Client vs. Agent — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Client refers to an individual or entity receiving services, often in legal, business, or technology settings, whereas an agent acts on behalf of another, executing tasks within specified limits.
Difference Between Client and Agent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A client is typically a person or organization that engages the professional services of another, relying on expertise in fields like law, real estate, or consulting. On the other hand, an agent is authorized to act for or represent another person or organization, often within a defined scope of authority in business dealings or negotiations.
Clients seek advice, products, or services from providers, looking for solutions tailored to their specific needs or problems. Whereas agents often serve as intermediaries, negotiating deals, or managing business affairs on behalf of their principals.
In legal contexts, a client is someone who retains a lawyer for legal representation or consultation. On the other hand, an agent might be involved in legal transactions but acts within the boundaries of the authority granted by the principal, like executing contracts or making decisions.
In real estate, a client might be a buyer or seller, utilizing the services of a real estate firm to find or sell property. Meanwhile, real estate agents handle negotiations and transactions on behalf of these clients, guided by their clients’ preferences and instructions.
In the technology sector, a client can refer to a software application that accesses services on a network, such as a web browser accessing internet servers. Conversely, an agent in this context might refer to a piece of software that performs tasks on behalf of the user or another program, like an automated data retrieval bot.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Individual or entity using services
Person or entity authorized to act on another's behalf
Role
Receives services, advice, or products
Represents or acts for others
Authority
Decides to engage services
Has delegated authority to act
Examples in Context
Legal client, software client
Real estate agent, software agent
Primary Interaction
Seeks service provision
Manages and negotiates on behalf of client
Compare with Definitions
Client
An organization that hires a consultant to improve business efficiency.
The firm welcomed its new client with a kickoff meeting.
Agent
A person responsible for acting on behalf of an artist.
The agent secured several new gigs for the musician.
Client
A person who seeks the legal services of an attorney.
The client met with her lawyer to discuss the case.
Agent
A software entity that performs tasks autonomously.
The chatbot agent handles initial customer inquiries.
Client
A computer or software program that accesses a server.
The client software updates automatically when connected to the internet.
Agent
A representative in a real estate transaction.
The agent negotiated a better price for the house.
Client
A customer in a commercial establishment.
The store offers a discount to returning clients.
Agent
An individual acting under power of attorney.
The agent signed documents on behalf of the elderly client.
Client
A patient in a healthcare setting.
The client received counseling and treatment for anxiety.
Agent
A secret operative in espionage.
The agent gathered intelligence behind enemy lines.
Client
A person or organization using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company
Insurance tailor-made to a client's specific requirements
Agent
A person who acts on behalf of another person or group
In the event of illness, a durable power of attorney enabled her nephew to act as her agent
Client
(in a network) a desktop computer or workstation that is capable of obtaining information and applications from a server
Workstation clients are going to be easy to install
Agent
A person or thing that takes an active role or produces a specified effect
Universities are usually liberal communities that often view themselves as agents of social change
Client
(in ancient Rome) a plebeian under the protection of a patrician.
Agent
One that acts or has the power or authority to act.
Client
The party for which professional services are rendered, as by an attorney.
Agent
One empowered to act for or represent another
An author's agent.
An insurance agent.
Client
A customer or patron
Clients of the hotel.
Agent
A means by which something is done or caused; an instrument.
Client
A person using the services of a social services agency.
Agent
A force or substance that causes a change
A chemical agent.
An infectious agent.
Client
One that depends on the protection of another.
Agent
A representative or official of a government or administrative department of a government
An FBI agent.
Client
A client state.
Agent
A spy.
Client
(Computers) A computer or program that can download files for manipulation, run applications, or request application-based services from a file server.
Agent
(Linguistics) The argument that expresses the means or cause of an action or event described by a phrase or clause. The noun John is the agent in the clause John threw the ball.
Client
A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services.
Agent
To act as an agent or representative for
Who will agent your next book?.
