Security Monitoring

The Top 6 Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tools

Discover the best wi-fi security and performance testing tools. Explore features such as vulnerability scanning, PenTesting, and performance optimization.

Last updated on Jan 24, 2025
Alex Zawalnyski
Tom King
Written by Alex Zawalnyski Technical Review by Tom King
The Top 6 Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tools include:
  1. 1.
    Acrylic Wifi Analyser
  2. 2.
    Cisco Meraki
  3. 3.
    CommView for WiFi
  4. 4.
    Ekahau
  5. 5.
    Metageek inSSIDer

Wi-Fi security and performance testing tools are software solutions designed to assess the security and performance of wireless networks. These tools typically provide features for scanning Wi-Fi networks, identifying vulnerabilities, and evaluating network performance metrics such as signal strength, throughput, and latency. They can also simulate various network conditions and attack scenarios to test the resilience of Wi-Fi security measures. By conducting comprehensive tests and audits, these tools help organizations to identify weaknesses in their Wi-Fi infrastructure and implement appropriate measures to enhance security and optimize performance.

The benefits of using Wi-Fi security and performance testing tools include improved network reliability, enhanced security posture, and better user experience. By identifying performance bottlenecks, signal interference, and other issues, these tools enable organizations to optimize their Wi-Fi networks for maximum efficiency and reliability. In addition, by detecting and mitigating security vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access points, weak encryption, and rogue devices, these tools help safeguard sensitive data and protect against cyber threats. Ultimately, Wi-Fi testing tools empower organizations to ensure a secure and high-performance wireless network environment for their users.

In this article, we’ll explore the top Wi-Fi security and performance testing tools designed to identify risks and threats to your Wi-Fi network, as well as highlighting areas where these processes can be enhanced. We’ll provide an overview of the key use cases and features of each solution, allowing you to find the right solution for your organization.

Acrylic WiFi Analyzer is an advanced WiFi scanning and troubleshooting tool that is designed to optimize network performance while aiding in the identification and resolution of WiFi related problems. It gathers comprehensive information on varying WiFi frequencies including 2.4, 5, and 6GHZ.

The Analyzer leverages real-time metrics to gauge network health, including quality, signal strength, channel congestion, and security. It also suggests optimal WiFi channels for improved performance. It provides comprehensive data on aspects such as connectivity, latency, packet loss, speed, WiFi roaming and data flow, helping to resolve troubleshooting issues swiftly.

Additional features comprise of a ‘Monitor Mode’ to detect WiFi clients, measure Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and track packet losses. The Analyzer employs visual graphs for easy problem identification, allows device association with names for easy inventory management, and supports location tracking via GPS. Network status results can be saved to various files formats including HTML, CSV, and TXT, making it easy to use across different scenarios.

Overall, Acrylic WiFi Analyzer is a user-friendly solution with a modern interface, helping both novice and professional users with comprehensive network analysis. By delivering actionable insights and suggestions, it helps to strengthen network performance and security, thereby ensuring optimal WiFi usage and management.

1.

Acrylic Wifi Analyser

Acrylic Wifi Analyser Logo

Cisco Meraki is a sophisticated cloud-managed access point system that offers secure wireless connectivity solutions. This solution is designed to adjust network performance, ensuring it can be consistently optimized. It also helps in identifying anomalies and enforcing automated solutions for quick problem resolution.

Cisco Meraki delivers a high-performance RF design that continuously optimizes Wi-Fi performance; this is particularly useful in large, demanding environments. Other distinctive features include the ‘Meraki Health platform’ which delivers faster issue remediation and the rich analytics for performance level assurance.

Other key features of the Cisco Meraki solution include adaptive security and automated threat detection. This self-regulating platform provides automatic policy enforcement, inbuilt DNS protection, and identity-based access control for a secure wireless connection, giving you capabilities beyond securing Wi-Fi. In addition, Meraki delivers automatic network firmware updates and cloud-based multi-site management for efficient threat defense.

In summary, Cisco Meraki is an insightful solution that offers advanced wireless connectivity and security. With automatic policy enforcement, centralized cloud management, and high-performance RF design, Meraki provides a hassle-free experience, resolving issues swiftly and effectively for enhanced network performance.

2.

