Difference between Cache and Cookies

In this article, we are going to discuss two important technical terms that are Cache and cookies. Both Cache and Cookies store the data from the website on a visitor's local device. But both of them stores different type of information.

So, without any more delay, let's start the topic.

Cache

It is a high-speed memory, which is faster than the main memory (RAM) and smaller in size. In comparison with primary memory, cache memory is more quickly accessed by the CPU. So, it is used to synchronize with a high-speed CPU and to improve its performance. Cache stores the website's content which is frequently used.

Cache memory holds the data and programs which are frequently used by the CPU. So, it makes sure that the data is instantly available for CPU, whenever the CPU needs this data. In other words, the CPU does not require accessing the primary memory (RAM), if it finds the required data or instructions in the cache memory.

So, the cache memory speeds up the system's performance by acting as the buffer between CPU and RAM. If data is found in the cache memory, then it is known as a cache hit. And, if data is not found inside the cache, it is called a cache miss.

The data is not present in RAM or in the cache when the computer or an application is started first time. In this case, the CPU gets the data directly from the hard disk drive. Thereafter, when you start your computer or open an application, the CPU can get that data from cache memory or RAM.

Cookies

On browsing the internet, multiple information gets stored in the form of cookies. Cookies are useful as they keep the records like login credentials and collect our information so that a website that we have visited may remember our preferences. It makes online transactions and surfing easier.

Cookies are not intended to cause any damage to the user's computer. But they can be utilized to send targeted advertisements to users because personal information such as login credentials, location, address, and others gets stored in it. Cookies record these data to make the transactions convenient and provide auto-filling options to browsers.

So, in order to protect the privacy on internet, we should delete these cookies. And on deleting the cookies, we will lose our saved passwords and data. Cookies consume less space. There are two types of cookies that are - Transient cookies and Persistent cookies. Cookies expire automatically. Transient cookies are temporary and erase once the browser is closed. On the other hand, Persistent cookies are stored in users' hard drives and remain there until they are deleted manually or reach their expiration date.

Cache v/s Cookie

Now, let's see the comparison chart between both Cache and Cookie. Here, we are tabulating the difference between both terms based on some characteristics.

On the basis of	Cache	Cookie
Description	Cache is referred to as the temporary storage that stores the resources of a web page on the user's computer to load the web pages quickly.	Cookie is a small file sent from a website. It is used to employ user preferences.
Storage space	It consumes a large amount of space.	It consumes less space.
Expiration	Cache expires manually.	Cookies expire automatically.
Storage location	The content of website is stored in browser.	The content of the cookie is stored in both server and browser.
Types	The types of cache are browser cache and proxy cache.	The types of cookies are Transient cookies and Persistent cookies.
Types of content store	The content like JavaScript, HTML pages, CSS, images, etc. are stored in Cache.	While the cookies stores temporary tracking data and browsing sessions.