Web vs. Net — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Web (World Wide Web) is a vast collection of interconnected documents and resources, accessible via browsers, whereas the Net (Internet) is a global network of computers that supports the Web and other data exchanges.
Difference Between Web and Net
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, utilizes HTTP to access websites and hyperlinked content online, forming a subset of the Internet. Whereas the Internet, or Net, is a massive network infrastructure that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks globally, enabling various forms of data exchange like email and file sharing.
The Web is accessed through browsers such as Chrome or Firefox, which retrieve, interpret, and display web pages to users. On the other hand, the Net encompasses a broader range of data transmission technologies including not only the HTTP used by the Web but also FTP, SMTP, and more.
Web technologies include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are used to create and design web pages. Whereas the Internet operates on a more fundamental level with protocols such as TCP/IP which establish the rules for data transfer across the network.
The Web is often visual and interactive, heavily reliant on multimedia content and hyperlinks to provide information and user interaction. In contrast, the Internet includes a wide array of data and services that are not limited to web browsers, such as online gaming, VoIP, and email services.
The Web can be seen as one of the many services provided by the Internet. The Internet's scope is broader and includes not only the Web but also many other services like FTP and email, which operate independently of web browsers.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Accessing interconnected documents and media
Networking computers globally for various data exchanges
Access Methods
Via web browsers (Chrome, Firefox)
Via various protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP)
Key Technologies
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
TCP/IP, Ethernet
Usage
Websites, web applications
Email, file sharing, online gaming, VoIP
User Interaction
Interactive, multimedia-focused
Broader, includes non-visual data exchanges
Compare with Definitions
Web
A collection of electronic documents linked together like a spider web, accessible via the Internet.
She browses the Web daily to read news from around the world.
Net
The backbone for online services such as email, file transfers, and others.
His job involves maintaining the company’s Net security.
Web
The multimedia part of the internet which allows documents to be connected to other documents by hypertext links.
Educational institutions rely heavily on the Web for distributing course material.
Net
The infrastructure that supports worldwide network communication.
Innovations in Net technology have dramatically increased data transmission speeds.
Web
A space for storing and displaying information online, usually in HTML format.
They published their research on their Web page.
Net
The global communication network allowing computers worldwide to connect and exchange information.
The Internet is essential for global connectivity and information exchange.
Web
A system of internet servers that support specially formatted documents, typically in HTML.
The company's website is accessible globally thanks to the Web.
Net
A system for linking smaller computer networks together globally.
Businesses rely on the Net for daily operations and communication.
Web
The complete set of information that one can access through the internet using a web browser.
The Web has revolutionized access to information.
Net
A global network connecting millions of private, public, academic, and government networks.
The Net was slow today, affecting all communications.
Web
A woven fabric, especially one on a loom or just removed from it.
Net
A piece of open-meshed material made of twine, cord, or something similar, used typically for catching fish or other animals
Fishermen mending their nets
Web
The structural part of cloth.
Net
A structure consisting of a net supported on a frame, forming the goal in games such as soccer and hockey
He turned Wilson's cross into the net
Wales did find the net in the 32nd minute
Web
A latticed or woven structure
A web of palm branches formed the roof of the hut.
Net
A fine fabric with a very open weave
Net curtains
Web
A structure of delicate, threadlike filaments characteristically spun by spiders or certain insect larvae.
Net
A means of catching someone; a trap
The search was delayed, allowing the murderers to escape the net
Web
Something intricately contrived, especially something that ensnares or entangles
Caught in a web of lies.
Net
A communications or broadcasting network, especially of maritime radio
The radio net was brought to life with a mayday
Web
A complex, interconnected structure or arrangement
A web of telephone wires.
Net
Catch (a fish or other animal) with a net
Damage caused when netting the fish
Rabbits can be netted all the year round
Web
Often Web The World Wide Web.
Net
(in sport) hit (a ball) into the net; score (a goal)
Butler netted 14 goals
Web
A radio or television network.
Net
Cover with a net
We fenced off a rabbit-proof area for vegetables and netted the top
Web
A membrane or fold of skin connecting the toes, as of certain amphibians, birds, and mammals.
