The most obvious advantage of a WLAN is that devices can connect wirelessly, eliminating the need for cables. This allows homes and businesses to create local networks without wiring the building with Ethernet. It also provides a way for small devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to connect to the network. WLANs are not limited by the number of physical ports on the router and therefore can support dozens or even hundreds of devices. The range of a WLAN can easily be extended by adding one or more repeaters. Finally, a WLAN can be easily upgraded by replacing routers with new versions — a much easier and cheaper solution than upgrading old Ethernet cables.

Wireless networks are naturally less secure than wired networks. Any wireless device can attempt to connect to a WLAN, so it is important to limit access to the network if security is a concern. This is typically done using wireless authentication such as WEP or WPA, which encrypts the communication. Additionally, wireless networks are more susceptible to interference from other signals or physical barriers, such as concrete walls.