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Difference between Internet and Intranet with Comparison Chart

Updated Jan 06, 2020

Internet and Intranet – a lot of confusion exists when it comes to these terms. Because the former is a lot more common, the latter is often confused with it. However, there are significant differences between the two.

Read on to know more -

Intranet vs Internet

Internet Intranet
It is an open network of computers that anyone can access. It is a private network of computers that offer limited access.
Accessing the internet does not necessarily require a password. Passwords protect intranet access. Only users who have the password can access the intranet.
The ownership of the internet does not belong to a single or a group of organisations. The ownership of intranet lies with a single or a group of organisations.
The internet is not as safe as the intranet. The intranet is much safer than the internet.
All kinds of information are available on the internet for every kind of user who accesses it. The kind of information available on the intranet is limited and only relevant to the needs of the organisation/ organisations that own the network.
The internet is composed of several LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) and MAN (Metropolitan Area Network). The intranet is composed of either a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) or a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network).

What is the Internet?

  • The Internet consists of a network of computers that anyone can access.
  • Many intranets together make up the internet.
  • There is no limit to the number of users who can use the internet at any given time
  • The information available on the internet is gathered from different sources. Anyone can easily access any data on the internet.

What is Intranet?

  • An intranet is a smaller network of computers that allows access to a particular group of users.
  • One can access the intranet from the internet. However, there are restrictions on the number of users.
  • Only a specific few users can access the intranet.
  • There are limitations on the volume of traffic at any given time.
  • Intranet contains a specific kind of information only.

Similarities between Internet and Intranet

  • You may access both the internet and intranet from any browser.
  • Intranet uses internet protocols to transfer data.
  • The primary function of both internet and intranet is sharing information.

Therefore, the intranet is a part of the internet. While you can freely access the internet for any purposes, you need special authorisation to access the intranet. An intranet is thus a private and more secure form of internet.


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