Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps

SoftPerfect Network Scanner vs Airward

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SoftPerfect Network Scanner #6 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit SoftPerfect
Airward #8 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Airward

SoftPerfect Network Scanner leads on 0 checks, Airward on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSoftPerfect Network Scanner · 7.8/10
  • Free planonly Airward
  • Most featuresAirward · 3 of 3

SoftPerfect Network Scanner scores higher on our rubric for wi-fi security scanner apps: 7.8 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Airward offers free plan; SoftPerfect Network Scanner doesn't.

SoftPerfect Network Scanner is the better fit for cross-platform desktop network diagnostics. Airward is the better fit for mac users seeking Wi-Fi security change alerts.

  • SoftPerfect Network Scanner fits best

    Cross-platform desktop network diagnostics

  • Airward fits best

    Mac users seeking Wi-Fi security change alerts

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SoftPerfect Network Scanner 7.8/10 Visit ↗ Airward 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.8 7.7
Ranking #6 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps #8 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps
Best for Cross-platform desktop network diagnostics Mac users seeking Wi-Fi security change alerts
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — €39.99 one-time
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features SoftPerfect Network Scanner 0/3 · Airward 3/3
Device discovery Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Security checks Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Monitoring alerts Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux macos
Scan method Not checked yet Both
Our review
Pros
  • Discovers IPv4 and IPv6 devices and scans TCP, UDP and SNMP ports
  • Monitors latency, packet loss and jitter, with background notifications
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and integrates with Nmap
  • Free plan includes live device inventory and on-demand rescans
  • Pro detects rogue access points and encryption downgrades
  • Local analysis keeps inventory and event history on the Mac
Cons
  • Paid product with no permanent unrestricted free plan
  • Not focused specifically on Wi-Fi security scanning
  • The unlimited-duration trial is limited to displaying 10 devices
  • Available only for macOS 14 or later
  • Change alerts and full event history require Pro
  • Focused on local Wi-Fi monitoring rather than broader security
Our verdict

SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a desktop network administration tool for Windows, macOS and Linux. It is aimed at system administrators, businesses, home users and network support work that calls for device discovery, inventory or…

Read the review →

Airward is a macOS app for people who want to inventory devices on a local network and watch for suspicious Wi-Fi changes. It identifies devices by vendor, IP address, type and open ports, and lets users name, label and mark devices as…

Read the review →
  1. SoftPerfect Network ScannerWi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 7.8Paid
  2. AirwardWi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 7.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SoftPerfect Network Scanner — where it wins

    • Discovers IPv4 and IPv6 devices and scans TCP, UDP and SNMP ports
    • Monitors latency, packet loss and jitter, with background notifications
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and integrates with Nmap

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid product with no permanent unrestricted free plan
    • Not focused specifically on Wi-Fi security scanning
    • The unlimited-duration trial is limited to displaying 10 devices

  • Airward — where it wins

    • Free plan includes live device inventory and on-demand rescans
    • Pro detects rogue access points and encryption downgrades
    • Local analysis keeps inventory and event history on the Mac

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only for macOS 14 or later
    • Change alerts and full event history require Pro
    • Focused on local Wi-Fi monitoring rather than broader security

More comparisons

All Wi-Fi security scanner apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update