Client
(computing) The role of a computer application or system that requests and/or consumes the services provided by another having the role of server.
Agent
To act as an agent or representative.
Client
A person who receives help or services from a professional such as a lawyer or accountant.
Agent
One who exerts power, or has the power to act
Client
(legal) A person who employs or retains an attorney to represent him or her in any legal matter, or one who merely divulges confidential matters to an attorney while pursuing professional assistance without subsequently retaining the attorney.
Agent
One who acts for, or in the place of, another (the principal), by that person's authority; someone entrusted to do the business of another
Client
A citizen who put himself under the protection of a man of distinction and influence, who was called his patron.
Agent
A person who looks for work for another person
Client
A dependent; one under the protection of another.
I do think they are your friends and clients,And fearful to disturb you.
Agent
Someone who works for an intelligence agency
Client
One who consults a legal adviser, or submits his cause to his management.
Agent
An active power or cause or substance; something (e.g. biological, chemical, thermal, etc.) that has the power to produce an effect
Client
A person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
Agent
(computing) In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or server. Especially in the phrase “intelligent agent” it implies some kind of autonomous process which can communicate with other agents to perform some collective task on behalf of one or more humans.
Client
Someone who pays for goods or services
Agent
(grammar) The participant of a situation that carries out the action in this situation, e.g. "the boy" in the sentences "The boy kicked the ball" and "The ball was kicked by the boy".
Client
(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
Agent
(gambling) A cheat who is assisted by dishonest casino staff.
Agent
Acting; - opposed to patient, or sustaining, action.
Agent
One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill.
Agent
One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
Agent
An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect, such as a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
Agent
A chemical substance having biological effects; a drug.
Agent
An active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect;
Their research uncovered new disease agents
Agent
A substance that exerts some force or effect
Agent
A representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations
Agent
A businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
Agent
Any agent or representative of a federal agency or bureau
Agent
The semantic role of the animate entity that instigates or causes the hapening denoted by the verb in the clause
Common Curiosities
Can a client also be an agent?
Yes, in different contexts a person can be both a client and an agent, depending on their role in specific transactions.
Why is the relationship between a client and an agent important?
This relationship is crucial because the agent must understand and effectively execute the client's needs and expectations.
What legal responsibilities does an agent have?
An agent has the legal responsibility to act in the best interests of the principal, including acting within the scope of granted authority.
What is the difference between a client and a customer?
A client generally has a longer-term, more professional relationship with services, whereas a customer might engage in one-time or short-term transactions.
How do agents earn their income?
Agents typically earn through commissions or fees for the services they provide on behalf of their clients.
How does an agent operate differently from a client?
An agent acts on behalf of a client or principal, with the authority to make decisions and manage transactions.
Can software agents operate independently of human input?
Yes, many software agents operate autonomously, performing tasks based on pre-programmed criteria.
What is the main role of a client in business?
The main role of a client is to engage services or products provided by professionals or companies.
What kinds of legal authority might an agent hold?
An agent's legal authority can range from financial decision-making under a power of attorney to making healthcare decisions for another.
What is a client-server model in computing?
It's a network architecture where a server provides resources or services to one or more clients.
How does one become a real estate agent?
Becoming a real estate agent usually requires completing a licensing course and passing a state exam.
In what ways can the role of a client vary across different sectors?
The role of a client can vary from seeking advice and consultation in legal or business matters to requiring specific service fulfillment in areas like IT or healthcare.
What skills are essential for an effective agent?
Negotiation, communication, and a deep understanding of the client's needs are essential for an effective agent.
What are some common misunderstandings about the client-agent relationship?
A common misunderstanding is that the agent has unlimited power, whereas their authority is actually limited by the principal's stipulations.
What is the significance of a client in a therapeutic context?
In therapy, the client's role is to actively participate and engage in the process to achieve personal growth and resolution of issues.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
