| Diffusion | Osmosis |
|---|---|
| Occurs in all mediums – Solid, Liquid and Gas. | It is limited only to the liquid medium. |
| Do not require a semipermeable membrane. | Requires a semipermeable membrane. |
| Both the molecules of solute and solvent can diffuse. | Only the solvent molecules can diffuse. |
| The flow of particles occurs in all the directions. | The flow of particles occurs only in one direction. |
| This process can neither be stopped nor reversed. | The entire process can either be stopped or reversed by applying additional pressure on the solution side. |
| Occurs between the similar and dissimilar types of solutions. | Occurs only between similar types of solutions. |
| It does not depend on solute potential, pressure potential, or water potential. | Depends on solute potential. |
| It helps in the uptake of minerals and nutrients. | Not associated with uptake of minerals and nutrients. |
| Transpiration is controlled by the processes, such as osmotic potential and water potential. | Evaporation is not controlled by any such process. |
| It depends on the presence of other particles. | Depends on the number of solute particles dissolved in the solvent. |