Differences between WiFi and WiMAX
The following differences between WiFi and WiMAX are given below:
| No. | WiFi | WiMAX |
| 1 | WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity. | WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. |
| 2 | It is IEEE 802.11x standard where x refers to various WiFi versions. | It is IEEE 802.16y standard where y refers to various WiMAX versions. |
| 3 | WiFi has several versions such as 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n. | WiMAX has a number of different versions such as 802.16a, 802.16d and 802.16e. |
| 4 | WiFi has been defined under ISM bands where users need to pay no additional charges for utilizing those bands. | WiMAX protocols might work in ISM bands or they might use a licensed frequency version for which users may need to pay additional charges. |
| 5 | WiFi-based networking can transfer data at a speed upto 54 Mbps. | WiMAX networks exchange data at a speed upto 40 Mbps. |
| 6 | WiFi networks have a channel bandwidth of 20 MHz. | WiMAX networks have a flexible bandwidth ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz. |
| 7 | WiFi MAC layer uses CSMA/CA protocol which is not connection-oriented. | WiMAX is connection-oriented. |
| 8 | The encryption techniques are Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and RC4 in WiFi. | Encryption techniques in WiMAX include Triple Data Encryption Algorithm and Advanced Encryption Standards. |
| 9 | WiFi is a short-range technology. | WiMAX is a long-range technology. |
| 10 | WiFi is mostly a user technology. Users can purchase the devices and configure those by themselves. | WiMAX is usually pre-configured by the service providers. |
