Modern smartphones allow you to share your internet connection with other devices. Two common methods are tethering and hotspot usage. While they serve a similar purpose, they function differently and offer varying levels of control, speed, and compatibility. If you use a global eSIM while traveling abroad, knowing how to manage your mobile data across multiple devices can help you avoid unnecessary costs and technical issues.

Tethering vs Hotspot: What Are the Differences?

Tethering is a broader term that includes different ways to share mobile data, while a hotspot usually refers to a Wi-Fi-based network created by your phone or a portable device. The table below provides a comparison of key features between tethering and hotspot usage:

Table 1: Key differences between tethering and hotspot usage

Note: When choosing between tethering and hotspot, consider how many devices you need to connect, how important speed is, and how long you’ll need the connection.

What Is Tethering?

Tethering means using your phone’s mobile data to provide internet access to another device, like a laptop or tablet. It allows your phone to act as a bridge between a cellular network and another device that needs a connection. There are three common ways to tether your device:

• You can use USB tethering to connect your phone to a computer with a cable. This method often provides the most stable and fast connection.

• You can use Bluetooth tethering to share your data wirelessly with one device at a time, usually for light tasks like messaging or checking email.

• You can use Wi-Fi tethering, which turns your phone into a wireless access point and allows multiple devices to connect using a password.

Each method offers different advantages depending on your needs, battery limits, and available ports.

What Is a Hotspot?

A hotspot is a feature that lets your phone share its mobile data by creating a local Wi-Fi network. Other devices can connect to this network just like they would to any regular Wi-Fi signal. This is especially useful when you need to connect laptops, tablets, or other phones without a separate internet source. There are two common ways to use a hotspot:

• You can turn on the mobile hotspot feature on your phone, which creates a temporary Wi-Fi network using your cellular data.

• You can use a dedicated hotspot device, which is a portable router with its own SIM or eSIM that provides internet access independently of your phone.

Note: Most smartphones today support mobile hotspots, but the number of connected devices and speed may vary depending on your phone model and data plan. 

For more information, you can read our post on How to Check Hotspot Usage.

Is USB Tethering Faster Than a Mobile Hotspot?

Sometimes. USB tethering is usually faster and more reliable than using a mobile hotspot, especially when connecting a single device. This is because USB provides a direct, wired connection, which reduces signal loss and improves data transfer. In contrast, a mobile hotspot relies on Wi-Fi, which can be affected by distance, interference, and the number of connected devices.

Does Tethering Use Less Data Than a Hotspot?

Not always. Both tethering and hotspot use data from your mobile plan, and the total amount consumed depends more on how you use the connection than on the method itself. For example, sharing a hotspot with multiple people streaming videos will likely use more data than USB tethering to a single laptop for checking email or browsing the web. Background updates, automatic syncing, or app downloads on connected devices can also increase data usage without you realizing it.

USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi: Which Tethering Option Should You Choose?

There are three common ways to share your phone’s mobile data: USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what kind of connection you need, how many devices you want to use, and how much battery you’re willing to use. Here’s how the three tethering options compare based on speed, battery use, and typical scenarios:

Table 2: Comparison of tethering methods by speed, battery impact, and usage scenario

Note: If you want a fast and energy-efficient connection for one device, USB tethering is often the most practical option.

How to Enable Tethering or Hotspot on Your Phone

You can share your mobile data with other devices using tethering or a mobile hotspot. The steps may vary depending on your phone’s operating system and the type of connection you want to use. Below are the general instructions for Android and iPhone users:

On Android

1. Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet or Connections, depending on your device.

2. Tap on Hotspot & tethering or a similar menu [1].

3. Choose your preferred method: Wi-Fi hotspot, USB tethering, or Bluetooth tethering.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions. For USB, connect your phone to the device with a cable.

On iPhones

1. Go to Settings and tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.

2. Select Personal Hotspot [2].

3. Toggle on Allow Others to Join to create a Wi-Fi network.

4. To use USB tethering, connect your iPhone to a computer and follow any prompts that appear.

Note: Make sure your mobile plan supports data sharing and that you have an active connection.

Which One Is Better: Tethering or Hotspot?

It depends on how you plan to use your mobile internet connection. If you're connecting just one device and want more speed and control, USB tethering is often a more efficient option. If you need to share your connection with multiple devices wirelessly, using a mobile hotspot may be more practical. You can use the following points to help decide what fits your situation:

• Choose USB tethering when you need a direct and stable connection for one device, such as a laptop.

• Choose a mobile hotspot if you want to connect several devices without cables.

• Use Bluetooth tethering only for short, low-data tasks where battery life matters.

The most suitable option depends on your needs, how many devices you use, and how long you'll need mobile internet connectivity.

Using Tethering or Hotspot with Roamless eSIM

Roamless eSIM supports unlimited use of both tethering and mobile hotspot features, so you can share your mobile internet connection with smartphones, laptops, tablets, or other mobile devices without restrictions. Here are some ways you can use Roamless with tethering and hotspot functions:

• Wi-Fi hotspot: You can enable hotspot mode on your phone to share your Roamless data with multiple devices at once, such as a tablet or a second phone.

• Bluetooth tethering: You can use this method for light browsing or messaging when you want to reduce battery usage.

• Device switching: Roamless supports manual eSIM transfer, so you can move your connection to a different phone and continue using tethering without starting over.

• No configuration needed: Roamless eSIM works out of the box with hotspot and tethering features on both iOS and Android. As long as your device supports eSIM and tethering, you don’t need to change any APN settings or contact support to activate sharing.

Tethering and hotspot use are included with all Roamless plans. There are no speed caps, extra fees, or setup steps required to use these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tethering and hotspot?
- Tethering refers to any method that shares your phone’s mobile data with another device, such as USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. A hotspot is a specific type of tethering that uses your phone to create a local Wi-Fi network.

Does tethering use my mobile data?
- Yes. All forms of tethering, including USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, use your mobile data plan.

Can I use a hotspot without Wi-Fi?
- Yes. Your phone creates a Wi-Fi signal using its mobile data. You don’t need access to another Wi-Fi network to use the hotspot feature.

Do all phones support tethering and hotspot?
- Most modern smartphones support both features, but exact options may vary depending on your device, operating system, or mobile carrier.

Tethering or hotspot: which one uses less battery?

- Tethering typically consumes less battery than hotspot mode [3]. Hotspot keeps your phone’s Wi-Fi active continuously, which increases power usage. 

How many devices can I connect to a mobile hotspot?
- It depends on your phone model. Most smartphones allow you to connect between 5 and 10 devices at once, but speed may decrease with each additional device.

Can I use Roamless eSIM for hotspot sharing abroad?
- Yes. Roamless eSIM supports unlimited hotspot and tethering use in over 200 destinations, with no speed limits or extra fees.

Can I switch devices and still use my hotspot with Roamless eSIM?
- Yes. Roamless allows manual eSIM transfer, so you can move your plan to a new phone and continue using hotspot or tethering features.

Sources

[1] Android Help. ''Share a mobile connection by hotspot or tethering on Android'', Accessed in July 2025. - https://support.google.com/android/answer/9059108

[2] University College Cork. ''Tethering a Mobile Device'', Accessed in July 2025. - https://www.ucc.ie/en/it/remote-working/tethering/

[3] WebTechHub Knowledge Base. ''Is Tethering the Same Thing as Using a Hotspot? Learn the Difference and Save Money on Data'', July 2, 2024. - https://web.dstbihar.gov.in/cms/is-tethering-the-same-thing-as-using-a-hotspot-learn-the-difference-and-save-money-on-data/