iStumbler or MacStumbler?

Posted on July 7th, 2005

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Which one do you use? I have downloaded both. iStumler seems more comprehensive but the GUI is less than helpful. IMHO. MacStumbler though mainly for looking up nearby 802.11b/g mainly it has the mac drawer concept, looks crisp and has better icons… alright I am getting a bit vain but really Macstumbler is more eye-candy than iStumbler, then again the latter seems to offer more features. What’s your thought on this?

screengrab of macstumbler

screengrab of istumbler

iStumbler is the leading wireless discovery tool for Mac OS X, providing free and open source tools for finding AirPort networks, Bluetooth devices, Bonjour services, and GPS locations with your Mac.

MacStumbler is a utility to display information about nearby 802.11b and 802.11g wireless access points. It is mainly designed to be a tool to help find access points while traveling, or to diagnose wireless network problems. Additionally, MacStumbler can be used for “wardriving”, which involves co-ordinating with a GPS unit while traveling around to help produce a map of all access points in a given area.

Version tracker seems to give them both a very good rating!

  • http://istumbler.net/ istumbler

    As the author I am a little biased, but there are lots of things that seperate iStumbler from Macstumbler:

    More information: You get information about AirPort networks, Bluetooth devices and Bonjour services not just airport. iStumbler also shows extra information about the network you are connected to, not just those that respond to probes, so it can be used to monitor signal strength on your closed network.

    More updates: a new release of iStumbler comes out every month, MacStumbler has only been updated a few times, and not since July 2003.

  • http://karmakars.com Amit

    Thank you, I appreciate you replying this. I see you point and have to agree with you there. iStumbler is packed with features and am also looking forward to the next set of of updates. Are you looking to make any cosmetic changes as such?

  • http://istumbler.net/ istumbler

    There are a LOT of cosmetic changes on the schedule, every release I work to make iStumbler easier by integrating suggestions from users. So if you have any ideas for making iStumbler easier to use please send them along to: alf@istumbler.net.

  • http://karmakars.com Amit

    Sure will thanks Alf. Look forward to the new changes soon. :) And good to see your all new DeskLamp.

  • http://www.chimoosoft.com/apgrapher.html Megan

    AP Grapher is also another option but doesn’t show bonjour or bluetooth devices. Still, it offers persistent history of best wireless access points and many graphing options for the currently connected base station. Might want to check it out as well!

    http://www.chimoosoft.com/apgrapher.html

  • http://www.myspace.com/guntherv gunther

    have you ever heard of kismac? it is supposed to be, among other things, a wireless finder and cracker. but it is a very complex program and i am still new to mac and unix, so i couldnt get it to do what i wanted it for. i travel often, and take my macbook with me, and it would be helpful to be able to get on more networks…is there any advice, or another program i could try? or is this also maybe in the future of iStumble?

  • http://karmakars.com Amit

    I know of Kismac but haven’t really used it.

    WiFind from TastyApps is another good find that gives you signal strength as well but it isnt free.

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