Cisco Meraki

Cisco Meraki Logo

CommView for WiFi is a robust wireless network monitoring and analysis tool that works across a range of network including 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax. The tool is easy to use thanks to a focus on its user-friendly interface and performance optimization.

CommView for WiFi is designed to analyze packets, troubleshoot software and hardware, and highlight potential network problems. Key features include comprehensive capture of every packet for display of crucial data such as per-node and per-channel statistics, access points and stations list, signal strength, protocol distribution charts, and the list of packets and network connections. With its reliable VoIP module, users can record and thoroughly analyze SIP and H.323 voice communications.

The solution allows you to decrypt packets using user-defined WEP or WPA/WPA2-PSK keys down to the lowest layer. It supports over 100 protocols, providing a detailed view of captured packets through its branch-like interface that displays protocol layers and packet headers. It also offers an open interface for custom decoding modules.

Overall, CommView for WiFi is an affordable and robust solution that is suitable for wireless LAN administrators, security professionals, and network programmers, helping them to understand WLAN traffic in its entirety.

3.

CommView for WiFi

CommView for WiFi Logo

Ekahau Insights is a Wi-Fi performance analytics tool that is designed to optimize network connectivity. It evaluates networks and provides instantly actionable steps to enhance Wi-Fi performance. The application provides users with a comprehensive view of their network’s performance indicators, inventory, and survey actions, granting full network visibility.

Key features include instant performance analytics which gives users immediate insight into their global network performance health. It combines predictive design and survey data from multiple users, at multiple sites for accurate assessment. The software is designed to deliver automated, easy-to-understand instructions for network optimization. Ekahau also offers an ‘Optimizer’ function that uses Sidekick 2’s intelligence to provide instant and actionable recommendations, helping users with quick network enhancements and to easily identify coverage gaps. It also has a built-in spectrum analyzer to enhance channel planning.

Beyond Wi-Fi performance analytics, Ekahau provides simplified project file management which helps to facilitate easy search and organization for users. The in-built heatmap viewer and cloud-based sharing capabilities allow the user to share project heatmaps seamlessly, thereby simplifying collaborative efforts. The software provides a real-world view of Wi-Fi quality at the client level, offering transparency on network health.

Overall, Ekahau Insights combines speed, efficiency, and thorough real-time analysis in an easy-to-use package. Its automated processes, seamless sharing capabilities, and real-world network insights make it a dependable tool for Wi-Fi optimization. We would recommend it for users needing comprehensive visibility into network health with actionable insights for instant optimization.

4.

Ekahau

Ekahau Logo

Metageek’s inSSIDer is a Wi-Fi network visualization tool aimed at facilitating faster and more secure wireless connections. The solution offers detailed information on the configuration, security, signal strength, and influence of neighbouring networks on your Wi-Fi infrastructure. It uses plain English to display your network’s performance metrics, as well as areas for Wi-Fi speed improvements, and urgent issues requiring immediate resolution.

inSSIDer features a comprehensive visibility into Wi-Fi access points’ specifications, such as channel, channel width, signal strength, Wi-Fi generation, maximum data rate, and security. All this information is conveniently displayed in a single, user-friendly list, eliminating the need to search through multiple configuration screens. The solution can also scan your Local Area Network (LAN), identifying what devices are connected and revealing key insights related to each device.

In addition to providing insights, inSSIDer also suggests potential improvements for your network. It comes with a Channels Table that indicates each channel’s congestion level, helping you to select a quieter one to improve your Wi-Fi speed. It also offers free Wi-Fi guides and video tutorials, ensuring that you get the best out of your Wi-Fi network.

In summary, inSSIDer is an effective solution for navigating Wi-Fi complexities, improving connection speed, and enhancing network security. By offering a comprehensive analysis of Wi-Fi networks and recommending improvement paths, it is a valuable tool in optimizing the performance of your Wi-Fi environment.

5.

Metageek inSSIDer

Metageek inSSIDer Logo

WatchGuard Cloud is a network management solution designed to boost wireless network security. It provides a simpler means to deploy, configure, and produce reports relating to access points using its friendly cloud-based platform. This pre-emptively eliminates the need for on-premise management solutions, thereby saving your organization’s time and resources.

