| Functional Units | ALU, registers, CU. | ALU, register, CU, IO ports, RAM, ROM, ADC, DAC, timer and counters. |
| Data transfer instructions | It has large number of data transfer instructions. | Comparitively less number of such instructions. |
| Cost | High | Comparatively low. |
| Size of PCB | Large | Small in comparison to microprocessor. |
| Weight | Bulky | Less bulky |
| Processing speed | 1 GHz | 8 to 50 MHz. |
| Uses | Finds its use in general purpose computing systems. | Used in systems that are manufactured for specific application. |
| Efficiency | Less efficient | More efficient |
| Power consumption | High | Low in comparison to microcontroller |
| Reliability | Less reliable | More reliable |
| Example | 8085, 8086 etc | 8051, 8951 etc. |