| Electrolytic cell | Voltaic cell |
|---|---|
| An electrolytic cell converts electrical energy into chemical energy. | Voltaic or Galvanic cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy. |
| The redox reaction is not spontaneous and electrical energy has to be supplied to initiate the reaction. | Here, the redox reaction is spontaneous and is responsible for the production of electrical energy. |
| Both the electrodes are placed in a same container in the solution of molten electrolyte. | The two half–cells are set up in different containers, being connected through the salt bridge or porous partition. |
| Here, the anode is positive and cathode is the negative electrode. The reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction. | Here the anode is negative and cathode is the positive electrode. The reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction. |
| The external battery supplies the electrons. They enter through the cathode and come out through the anode. | The electrons are supplied by the species getting oxidized. They move from anode to the cathode in the external circuit. |