The solution offers a feature known as Network Access Enforcement. This is instrumental in assessing the compliance level of devices attempting to connect to the network. By activating this on the required access points, WatchGuard ensures that your network access is granted only to devices that meet specific security standards. Additionally, WatchGuard Cloud offers real-time and historical data about CPU and memory utilization of your access points, enabling it to identify and deal with potential performance issues promptly.

WatchGuard Cloud also provides insights into the wireless network consumption of specific devices, revealing the top users, and highlighting potential connection issues. This helps to guarantee efficient bandwidth management. Detailed wireless client reports also make it easier to enhance performance, identify security risks, and assure a comfortable user experience.

Overall, WatchGuard Cloud is a comprehensive solution that can effectively enhance wireless network efficiency. With robust captive portal management, restrictive guest access capabilities, customizable branding, and guest analytics reports, WatchGuard ensures an a consistent and reliable Wi-Fi experience can be delivered for all users.

6.

WatchGuard Cloud

WatchGuard Cloud Logo
The Top 6 Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tools

Everything You Need To Know About Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tools (FAQs)

How Do Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tools Work?

Wi-Fi security and performance testing tools work by scanning wireless networks, analyzing network traffic, and simulating various scenarios to assess security vulnerabilities and performance metrics.

They use techniques such as packet sniffing, penetration testing, and signal strength measurement to evaluate the integrity of Wi-Fi networks. These tools will also identify vulnerabilities within your network, such as rogue access points, detecting intrusions, and optimizing network configurations to enhance security and performance. Overall, Wi-Fi testing tools allow organizations to proactively identify and address issues, ensuring a secure and reliable wireless network environment.

What Features Should You Look For In A Wi-Fi Security And Performance Testing Tool?

When selecting a Wi-Fi security and performance testing tool, Expert Insights recommends looking for the following features:

  1. Security Assessment: Comprehensive scanning capabilities to identify security vulnerabilities such as weak encryption, rogue access points, and unauthorized devices connected to the network. In addition to keeping you safe, this may be a requirement for compliance and insurance purposes.
  2. Penetration Testing: Built-in tools for simulating cyber-attacks and penetration testing to evaluate the effectiveness of security measures and identify potential entry points for hackers. This proactive approach gives you a greater degree of certainty that your environment is secure.
  3. Signal Strength Measurement: The ability to measure and analyze Wi-Fi signal strength, coverage areas, and interference levels ensures that you can optimize network performance and reliability.
  4. Throughput Testing: Tools for assessing Wi-Fi throughput and latency ensure optimal network performance, especially in high-traffic areas or during peak usage times. This also allows you to identify potential bottlenecks, ensuring that these can be addressed before they pose a significant issue.
  5. Encryption Analysis: The ability to analyze encryption protocols and configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices and identify potential weaknesses in encryption methods.
  6. Rogue Device Detection: Features for detecting and identifying rogue devices or unauthorized access points connected to the network, helping to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate security risks. Beyond the security benefits of this, removing unauthorized devices frees up bandwidth for actual users.
  7. Reporting and Analytics: Comprehensive reporting capabilities provide insights into security vulnerabilities, performance metrics, and recommendations for improving network security and performance. There should be functionality that allows you to share these findings with relevant stakeholders.
  8. User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for configuring tests, interpreting results, and generating reports, ensuring usability for both technical and non-technical users.
  9. Scalability: Ability to scale to accommodate large-scale network environments and support multiple testing scenarios and configurations. As your organization expands, coverage should remain consistent, without any vulnerabilities opening.
  10. Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with other network management and security tools allow you to streamline workflows and facilitate collaboration among IT teams for effective network management and security maintenance.
Written By

Alex is an experienced journalist and content editor. He researches, writes, factchecks and edits articles relating to B2B cyber security and technology solutions, working alongside software experts. Alex was awarded a First Class MA (Hons) in English and Scottish Literature by the University of Edinburgh.

Technical Review
Tom King Profile
Tom King Cybersecurity Analyst

Tom King is an Information Security Engineer. He holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Cybersecurity from Sheffield Hallam University. Tom works with Expert Insights product testing team, where he conducts independent technical reviews of cybersecurity solutions and services across a range of software categories, including email security, identity and access management, and network protection.