Product vs. Service — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 7, 2023
A product is a tangible item sold to customers, whereas a service is an intangible activity or benefit provided to clients.
Difference Between Product and Service
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Products and services are foundational concepts in the business world, with each serving distinct roles in transactions.
A product refers to a tangible good that a business produces or procures to sell to its customers. When you think of a product, consider items like electronics, clothing, or food. These are things you can touch, see, and often use. On the contrary, a service revolves around the idea of offering intangible value. This means services aren't something you can physically touch, but you benefit from them. Think of haircuts, consultancy, or home cleaning.
While both products and services fulfill consumer needs, the manner in which they do so differs. Products are often one-time purchases that consumers own, whereas services are consumable and often require continuous procurement.
The value of a product is inherent in the item itself, while the value of a service is generated through the process or expertise provided.
Comparison Chart
Tangibility
Tangible
Intangible
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Duration
Often a one-time purchase
Consumable and may require continuous procurement
Value Derived From
Inherent in the item itself
Process or expertise provided
Ownership
Consumer owns the product
No ownership, just the benefit of the service
Examples
Electronics, food, clothing
Consultancy, haircuts, repairs
Compare with Definitions
Product
A tangible item available for purchase.
The store offers a wide variety of products for sale.
Service
An intangible commodity provided to customers.
The consultancy service helped the company improve its strategy.
Product
An item that is made or refined and marketed
Farm products.
Soaps, detergents, and similar products.
Travel products such as vacation trips.
Service
The action of helping or doing work for someone
Millions are involved in voluntary service
Product
Such items considered as a group
Sold a lot of product in May.
Service
A system supplying a public need such as transport, communications, or utilities such as electricity and water
A regular bus service
Product
A preparation, such as a gel, used for styling hair
Began to use product soon after he became famous.
Service
A ceremony of religious worship according to a prescribed form
A funeral service
Product
A substance resulting from a chemical or nuclear reaction.
Service
A periodic routine inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or other machine
He took his car in for a service
Product
A direct result; a consequence
"Is history the product of impersonal social and economic forces?" (Anthony Lewis).
Service
A set of matching crockery used for serving a particular meal
A dinner service
Product
A person whose characteristics or abilities are the result of certain influences or kinds of experience
"She is the product of an America in which explicit displays of pride in intellect are considered unseemly" (Yuval Levin).
Service
(in tennis and other racket sports) the action or right of serving to begin play.
Product
The number or quantity obtained by multiplying two or more numbers together.
Service
The formal delivery of a document such as a writ or summons.
Product
A scalar product.
Service
Perform routine maintenance or repair work on (a vehicle or machine)
Ensure that gas appliances are serviced regularly
Product
A vector product.
Service
(of a male animal) mate with (a female animal)
One dog could presumably service several bitches in a day
Product
Anything that is produced; a result.
The product of last month's quality standards committee is quite good, even though the process was flawed.
Service
Work that is done for others as an occupation or business
Has done service for us as a consultant.
Product
The amount of an artifact that has been created by someone or some process.
They improve their product every year; they export most of their agricultural production.
Service
The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant
Found the butler's service to be excellent.
Product
A consequence of someone's efforts or of a particular set of circumstances.
Skill is the product of hours of practice.
His reaction was the product of hunger and fatigue.
Service
An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay
Offers a superior service to that of his competitors.
Provides full catering services.
Product
(chemistry) A chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction.
This is a product of lime and nitric acid.
Service
Assistance; help
Was of great service to him during his illness.
Product
(arithmetic) A quantity obtained by multiplication of two or more numbers.
The product of 2 and 3 is 6.
The product of 2, 3, and 4 is 24.
Service
An act of assistance or benefit; a favor
My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
Product
(mathematics) Any operation or a result thereof which generalises multiplication of numbers, like the multiplicative operation in a ring, product of types or a categorical product.
Service
The serving of food or the manner in which it is served
The service was good, but the food was lousy.
Product
Any tangible or intangible good or service that is a result of a process and that is intended for delivery to a customer or end user.
Service
A set of dishes or utensils
A silver tea service.
Product
A commodity offered for sale.
That store offers a variety of products.
We've got to sell a lot of product by the end of the month.
Service
Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government
Has been in the company's service for 15 years.
Product
Any preparation to be applied to the hair, skin, nails, etc.
Wash excess product out of your hair.
Service
A government branch or department and its employees
The diplomatic service.
Product
Illegal drugs, especially cocaine, when viewed as a commodity.
I got some product here – you buying?
Service
A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care
The anesthesiology service.
Product
To produce.
Service
The armed forces of a nation
Joined the service right after college.
Product
Anything that is produced, whether as the result of generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of the brain.
There are the productOf those ill-mated marriages.
These institutions are the products of enthusiasm.
Service
A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
Product
The number or sum obtained by adding one number or quantity to itself as many times as there are units in another number; the number resulting from the multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.
Service
The installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer
A dealer with full parts and service.
Product
To produce; to bring forward.
Service
The provision to the public of something, especially a utility
A town without sewer service.
Product
To lengthen out; to extend.
He that doth much . . . products his mortality.
Service
The system or equipment used to provide something to the public
The electrical service was damaged in the storm.
Product
To produce; to make.
Service
The right of serving in many court games.
Product
Commodities offered for sale;
Good business depends on having good merchandise
That store offers a variety of products
Service
A serve
Her first service hit the net.
Product
An artifact that has been created by someone or some process;
They improve their product every year
They export most of their agricultural production
Service
A religious rite or formal ceremony
Held services in the evening.
A memorial service.
Product
A consequence of someone's efforts or of a particular set of circumstances;
Skill is the product of hours of practice
His reaction was the product of hunger and fatigue
Service
Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
Product
A chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction;
A product of lime and nitric acid
Service
(Law) The serving of a legal process, such as a summons or court order.