Net
Acquire (a sum of money) as clear profit
He netted £2.45 million on the deal
Web
The barbs on each side of the shaft of a bird's feather; a vane.
Net
(of an amount, value, or price) remaining after the deduction of tax or other contributions
Net earnings per share rose
The camera will cost you, net of VAT, about £300
Web
(Baseball) A piece of leather or leather mesh that fills the space between the thumb and forefinger of a baseball glove. Also called trap1, webbing.
Net
Remaining after all factors have been taken into account; overall
The net result is the same
Web
(Architecture) A space or compartment between the ribs or groins of a vault. Also called cell.
Net
An openwork fabric made of threads or cords that are woven or knotted together at regular intervals.
Web
A metal sheet or plate connecting the heavier sections, ribs, or flanges of a structural element.
Net
A device for capturing birds, fish, or insects.
Web
A thin metal plate or strip, as the bit of a key or the blade of a saw.
Net
A barrier against flying insects.
Web
A large continuous roll of paper, such as newsprint, either in the process of manufacture or as it is fed into a web press.
Net
A mesh for holding the hair in place.
Web
To provide with a web.
Net
Something that entraps; a snare.
Web
To cover or envelop with a web.
Net
A fine mesh fabric used as curtain or dress material or as the foundation for various laces.
Web
To ensnare in a web.
Net
A barrier of meshwork cord or rope strung between two posts to divide a court in half, as in tennis and badminton.
Web
The silken structure which a spider builds using silk secreted from the spinnerets at the caudal tip of its abdomen; a spiderweb.
The sunlight glistened in the dew on the web.
Net
A ball that is hit into this meshwork barrier.
Web
(by extension) Any interconnected set of persons, places, or things, which, when diagrammed, resembles a spider's web.
Net
The goal in soccer, hockey, and lacrosse.
Web
(baseball) The part of a baseball mitt between the forefinger and thumb, the webbing.
He caught the ball in the web.
Net
The cord meshwork attached to the hoop of a basket in basketball.
Web
A latticed or woven structure.
The gazebo’s roof was a web made of thin strips of wood.
Net
A meshed network of lines, figures, or fibers.
Web
(usually with "spin", "weave", or similar verbs) A tall tale with more complexity than a myth or legend.
Careful—she knows how to spin a good web, but don't lean too hard on what she says.
Net
Or Net The internet.
Web
A plot or scheme.
Net
See network.
Web
The interconnection between flanges in structural members, increasing the effective lever arm and so the load capacity of the member.
Net
A radio, television, or telephone network.
Web
(rail transport) The thinner vertical section of a railway rail between the top (head) and bottom (foot) of the rail.
Net
(Business) A net amount, as of profit or weight.
Web
A fold of tissue connecting the toes of certain birds, or of other animals.
Net
The main point; the essence
The net of our discussion.
Web
The series of barbs implanted on each side of the shaft of a feather, whether stiff and united together by barbules, as in ordinary feathers, or soft and separate, as in downy feathers.
Net
To catch or ensnare in a net
Net fish.
Web
(manufacturing) A continuous strip of material carried by rollers during processing.
Net
To acquire or obtain
An investment that netted a hefty profit.
A personal ad that netted a dozen responses.
Web
(lithography) A long sheet of paper which is fed from a roll into a printing press, as opposed to individual sheets of paper.
Net
To cover, protect, or surround with a net or network
"The heart [is] netted with a maze of curving blood vessels that send blood through it in swirling patterns" (Jennifer Ackerman).
Web
(dated) A band of webbing used to regulate the extension of the hood of a carriage.
Net
To hit (the ball) into the net, as in volleyball.
Web
A thin metal sheet, plate, or strip, as of lead.
Net
To shoot (the ball or puck) into the goal, as in soccer or hockey.
Web
The blade of a sword.
Net
To score (a goal).
Web
The blade of a saw.
Net
To bring in or yield as profit.
Web
The thin, sharp part of a colter.
Net
To clear as profit.
Web
The bit of a key.
Net
Remaining after all deductions have been made, as for expenses
Net profit.
Web
A major broadcasting network.
