Using Wi-Fi Finder Apps and Web Sites

iOS Wi-Fi Finders: Because of restrictions in the App Store submission guidelines, iOS Wi-Fi finders cannot actively scan Wi-Fi nodes. As a result of this limitation popular Wi-Fi finding apps don’t actually actively scan your local networks; they use your location (as provided by the GPS chip) and existing databases of hotspots to alert you to locally available nodes.

• Wi-Fi Finder: The most popular Wi-Fi finding app in the App Store, Wi-Fi Finder taps into the vast JiWire database to help locate both free and paid Wi-Fi hotspots in your locale.
• Boingo Wi-Finder: Shows free and Boingo sponsored hotspots near your location.
• Free Wi-Fi Finder: Another location-based free Wi-Fi finder.
• WiFi Get Lite: Includes a large offline database so even if you’re having trouble getting connectivity you can still search for free Wi-Fi locations.

Android Wi-Fi Finders: Unlike the App Store restrictions Apple developers work under, Android developers have full access to the Wi-Fi component of the device. When selecting applications for Android you have your pick of Wi-Fi database apps and Wi-Fi scanners.

• Wi-Fi Finder: The same popular app from iOS, now available for Android devices.
• Free Zone Wi-Fi: In addition to helping you locate free hotspots, Free Zone Wi-Fi will automatically connect you to free Wi-Fi nodes, sync your data, and disconnect you in order to cut down on cellular data charges.
• WeFi PRO Beta: WeFi offers an interesting twist on hotspot discovery. The WeFi app both scans available hotspots and simultaneously reports them back to WeFi while showing you the best local connection.
• Open WiFi Scanner: Unlike the previous two apps, Open WiFi scanner is simply a scanning tool that enhances Android’s built-in scanning/notification tools.
• Wifi Analyzer: Although intended to diagnose networks, Wifi Analyzer is a popular and robust Wi-Fi analyzer.

Web-based Wi-Fi Indexes: Although it’s far more convenient to access Wi-Fi lists via an app specifically customized for your phone, web indexes can be useful tools for scoping out free Wi-Fi—especially if you’re already on a Wi-Fi spot and want to plan ahead for later connectivity.

• JiWire Web Search: Index of over 680,000 free and paid hotspots around the globe.
• Boingo Hotspot Search: Index of over 300,000 free and paid hotspots around the globe.
• Hotspotr: Smaller index (around 18,000) but includes reviews of locations.
• Open WiFi Spots: Catalogs 65,000+ spots in the US.

Between the phone-based and web-based apps you should have little problem finding nearby hotspots.