What is the Difference Between Wi-Fi and Hotspot

Wi-Fi and hotspot both allow you to connect to the internet. In simple words, they create a wireless network that phones, laptops, and tablets can join. However, the way they work is very different.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and hotspot? Wi-Fi uses a fixed broadband or fiber connection and is normally used at home, in offices, or in public places. A hotspot, on the other hand, uses mobile data from a phone or portable device to share internet on the go.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Wi-Fi 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Hotspot
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Wi-Fi and Hotspot
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Wi-Fi and Hotspot
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Wi-Fi and Hotspot
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Wi-Fi, Hotspot, Internet

What is Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to the internet without using cables. Instead of plugging in with a wire, devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, printers, etc.) connect through radio waves sent from a Wi-Fi router. When you join a Wi-Fi network, you are really connecting to a router that gives your device access to the internet.

Wi-Fi can also connect devices to each other, not just to the internet. For example, you can send a file from your phone to your laptop, stream a video to your smart TV, or print a document using a wireless printer. This all happens through the same network.

A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that sends out the Wi-Fi signal so other devices can connect. It works like a central hub. Some routers already have a built-in access point, but in big areas (like schools, offices, or malls) extra access points are used to extend the Wi-Fi signal so more people can connect.

What is Hotspot

A hotspot is a feature that allows a device (usually a smartphone) to share its internet connection with other nearby devices, like laptops, tablets, or other phones. When the hotspot is turned on, the phone creates a small Wi-Fi network using its cellular data; other devices can connect to it just like they would connect to regular Wi-Fi. The connection is protected with a password, so only people who have the code can join.

Most modern smartphones already have a hotspot function in their settings. This means you can turn your phone into a portable Wi-Fi source anytime you need internet on the go. This makes hotspots especially useful when there is no public Wi-Fi available – for example, during travel, outdoor work, or a home internet outage. A hotspot lets you use your existing mobile data plan to get online from almost anywhere and allows multiple devices to connect at the same time.

Similarities Between Wi-Fi and Hotspot

1. Both allow you to connect to the internet.
2. They rely on radio waves to send and receive data without using cables.
3. Both need a password to keep the connection secure and prevent unwanted access.

Difference Between Wi-Fi and Hotspot

Definition

• Wi-Fi is a wireless internet connection that comes from a router, whereas hotspot is a shared internet connection that comes from a phone or portable device using mobile data.

Equipment

• Wi-Fi comes from a router connected to a broadband or fiber connection, while a hotspot uses mobile data from a phone or SIM-based device.

Type of Connection

• Wi-Fi is a fixed wireless connection, whereas a hotspot is a portable connection.

Data Usage

• Wi-Fi often offers unlimited or high-limit data plans, but a hotspot uses mobile data, which may be limited and more expensive.

Speed and Stability

• Wi-Fi is generally faster and more stable, while hotspot speed depends on mobile network strength and may slow down in poor signal areas.

Devices Supported

• Wi-Fi routers can handle many devices at once, but a hotspot usually supports fewer devices and may lag when too many connect.

Power Usage

• Wi-Fi runs on a router with constant power, while a hotspot drains the phone battery quickly because it uses both data and Wi-Fi sharing at the same time.

FAQ: Wi-Fi and Hotspot

1. What is the difference between a mobile hotspot and a WiFi router?

A mobile hotspot uses mobile data from a SIM card to create a small Wi-Fi network, while a Wi-Fi router uses a fixed internet connection (like broadband or fiber) to provide Wi-Fi in a home or building.

2. Which is faster, WiFi or hotspot?

Wi-Fi is usually faster because it uses a fixed broadband or fiber connection, while a hotspot depends on mobile data, which can be slower and affected by signal strength.

3. Is a hotspot a WiFi network?

A hotspot creates a Wi-Fi network, but it uses mobile data to provide the internet instead of a home broadband connection. In other words, a hotspot is a temporary Wi-Fi network made by a phone or portable device.

4. Can I have WiFi and hotspot at the same time?

You can have Wi-Fi and a hotspot at the same time, but it depends on the device. Some phones can share a Wi-Fi connection through a hotspot, but many only allow hotspot sharing using mobile data.

Reference:

1. “What is a Hotspot?” Lenovo.

2. “What Is Wi-Fi?” Cisco.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Phone connecting to Wifi” (CC0) via by Doughnutew form PxHere

2. “Wifi Hotspot” (CC0) via StockValut