Hero WiFi Hotspot for free or Evo WiFi Hotspot for $29.99?

So, I was going to buy an HTC Hero because I heard about the app that can turn it into a WiFi Hotspot and then it just uses your carrier's data plan. Then I found out the Evo was coming and had WiFi Broadcasting built in, 4G and up to 8 devices. So I waited for the final announcement and now I find out that to use that capability on the Evo it's going to cost me $29.99 a month.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong about the "free" part of taking the Hero and turning it into a WiFi hotspot. But if the only reason I'm interested in either phone is because of the WiFi hotspot capabilities just so I can get internet access to my Laptop and/or non-3G iPad when I'm somewhere without free internet, then what is your take on which to get? Does the method for getting WiFi broadcasting on the Hero allow you to get it for free? Does anyone see an issue with this?

And as for the Evo, is the $29.99 a contract plan or can you activate it one month and cancel it another?

Thanks for all the help and opinions on this one.

-Doug