WiFi or WLAN: What's behind the two terms

Every modern device uses WiFi or WLAN to connect to a network. Here, the term WiFi is the name of the verification of a device by the WiFi Alliance. WLAN, on the other hand, describes the radio network and stands for "Wireless Local Area Network". So the two terms stand for something completely different.

What is the difference between WiFi and WLAN?

The two terms WiFi and WLAN are very often used synonymously. However, WLAN stands for "Wireless Local Area Network" or "Wireless Local Area Network" and is used to connect devices to and across the network without wires. WiFi, on the other hand, is a type of WLAN. Every WiFi is a WLAN, but not every WLAN is a WiFi. Strictly speaking, WiFi is a certification awarded by the WiFi Alliance according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. A quick overview of the differences can be beneficial.

1. WLAN is a local wireless network and comes from the term LAN, which stands for "Local Area Network" or "Loakes network". The "W" stands for "Wireless" (wireless).
2. WiFi is a radio network standard that verifies that devices that meet this standard are also compatible with other devices of this standard and can connect to them.
3. In Germany, a wireless network is usually said WLAN. In other countries, the term Wifi is more common.