| Osmotic pressure | Osmotic potential |
| Osmotic pressure is the pressure exerted by a solution when it is in equilibrium with a second solution. | Osmotic potential is the amount of work needed to move a solute from one solution to another. |
| Osmotic pressure is determined by the concentration of the solute. | Osmotic potential is determined by the concentration of the solvent. |
| Osmotic pressure is the pressure that must be applied to a solution to prevent osmosis. | Osmotic potential is the potential energy of a solution. |
| Osmotic pressure is measured in units of pressure. | Osmotic potential is measured in units of energy. |
| Osmotic pressure is affected by temperature. | Osmotic potential is not affected by temperature. |