CaptiFi vs Purple WiFi - Honest Comparison (2026)

Quick verdict: CaptiFi or Purple WiFi?

Purple suits large enterprises that have a contracted, dedicated account manager and need location intelligence or wayfinding. On G2 it averages 4.08/5 across 39 reviews, 3.94 excluding partner reviews, but small-business reviewers average only 3.61/5, and support is its most-cited complaint. CaptiFi is built for independent venues and small chains: responsive support, a no-code splash builder with preview mode, easy CSV export, transparent pricing, and hardware included.

About Purple WiFi

What is Purple WiFi?

Purple is one of the most established guest-WiFi platforms in the world, focused on enterprise multi-site operators (large hotel chains, retail brands, stadiums, transport hubs). They emphasise customer-journey analytics, location intelligence, and integrations with enterprise CRMs and analytics tools. Pricing reflects the enterprise positioning: they typically don't publish prices on the website and require a sales call. On G2 Purple averages 4.08 out of 5 across 39 reviews, 3.94 excluding partner reviews, and small-business reviewers average 3.61. Smaller, single-site operators are the most likely to find it hard to use and hard to get support from.

purple.ai

Side by side

Feature comparison

Feature
Starter device included (refundable hold)	Yes	No
Native UniFi support	Yes	Yes
Native TP-Link Omada support	Yes	enterprise tier
Native Cisco Meraki support	Yes	Yes
Aruba / MikroTik / Ruckus support	Yes	Yes
Multi-venue dashboard	Yes	Yes
Live chat support, under 2 hour response	Yes	reviewers report slow
Splash page preview / test mode before publishing	Yes	No
Export your guest data anytime (CSV)	Yes	reviewers report slow exports
Visual splash editor, no HTML required	Yes	HTML knowledge helps
Built-in email marketing automation	Yes	Yes
Automated Google review requests	Yes	limited
Toast POS / spend-based segmentation	Yes	enterprise add-on
Leat / loyalty integration	Yes	enterprise add-on
Twilio SMS welcome messages	Yes	enterprise add-on
Self-serve sign-up	Yes	No
Public, transparent pricing	Yes	No
Monthly billing (no annual lock-in)	Yes	No
30-day free trial	Yes	No

Last reviewed 2026-06-13. Pricing and features change - check Purple WiFi's site for the most current information.

Purple WiFi strengths

Mature enterprise platform with many years in the market
Deep customer-journey analytics and location-intelligence features
Strong integrations with enterprise CRMs (Salesforce, etc.)
Used by large global brands - proven at scale (10,000+ locations)
Wayfinding / indoor-navigation product that most WiFi-marketing rivals do not offer

Where CaptiFi differs

Support is the most-cited Purple weakness on G2. One 0/5 reviewer wrote: "You can always get through to sales but never to support." Several reviewers describe support as slow or hard to reach.
Steep learning curve for smaller operators: on G2 small-business reviewers average 3.61/5 versus 4.59 for enterprise, and one 0/5 review says Purple "suits pros who look after large multi businesses, not for very busy mere mortals who have single access points"
Splash-page editor has historically needed HTML knowledge; reviewers ask for a no-code visual builder
No preview or test mode before publishing: one 0/5 reviewer spent 4 hours chasing a login loop with no way to test the change
Data export is described as slow for large data sets, with reviewers reporting it is hard to get their own data out
Pricing is opaque and typically only viable for multi-site enterprise contracts; sales-led, contract-based onboarding
No advertised hardware-included option for SMBs

Who should pick what

Honest recommendations

Pick Purple WiFi if

Large multi-site enterprises with a contracted, dedicated account manager, complex CRM stacks, location-intelligence or wayfinding needs, and budget for an enterprise contract and onboarding programme.

Pick CaptiFi if

Independent venues and SMB chains (1-50 locations) who want responsive support they can actually reach, a no-code splash builder with preview mode, easy data export, clear public pricing, self-serve onboarding, monthly billing, and a starter device included for the trial (refundable hold).

Pricing

Pricing side by side

CaptiFi

£39/month billed annually

or £49/month month-to-month

Hardware included (refundable hold)
Every integration included on every plan
30-day free trial. £0 today.

See full CaptiFi pricing

Purple WiFi

Quote-based / contact sales. Generally aimed at multi-site enterprise contracts; not optimised for single-venue SMB pricing.

Last reviewed 2026-06-13. Check Purple WiFi's site for current pricing.

Proof

A real venue on CaptiFi

Case Study

PytchAir

hospitality

How Johnny Palmer turned guest WiFi on his Boeing 727 Airbnb into a direct marketing channel: 400+ guest emails captured monthly and a 35% return booking rate.

400+

Emails Per Month

35%

Return Booking Rate

Read the case study

The switch

How switching from Purple WiFi works

1

Start your free trial

Sign up in minutes. 30-day free trial. £0 today. Hardware included (refundable hold), and nothing is billed during the trial.

2

Connect your WiFi

Point your existing access points at CaptiFi (UniFi, TP-Link Omada, Cisco Meraki, Aruba, MikroTik, Ruckus and more) or plug in the starter device we ship.

3

Switch off Purple WiFi

Rebuild your splash page, turn on email and review automation, and cancel your Purple WiFi subscription once you're confident.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo

Weighing up a move? Read the Purple WiFi alternative guide or see all comparisons.

Common questions

CaptiFi vs Purple WiFi FAQs

Is CaptiFi cheaper than Purple WiFi?

Quote-based / contact sales. Generally aimed at multi-site enterprise contracts; not optimised for single-venue SMB pricing.

When should I pick Purple WiFi over CaptiFi?

Large multi-site enterprises with a contracted, dedicated account manager, complex CRM stacks, location-intelligence or wayfinding needs, and budget for an enterprise contract and onboarding programme.

When is CaptiFi the better choice?

Independent venues and SMB chains (1-50 locations) who want responsive support they can actually reach, a no-code splash builder with preview mode, easy data export, clear public pricing, self-serve onboarding, monthly billing, and a starter device included for the trial (refundable hold).