<p>Usually the distinction is made between full nodes and lightweight nodes.</p>

<p>A full node independently validates all transactions. It guarantees that not transactions or blockchain will be accepted which spend funds without authorization (theft), create money out of thin air (inflation), or violate various other rules that exist for a smooth continued operation of the system. Full nodes guarantee this for every transaction, not just your own. Full nodes need to download the entire chain (otherwise they can't validate history), but do not necessarily need to store it on disk (see pruning).</p>

<p>A lightweight node, or SPV node, does not validate anything except proof of work. This means they rely on the majority of the network's hashrate to be honest.</p>

<p>In functionality there is little difference. The difference is in the trust model. Lightweight clients trust the network, while full nodes audit the network themselves.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-25T17:13:39.947Z
2018-08-25T17:13:39.947Z
Pieter Wuille
<p>client vs thin client: a normal client holds the COMPLETE (a hundrets of GB data) blockchain on your disk. The other does not. But due to the bitcoin script which is like a "contract" also a thin client can confirm transactions. also sending transactions is possible. disadvantages are not worth mention it if you would like to use it as a normal wallet.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-24T20:21:02.410Z
See https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Thin_Client_Security
JBaczuk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-29T07:19:57.340Z
Yea, the reason for think clients only downloading the block headers is already answered here: https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/10479/what-is-the-merkle-root/55071#55071 - when it comes into mining this necessary.
Erhard Dinhobl
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-24T19:19:13.967Z
2018-08-24T19:19:13.967Z
Erhard Dinhobl
<p>What is the <strong>main difference</strong> between "<code>light/thin client</code>" and "<code>client</code>" in sense of "<strong>functionality</strong> and <strong>capability</strong>" ? </p>

<p>I mean, what can a <code>client</code> does that a <code>light/thin client</code> cannot ? (ex. <em>sending transactions?</em> <em>transaction confirmation?</em> etc)</p>

<blockchain><client><thin-clients>
What is the main difference between "light/thin client" and "client" in sense of "functionality" and "capability"?
Questioner
# What is the main difference between "light/thin client" and "client" in sense of "functionality" and "capability"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-24)

What is the **main difference** between "`light/thin client`" and "`client`" in sense of "**functionality** and **capability**" ?

I mean, what can a `client` does that a `light/thin client` cannot ? (ex. *sending transactions?* *transaction confirmation?* etc)

**Tags:** blockchain, client, thin-clients


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-25. Score: 2

Usually the distinction is made between full nodes and lightweight nodes.

A full node independently validates all transactions. It guarantees that not transactions or blockchain will be accepted which spend funds without authorization (theft), create money out of thin air (inflation), or violate various other rules that exist for a smooth continued operation of the system. Full nodes guarantee this for every transaction, not just your own. Full nodes need to download the entire chain (otherwise they can't validate history), but do not necessarily need to store it on disk (see pruning).

A lightweight node, or SPV node, does not validate anything except proof of work. This means they rely on the majority of the network's hashrate to be honest.

In functionality there is little difference. The difference is in the trust model. Lightweight clients trust the network, while full nodes audit the network themselves.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-08-24. Score: 0

client vs thin client: a normal client holds the COMPLETE (a hundrets of GB data) blockchain on your disk. The other does not. But due to the bitcoin script which is like a "contract" also a thin client can confirm transactions. also sending transactions is possible. disadvantages are not worth mention it if you would like to use it as a normal wallet.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: See https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Thin_Client_Security  
> **username_2**: Yea, the reason for think clients only downloading the block headers is already answered here: https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/10479/what-is-the-merkle-root/55071#55071 - when it comes into mining this necessary.  

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