The differences between LAN and WAN is as follows:
| LAN (Local Area Network) | |
| 1. | LAN is used to connect computers at one place, in one room or a building. |
| 2. | LAN covers small and limited area. |
| 3. | Data transfer speed is very fast in LAN because of small distance. |
| 4. | Local Area network speed is normally form 1 to l00 Mbps. |
| 5. | LAN is less costly. |
| 6. | LAN is usually connected through wires. |
| 7. | Normally, the connection in a LAN is permanent using wires. |
| 8. | LAN is used for sharing data, information, files and hardware like printers, hard disk, modem etc. |
| 9. | LAN has less possibility of data transmission error. |
| 10. | LAN is used to transfer data over small distances. |
| 11 | LAN is easy to install and configure. |
| 12 | LAN is easy to troubleshoot. |
| WAN (Wide Area Network) | |
| 1 | WAN is used to connect computers anywhere in the world. |
| 2 | WAN can cover larger area. It can cover cities, countries and even continents. |
| 3 | Data transfer speed is slower in WAN. |
| 4 | Transmission speeds are normally 56 kbps to 45 Mbps. |
| 5 | The hardware needed for a WAN is more expensive. |
| 6 | WAN is usually connected through telephone lines, fiber optic cable or through wireless media. |
| 7 | The connection in WAN may not be permanent. |
| 8 | WAN is used to share only data and information like Email and file transfer |
| 9 | WAN has more possibility of data transmission error because of long distance. |
| 10 | WAN is used to transfer data over long distances. |
| 11 | WAN is difficult to install and configure due to connecting computers at multiple and distant sites. |
| 12 | WANs are difficult to troubleshoot. |