When it is run in "Access Point" mode, Connectify Hotspot is a real Wi-Fi Access Point running on your computer. Any device that can connect to a regular access point can connect to Connectify Hotspot, with no special setup or software required. When Connectify Hotspot runs in "Ad Hoc" mode it sets everything up for you (wireless card, Internet Connection Sharing, firewall, etc.) in one simple click. Connectify Hotspot also provides advanced features like showing all of the various devices connected to your network and letting you explore and launch services on these devices.  These features set the virtual router, Connectify Hotspot, apart from just "Wi-Fi's ad-hoc mode".