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Difference between WiFi and HotSpot

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Wifi stands for Wireless Fidelity is a wireless communication technology that is used for LAN(Local Area Networks). Wifi uses electromagnetic waves under the radio frequency band 2.4GHz for wireless communication. Wifi is established by using a wireless device in order to create a hotspot. There would be no hotspot without wifi. Wifi is more secure and flexible. It can be used to connect gaming consoles, printers, computers, etc. 

Hotspot is created using wifi. The hotspot provides internet to wireless devices by using wifi. A hotspot is created using an access point device, but in normal use, a hotspot and an access point can mean the same. An access point is usually connected to a gateway or router, that is connected to the Internet. Hotspots are less secure than private wifi because they are commonly used in public places. Let’s see the difference between wifi and hotspot.

Wifi Hotspot
Wifi is a wireless communication technology that is used for LAN(Local Area Networks). Whereas the hotspot provides internet to wireless devices by using wifi.
There is no hotspot without wifi. Whereas a hotspot is created using wifi.
Wifi is used between wireless devices and as an access point for interconnection. While the hotspot is created using an access point device that is connected to the router.
Wifi provides high speed as compared to a hotspot in the case of multiple users. The hotspot offers a lower speed than wifi in the case of many users.
Wifi services are provided by the local area Internet service provider. Whereas the hotspot services are largely provided by cellular or phone corporations.
Wifi is more secure in comparison to the hotspot. Hotspots are less secure than private wifi as they are typically used in public places.
In wifi, electromagnetic waves under the radio frequency band 2.4GHz are used for communication. Whereas in the hotspot, wifi technology is used in order to connect the devices to the access point for sharing the internet.
The Wifi is at the end of the receiver of internet services. Whereas Hotspot is at the end of the donor of internet services.
It is a family of protocols. It is a physical location.
The network provider is having complete control over who can access its network. It is like a closed access as provider can change WiFi password or even limit can be imposed on the number of users who can have the facility of joining the network by constraining its access. Even the modem can be turned off leading to disconnect from network. Public places like airports, restaurants, etc. are the common hotspot points for open service providers. So, several users can use this facility but the settings are under the administrator’s control only. 
Expense is incurred for using the facility of WiFi. Multiple corporations provide this facility at no expense.
Cyber attacks will not be a problem until you are using end-to-end encrypted network. There can be an issue of sensitive information stealing as hackers can guess the password of public hotspots. So, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service is a must while using hotspot at public places.

Last Updated : 04 Aug, 2022
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