When speaking of someone or something is cute, this can be taken in several different ways. When saying that a person is cute, you could mean that they are attractive and pretty in a charming and non-threatening way. You could also be talking about an animal such as a kitten or a puppy.
The intense feelings the person derives from petting the kitten or puppy makes the person feel endeared to it. You could also say that an object is cute, such as an outfit someone is wearing or a movie they are watching. On the other hand, when you tell someone is hot, it implies the person has sex appeal, or they are attractive beautifully or interestingly.
It could also imply that the person is lustful or exotic. You could even say that a particular thing or item is hot, such as a popular new song or an interesting looking new upgraded phone. Either way, cute and hot can mean similar things.