Net
Remaining after tare is deducted
Net weight.
Web
(architecture) A section of a groin vault, separated by ribs. en
Net
Ultimate; final
The net result.
Web
A cataract of the eye.
Net
A mesh of string, cord or rope.
A hairnet; a mosquito net; a tennis net
Web
Senseid|en|the Web}} {{alternative case form of Web: the World Wide Web.
I found it on the web.
Let me search the web for that.
Net
A device made from such mesh, used for catching fish, butterflies, etc.
Web
(intransitive) To construct or form a web.
Net
A device made from such mesh, generally used for trapping something.
Web
(transitive) To cover with a web or network.
Net
Anything that has the appearance of such a device.
Petri net
Web
(transitive) To ensnare or entangle.
Net
(by extension) A trap.
Caught in the prosecuting attorney's net
Web
(transitive) To provide with a web.
Net
(geometry) Of a polyhedron, any set of polygons joined edge to edge that, when folded along the edges between adjoining polygons so that the outer edges touch, form the polyhedron.
Web
To weave.
Net
A system that interconnects a number of users, locations etc. allowing transport or communication between them.
Web
A weaver.
Net
(electronics) A conductor that interconnects two or more component terminals.
Web
That which is woven; a texture; textile fabric; esp., something woven in a loom.
Penelope, for her Ulysses' sake,Devised a web her wooers to deceive.
Not web might be woven, not a shuttle thrown, or penalty of exile.
Net
(sports) A framework backed by a mesh, serving as the goal in hockey, soccer, lacrosse, etc.
The striker headed the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Web
A whole piece of linen cloth as woven.
Net
A mesh stretched to divide the court in tennis, badminton, volleyball, etc.
Web
The texture of very fine thread spun by a spider for catching insects at its prey; a cobweb.
Net
The area of the court close to the net (mesh stretched to divide the court).
Web
Fig.: Tissue; texture; complicated fabrication.
The somber spirit of our forefathers, who wove their web of life with hardly a . . . thread of rose-color or gold.
Such has been the perplexing ingenuity of commentators that it is difficult to extricate the truth from the web of conjectures.
Net
The amount remaining after expenses are deducted; profit.
Web
A band of webbing used to regulate the extension of the hood.
Net
(transitive) To catch by means of a net.
Web
A thin metal sheet, plate, or strip, as of lead.
And Christians slain roll up in webs of lead.
Net
To catch in a trap, or by stratagem.
Web
The blade of a sword.
The sword, whereof the web was steel,Pommel rich stone, hilt gold.
Net
To enclose or cover with a net.
To net a tree
Web
A plate or thin portion, continuous or perforated, connecting stiffening ribs or flanges, or other parts of an object.
Net
To score (a goal).
Evans netted the winner in the 80th minute.
Web
The blade of a saw.
Net
(tennis) To hit the ball into the net.
Web
The thin vertical plate or portion connecting the upper and lower flanges of an lower flanges of an iron girder, rolled beam, or railroad rail.
Net
To form a netting or network; to knit.
Web
Pterygium; - called also webeye.
Net
(transitive) To receive as profit.
The company nets $30 on every sale.
Web
The thin, sharp part of a colter.
Net
(transitive) To yield as profit for.
The scam netted the criminals $30,000.
Web
A disk or solid construction serving, instead of spokes, for connecting the rim and hub, in some kinds of car wheels, sheaves, etc.
Net
To fully hedge a position.
Every party is netting their position with a counter-party
Web
The membrane which unites the fingers or toes, either at their bases, as in man, or for a greater part of their length, as in many water birds and amphibians.
Net
(obsolete) Good, desirable; clean, decent, clear.
Web
The bit of a key.
Net
Remaining after expenses or deductions.
Net profit; net weight
Web
The arm of a crank between the shaft and the wrist.
Net
Final; end.
Net result; net conclusion
Web
The series of barbs implanted on each side of the shaft of a feather, whether stiff and united together by barbules, as in ordinary feathers, or soft and separate, as in downy feathers. See Feather.
Net
After expenses or deductions.
You'll have $5000 net.
Web
The part of a blackmith's anvil between the face and the foot.
