I always addressed issues directly with support. I’d point out that I was being charged for a service that wasn’t functioning, and the response was always, 'It’s coming, it’s coming.' A year later, I was still facing the same issues, so I asked about compensation for my investments in packet analysis equipment, which included a multimeter that cost around twenty-one thousand euros. When I inquired about a discount, I was told, 'This is the price. You either pay it or leave.

Negative

I purchased professional licenses from both Ekahau and Hemina. Hemina's software is better overall, though the Sidekick remains superior to Hemina’s current solution. 

One advantage of Ekahau is that when you conduct a site survey, the spectrum analysis data is automatically incorporated into the report. However, that’s the only benefit I see right now. I’ve been using Hemina for six months, and when I have to revisit an older project with Ekahau, it feels like it takes forever to load. I’m still open to renewing my Ekahau subscription for another year, but not at the price of two thousand euros.

It is too expensive.

If no corporate firewall is installed, there aren’t any issues. I experienced some headaches with the license server, but those problems were resolved and weren't significant. Using a SaaS application is even easier since you don’t have to install anything; you log in to the site.

Overall, I rate the solution a four out of ten.