| Soaps | Detergents |
| Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids. | Detergents are ammonium or solphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids. |
| Soaps have lesser cleansing action or quality as compared to detergents. | Detergents have better cleansing action as compared to soaps. |
| Soaps are not suitable for washing with hard water as it forms insoluble scum. | Detergents do not form insoluble scum with hard water. |
| Soaps are prepared from fats or vegetable oils. | Detergents are not prepared from fats or vegetable oils. |
| Soaps are more biodegradable. | Detergents are less biodegradable. |