Product
A quantity obtained by multiplication;
The product of 2 and 3 is 6
Service
The material, such as cord, used in binding or wrapping rope.
Product
The set of elements common to two or more sets;
The set of red hats is the intersection of the set of hats and the set of red things
Service
An answering service.
Product
Goods produced by a company for consumers.
The new smartphone is the latest product from the tech company.
Service
To make fit for use; adjust, repair, or maintain
Service a car.
Product
The result of a multiplication operation.
The product of 5 and 4 is 20.
Service
To provide services to
That cable company services most households in the area.
Product
Anything that is produced or created.
Honey is a natural product made by bees.
Service
To make interest payments on (a debt).
Product
An artifact that has been brought into existence.
The sculpture is a product of the artist's imagination.
Service
To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
Service
(Slang) To have sex with.
Service
Of or relating to the armed forces of a country.
Service
Intended for use in supplying or serving
A service elevator.
The service entrance.
Service
Offering repairs or maintenance
A service guarantee.
A road service area.
Service
Offering services to the public in response to need or demand
A service industry.
Service
An act of being of assistance to someone.
I say I did him a service by ending our relationship
– now he can freely pursue his career.
Service
(economics) The practice of providing such a service as economic activity.
Hair care is a service industry.
Service
A department in a company, an organization, a government department, etc.
Service
(computing) A function that is provided by one program or machine for another.
This machine provides the name service for the LAN.
Service
The state of being subordinate to or employed by an individual or group
Lancelot was at the service of King Arthur.
Service
The military.
I did three years in the service before coming here.
Service
A set of dishes or utensils.
She brought out the silver tea service.
Service
(sports) The act of initially starting, or serving, the ball in play in tennis, volleyball, and other games.
The player had four service faults in the set.
Service
A religious rite or ritual.
The funeral service was touching.
Service
(legal) The serving, or delivery, of a summons or writ.
The service happened yesterday.
Service
A taxi shared among unrelated passengers, each of whom pays part of the fare; often, it has a fixed route between cities.
Service
A musical composition for use in churches.
Service
(obsolete) Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed.
Service
(nautical) The materials used for serving a rope, etc., such as spun yarn and small lines.
Service
Access to resources such as hotel rooms and web-based videos without transfer of the resources' ownership.
Service
Service tree.
Service
The sorb; the fruit of this tree.
Service
(transitive) To serve.
They service the customer base.
Service
(transitive) To perform maintenance.
He is going to service the car.
Service
To supply (media outlets) with press releases etc.
Service
To inseminate through sexual intercourse.
Service
To perform a sexual act upon.
He serviced her several times a week.
Service
To attack.
To service a target; target servicing
Service
A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.
Service
The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper, slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love.
Madam, I entreat true peace of you, Which I will purchase with my duteous service.
God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms.
Service
The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office.
I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.
This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles.
To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor?
Service
Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service.
The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law.
Service
Hence, a musical composition for use in churches.
Service
Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier.
When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier.
Service
Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail.
The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures.
Service
Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed.
Service
The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass.
There was no extraordinary service seen on the board.
Service
The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpŒna or an attachment.
Service
The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.
Service
The act of serving the ball.
Service
Work done by one person or group that benefits another;
Budget separately for goods and services
Service
A company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Service
The act of public worship following prescribed rules;
The Sunday service
Service
An act of help or assistance;
He did them a service
Service
Employment in or work for another;
He retired after 30 years of service
Service
A force that is a branch of the armed forces
Service
The performance of duties by a waiter or servant;
That restaurant has excellent service
Service
Periodic maintenance on a car or machine;
It was time for an overhaul on the tractor
Service
Tableware consisting of a complete set of articles (silver or dishware) for use at table
Service
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play;
His powerful serves won the game
Service
The act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone;
He accepted service of the subpoena
Service
Canadian writer (born in England) who wrote about life in the Yukon Territory (1874-1958)
Service
A means of serving;
Of no avail
There's no help for it
Service
The act of mating by male animals;
The bull was worth good money in servicing fees
Service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
Service
Be used by; as of a utility;
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
The garage served to shelter his horses
Service
Make fit for use;
Service my truck
The washing machine needs to be serviced
Service
Mate with;
Male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
Service
The action of assisting or doing work for someone.
The plumber provided excellent service fixing the leak.
Service
The performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others.
The community center offers a space service for events.
Service
The occupation or function of serving others.
She has been in the nursing service for over a decade.
Service
A set of acts of religious devotion or ceremony.
The Sunday service at the cathedral was very moving.
Common Curiosities
Can a product also provide a service?
Yes, some products, like software or appliances, come with accompanying services like customer support or updates.
Can a business offer both products and services?
Yes, many businesses offer a combination of products and services to meet diverse customer needs.
What is a service?
A service is an intangible activity or benefit provided to clients.
Is a digital eBook a product or service?
An eBook, though digital, is typically considered a product as it's a one-time purchase that the buyer owns.
Is a downloadable software a product or service?
While software is intangible, it's often considered a product, especially when sold as a one-time purchase.
What is a product?
A product is a tangible item produced or procured for sale to customers.
Why might a company transition from offering products to services?
Companies might pivot to services to address evolving customer needs, ensure recurring revenue, or leverage expertise.
Are services always consumed immediately?
No, some services, like insurance or subscriptions, extend over a period of time.
Why can't I own a service?
Services are intangible activities or benefits you receive; thus, you benefit from them but don't own them in the way you own a product.
How do businesses price products and services?
Pricing for products often considers manufacturing costs, while services might consider time, expertise, and resources involved.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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.