Net
A fabric of twine, thread, or the like, wrought or woven into meshes, and used for catching fish, birds, butterflies, etc.
Web
The world-wide web; - usually referred to as the web.
Net
Anything designed or fitted to entrap or catch; a snare; any device for catching and holding.
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.
In the church's net there are fishes good or bad.
Web
To unite or surround with a web, or as if with a web; to envelop; to entangle.
Net
Anything wrought or woven in meshes; as, a net for the hair; a mosquito net; a tennis net.
Web
An intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving;
The trees cast a delicate web of shadows over the lawn
Net
A figure made up of a large number of straight lines or curves, which are connected at certain points and related to each other by some specified law.
Web
An intricate trap that entangles or ensnares its victim
Net
A network.
Web
The flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft
Net
The internet; - usually the net; as, I found it on the net.
Web
An interconnected system of things or people;
He owned a network of shops
Retirement meant dropping out of a whole network of people who had been part of my life
Tangled in a web of cloth
Net
To make into a net; to make in the style of network; as, to net silk.
Web
Computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol
Net
To take in a net; to capture by stratagem or wile.
And now I am here, netted and in the toils.
Web
A fabric (especially a fabric in the process of being woven)
Net
To inclose or cover with a net; as, to net a tree.
Web
Membrane connecting the toes of some aquatic birds and mammals
Net
To form network or netting; to knit.
Web
Construct or form a web, as if by weaving
Net
To produce or gain as clear profit; as, he netted a thousand dollars by the operation.
Net
Not including superfluous, incidental, or foreign matter, as boxes, coverings, wraps, etc.; free from charges, deductions, etc; as, net profit; net income; net weight, etc.
Net
A computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
Net
A trap made of netting to catch fish or birds or insects
Net
The excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
Net
A goal lined with netting (as in soccer or hockey)
Net
Game equipment consisting of a strip of netting dividing the playing area in tennis or badminton
Net
An open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals
Net
Make as a net profit;
The company cleared $1 million
Net
Yield as a net profit;
This sale netted me $1 million
Net
Construct or form a web, as if by weaving
Net
Catch with a net;
Net a fish
Net
Remaining after all deductions;
Net profit
Net
Conclusive in a process or progression;
The final answer
A last resort
The net result
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between the Web and the Net?
The Web is a service that operates on the Internet, which is the underlying network of networks.
Can the Web function without the Net?
No, the Web requires the Internet to function as it is part of the broader Internet infrastructure.
Is email part of the Web?
Email operates over the Internet but does not necessarily use Web technologies; it primarily uses protocols like SMTP.
How does one access the Web?
The Web is accessed using web browsers like Chrome or Firefox, which interpret HTML and other web technologies.
What technologies underpin the Internet besides TCP/IP?
Other technologies that underpin the Internet include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and various routing protocols.
Can I use the Internet without accessing the Web?
Yes, you can use other services like FTP or VoIP that operate over the Internet but are not part of the Web.
How do web browsers connect to the Web?
Web browsers connect to the Web by interpreting URLs and fetching data from servers using HTTP.
Are all Internet services part of the Web?
Not all Internet services are part of the Web; for example, FTP for file transfers and VoIP for voice communication are Internet services that do not use Web technologies.
What are some examples of Web technologies?
Examples of Web technologies include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are used to create and manage websites.
What is an example of an Internet service that is not part of the Web?
Email and file sharing services like FTP are examples of Internet services that are not part of the Web.
What is a common misunderstanding about the Web and Internet?
A common misunderstanding is that the Web and Internet are the same; in reality, the Web is just one of many services that the Internet supports.
What role do HTML and TCP/IP play in the Web and Net respectively?
HTML is used to design and structure web pages on the Web, while TCP/IP is a core protocol that governs data transfer across the entire Internet.
Can the Internet exist without the Web?
Yes, the Internet can and does support many other functions and services besides the Web.
What is necessary for a device to connect to the Internet?
A device must have an Internet connection through an ISP and must support Internet protocols like TCP/IP.
How has the Web impacted global communication?
The Web has significantly enhanced global communication by making multimedia content and interactive services universally accessible.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
