What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Hotspot?

WiFi is a technology that is used for local area networking. The interconnection is done through radiofrequency electromagnetic waves and rules under which communication occurs defined in the protocols named IEEE 802.11. On the other hand, a hotspot is a place that provides internet access to devices using WiFi. A hot spot is created through a machine known as an access point.

WiFi stands for wireless fidelity, which is a wireless interaction equipment used for Local Area Networks. Today laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras, and even televisions contain WiFi modules, making it an extensively utilized technology for home networking. All typical operating systems, including Windows, Linux, OS, X, iOS, and Android, have built-in support for WiFi.

Hotspots are places that offer internet access using WiFi. A hotspot is generated using a device known as an access point. WiFi hotspots are discovered in public places, such as airports, stores, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, libraries, public payphones, train stations, schools, and universities. The most common way to connect is to share the internet connection at home across various devices.

Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity is a technology that is based on the IEEE 802 protocol family. It allows users to access the internet wirelessly. On the other hand, a hotspot refers to a physical location where you can access the Internet. When a hotspot is turned on in a particular place, it creates more access points for users to connect to the internet. Users will then access these points using their Wi-Fi. In other words, if Wi-Fi is a set of protocols that connects users to the Internet over a local area network, a hotspot should be seen like a physical location that allows multiple devices to connect to the internet via a central device. Wi-Fi is provided by Internet service providers. In contrast, you can use hotspots in public places such as schools, hotels, restaurants, etc. Wi-Fi provides a more secure internet connection compared to a hotspot.

Wi-Fi and hotspot are most times thought by many people to be the same, simply because they are technologies that allow mobile devices to connect to the internet. Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity uses radiofrequency to get mobile devices such as smartphones or laptops connected to the internet. Wi-Fi does not make use of the actual cables to connect devices that have IEEE 802.11 network standards. On the other hand, hotspot is more or less like a wireless access point that uses Wi-Fi to connect mobile devices to the internet. Hotspot makes use of any wireless local area networks in a particular location to get people’s devices connected to the internet wirelessly. Wi-Fi allows users to be in total control of the network as they get to decide who can or cannot connect to their network. On the contrary, hotspot is not totally a closed access network like Wi-Fi since it can be used freely in public places like café, airports, hotels, streets, etc.

WiFi is something that you would use when you want to make sure that there are different devices that will be connected to the internet without the need for a cable. The hotspot can be an access point device. This will be connected to a router so that there are also different devices that will be able to connect to the internet through the access point. Take note that between the two, WiFi is considered to be more secure, especially if you are only going to use it at home, and you have private WiFi. Hotspots may normally be used in public places, so they are not as secure as WiFis.

Are you sometimes confused between the difference between WiFi and hotspot? When you say WiFi, this is known to be the access point that will allow various devices to be connected to each other. When you say hotspot, this is known to be a device that will be in charge of providing WiFi connection to those who would connect to it.

The hotspot would work as long as the device will have an access point from which everyone who is allowed will be able to connect easily. Take note that one difference between the two is security. A hotspot is known to be less secure as compared to a private WiFi so make sure that you will choose wisely.