TCP vs UDP – Differences Explained with Table
Introduction
TCP and UDP are transport layer protocols used in computer networks. They are responsible for transmitting data between devices. This article explains the difference between TCP and UDP in a simple and exam-oriented way.
What is TCP?
TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol. It is a connection-oriented protocol that ensures reliable data transmission.
Features of TCP
- Connection-oriented
- Reliable data transfer
- Error checking and correction
- Data is sent in sequence
- Slower compared to UDP
Examples of TCP applications
- Web browsing (HTTP/HTTPS)
- Email (SMTP)
- File transfer (FTP)
What is UDP?
UDP stands for User Datagram Protocol. It is a connectionless protocol that does not guarantee reliable data delivery.
Features of UDP
- Connectionless
- Faster data transmission
- No error correction
- Data may be lost or out of order
- Low overhead
Examples of UDP applications
- Video streaming
- Online gaming
- Voice calls (VoIP)
Difference between TCP and UDP
TCP:
- Connection-oriented
- Reliable
- Slower
- Error checking present
UDP:
- Connectionless
- Not reliable
- Faster
- No error checking
Advantages of TCP
- Guaranteed data delivery
- Suitable for important data
Advantages of UDP
- Faster communication
- Suitable for real-time applications
Conclusion
TCP and UDP are important transport layer protocols. TCP is used when reliability is required, while UDP is used when speed is more important than accuracy.

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