There&#x27;s effectively no difference, but the general understanding (with some exceptions, e.g., Netflix) is that hiring someone full-time involves a commitment on behalf of both sides to do what&#x27;s possible to make it work. If there are issues, the employer and employee will try to fix them. With a probationary period that explicitly involves a determination on a longer-term relationship, that&#x27;s not a given. At least, that&#x27;s my understanding, and others may correct me.