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

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard vs Airward

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
4 checks side by side

Higher score SoftPerfect WiFi Guard #2 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 2 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 WiFi Guard leads on 0 checks, Airward on 2, and 2 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 WiFi Guard · 8.6/10
Free planonly Airward
Most featuresAirward · 3 of 3

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard scores higher on our rubric for wi-fi security scanner apps: 8.6 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Airward offers free plan; SoftPerfect WiFi Guard doesn't. Airward offers security checks; SoftPerfect WiFi Guard doesn't. On scan method, Airward gives you Both where SoftPerfect WiFi Guard offers Local network.

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard is the better fit for simple unknown-device alerts on desktop. Airward is the better fit for mac users seeking Wi-Fi security change alerts.

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard fits best
Simple unknown-device alerts on desktop
Airward fits best
Mac users seeking Wi-Fi security change alerts

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	SoftPerfect WiFi Guard 8.6/10 Visit ↗	Airward 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	7.7
Ranking	#2 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps	#8 in Wi-Fi Security Scanner Apps
Best for	Simple unknown-device alerts on desktop	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	Docs, Community	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features SoftPerfect WiFi Guard 2/3 · Airward 3/3
Device discovery	✓	✓
Security checks	—	✓ (best)
Monitoring alerts	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	macos
Scan method	Local network	Both
Our review
Pros	Scans local networks on a schedule and alerts for new or unknown devices Shows IP and MAC addresses, device names, and vendor information Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with perpetual licence options	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 licences are required to remove the evaluation's 10-device display limit Does not provide security checks for detected devices Desktop-only, with support through documentation and community	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 WiFi Guard is a desktop application for individuals and small offices that want to see which devices are connected to a Wi-Fi or local network. It scans the local network, lists detected devices, and can notify users when a new… 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 →

S SoftPerfect WiFi GuardWi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 8.6Paid
A AirwardWi-Fi Security Scanner Apps 7.7Free plan

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard — where it wins
- Scans local networks on a schedule and alerts for new or unknown devices
- Shows IP and MAC addresses, device names, and vendor information
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with perpetual licence options
Where it doesn't
- Paid licences are required to remove the evaluation's 10-device display limit
- Does not provide security checks for detected devices
- Desktop-only, with support through documentation and community
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

SoftPerfect WiFi Guard8.6/10 · Paid
A focused desktop scanner for spotting and tracking unknown network devices.
Visit SoftPerfect Full verdict →
Airward7.7/10 · Free plan
A macOS Wi-Fi scanner with free inventory and paid change alerts.
Visit Airward Full verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we research and update