The terms represent two distinct, yet related, capabilities within the Microsoft Power Platform. One facilitates the creation of external-facing, data-centric websites, enabling interaction with authenticated or anonymous users. The other serves as a low-code application development environment for building internal-facing solutions, often tailored to specific business processes. Consider a scenario where a company needs a customer portal for order tracking (first term) and a separate application for internal sales team lead management (second term).
Understanding the differences between these tools is crucial for organizations aiming to leverage the Power Platform effectively. This understanding helps to select the appropriate solution for a given project, avoiding costly rework and ensuring optimal resource allocation. Originally, the first mentioned capability was offered as a feature within the second; however, it has evolved into a dedicated platform offering enhanced capabilities for building secure and scalable web experiences.