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Bring Your Own Hardware (BYOD)
Already have WiFi access points? CaptiFi can work with your existing hardware. This page covers Lite, our one-venue plan, then helps you find the right setup guide and shows what a BYOD integration needs.
Prefer a CaptiFi device?
If your hardware isn't compatible, or you would like a simpler setup, every plan includes a CaptiFi plug-and-play device on a refundable deposit of £60, $99, €79, C$99, A$129 or NZ$149 depending on your billing currency (see Hardware). It works alongside your existing WiFi with no configuration on your router.
The Lite plan
Lite is a one-venue plan. It runs on your own WiFi (UniFi, TP-Link Omada, Cisco Meraki or one of the other supported platforms) or on the CaptiFi WiFi device.
| Currency | Monthly | Annual, per year |
|---|---|---|
| GBP | £19.99 | £190 |
| USD | $24.99 | $240 |
| EUR | €21.99 | €210 |
| CAD | C$34.99 | C$335 |
| AUD | A$38.99 | A$375 |
| NZD | NZ$44.99 | NZ$430 |
What Lite includes
- Your branded splash page, with the "Powered by CaptiFi" credit shown
- Guest data capture with GDPR consent, and the guest log with CSV export
- The QR code generator
- One venue
- Up to 500 new guests a month
- Email support
The CaptiFi WiFi device comes on Lite on the same terms as every other plan. A refundable deposit of £60, $99, €79, C$99, A$129 or NZ$149, depending on your billing currency, is taken when you order it and refunded when you return it.
Once a month's 500 new guests are used, further new guests are refused until the allowance resets, as on Essentials at 1,000. Returning guests keep getting online. See what counts as a guest.
What is not on Lite
Visit analytics, connected guests, reports, the Planner, paid WiFi, vouchers, team members, the AI assistant, contact import, email and SMS marketing, review requests, rewards, events, bookings and integrations are not on Lite. Neither is a second venue. The plan table shows which plan adds each one.
The Lite dashboard
The sidebar on my.captifi.io has eight items: Dashboard, My Locations, Guest Visits, QR Generator, WiFi Access Points, Profile, Billing and Help & Support.
The Dashboard home page shows:
- the first-guest checklist while you are getting set up
- your allowance for the month, for example "312 of 500 new guests this month", and the date it resets
- the contacts you have collected, your marketing opt-ins and the new guests this month
- your recent guests, with an Export CSV button
- an upgrade card that shows how many opted-in guests you have and what Essentials adds
If you open a link to a page that is not on Lite, a locked card with an upgrade to Essentials shows in its place.
Who can choose Lite
- New sign-ups, at captifi.io/trial
- An account whose trial has ended without a subscription, with one venue, no venue on paid WiFi or voucher access and no team members: Lite is offered with the other plans on the Billing page
- An account owner who cancels because CaptiFi is too expensive or not used enough, on an eligible account: see Switch to Lite instead
If you already pay for Essentials or above, email hello@captifi.io to move to Lite.
Moving up from Lite
On Billing, click Change plan and pick Essentials or above. The upgrade takes effect straight away and is prorated for the rest of your billing period. Essentials adds automated Google review requests, 1,000 marketing emails a month and extra venues. See Plans & Pricing.
Supported Platforms
We have integration guides for the following platforms:
| Platform | Integration Type | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Ubiquiti UniFi | Controller API (or Remote Tunnel) | UniFi Guide |
| TP-Link Omada | Controller API + external portal | TP-Link Guide |
| Aruba Instant On | External portal + RADIUS, values generated by the set-up wizard | Aruba Guide |
| Ruckus Wireless | Hotspot (WISPr) + RADIUS | Ruckus Guide |
| Fortinet FortiGate / FortiAP | External captive portal + RADIUS | Fortinet Guide |
| Cisco Meraki | Click-through splash, URL generated by the set-up wizard | Meraki Guide |
| Cisco Catalyst 9800 / AireOS WLC | RADIUS + CoA (CWA), config pack generated by the set-up wizard | Cisco Guide |
| MikroTik | Hotspot (assisted setup) | MikroTik Guide |
| DrayTek | Assisted setup | Contact support |
| Other | Varies | Contact support |
General Requirements
For any hardware to work with CaptiFi, it must support:
- An external captive portal, which redirects guests to an external URL to sign in and passes the guest's device (MAC) details
- A way to authorise guests: a controller API CaptiFi can call, RADIUS authentication against
radius.captifi.io, or a click-through grant flow (like Meraki) - Walled garden or pre-auth access, so guests can reach CaptiFi domains (at least
app.captifi.io) before they sign in - Guest network isolation, which we recommend for security (a separate VLAN or guest network)
How BYOD Works
Guest connects to WiFi
↓
Access point detects unauthenticated guest
↓
Guest is redirected to CaptiFi splash page
↓
Guest completes login (name, email, etc.)
↓
CaptiFi authenticates via API / RADIUS
↓
Access point grants internet access- Your access point detects a new guest connection
- It redirects the guest to the CaptiFi portal URL
- The guest completes the splash page login (name, email, and any custom questions)
- CaptiFi authenticates the guest via your AP's API or RADIUS
- The guest is granted internet access
Setup Checklist
Before starting any BYOD integration, make sure you have:
| Done | Item |
|---|---|
| Admin access to your access point or controller | |
| Access point firmware is up to date | |
| A CaptiFi account at my.captifi.io | |
| Your hardware model and firmware version noted down | |
| Ability to create / edit a guest WiFi network |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Splash page not appearing | Ensure your AP is configured for external captive portal and the portal URL points to CaptiFi |
| "Portal unreachable" error | Check that walled garden / pre-auth entries include *.captifi.io and app.captifi.io |
| Guests can't get online after login | Verify RADIUS or API authentication is correctly configured; check for firewall rules blocking post-auth traffic |
| Broken or unstyled splash page | Add fonts.googleapis.com and fonts.gstatic.com to the walled garden |
| Hardware not listed above | Contact us. We may still be able to integrate, or you can use a CaptiFi device instead |
Don't See Your Hardware?
Contact us at hello@captifi.io with:
- Your hardware brand and model
- Current firmware version
- Whether you have controller / management access
We'll let you know if we can integrate and help you get set up.
Next Steps
- CaptiFi device setup, if you'd prefer the plug-and-play option
- Customise your splash page
- Set up email campaigns (Essentials and above)
- Common issues
Need Help?
Every network is different. If you're unsure which setup is right for you, or you're stuck during configuration:
- Email: hello@captifi.io
- Live Chat: Available on captifi.io