What is the Difference Between Thick Client and Thin Client? | IT Junction

What is the Difference Between Thick Client and Thin Client?

In the computing field, the term client refers to computer software or hardware that interfaces with a server for accessing services. It is an important part of the client-server model. For instance, web browsers such as Apple Safari or Google Chrome acts as a web client that interfaces with the webserver for retrieving and displaying the web pages. Other examples are email clients like Gmail and Yahoo. Clients are classified into two types, thick client and thin client. An architecture comprising of both thick client and the thin client is known as a hybrid client.

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What is the Thick
Client?

A thick client performs the operation independent of the server. It implements its own features. The other names for a thick client are ‘fat client’ or ‘rich client’. The prime example of the thick client is personal computers connected to LAN (Local Area Network), cloud computing or virtual network servers, etc. Other examples of the thick client are subscription featured programs and apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud, MS Office 365, etc. installed in a computing device. However, despite the ability of the thick clients to function without a central server, it still requires a periodic network server connection.

Features of Thick
Client:

• High-Level Graphics
  User Interface
• Efficient Program and
  Data Processing
• Ability to Work Offline
• Highly Efficient Server
  Performance

What is Thin Client?

Unlike a thick client, the thin client needs a server to
function properly. It is heavily depended on the central server for data
processing or retrieving files. With a thin client, the server performs
sensitive functions like storage, retrieving the files and data processing. The
perfect example of a thin client is a web browser. They don’t seem to be
interesting unless they are connected to the web servers. Once they get access to
the webserver, they provide a wide range of functionality and services.

Features of Thin
Client:

• Less maintenance of
  Hardware and Software
• Reduced risk of
  malfunction as the files and apps are stored in the central server
• Cost-effective
• Fewer hardware requirements
  as compared to thick clients.

A Quick Comparison
Between Thick Client and Thin Client

 
Thick Client

 
Thin Client
 

 
Can function
independently of a central server

 
Heavily dependent on
the server

 
Expensive as they
need more IT work to deploy them

 
Cost-effective as
they are easy to deploy without any extra installation software
  Utilizes more local resources   Utilizes less local resources
 
Data is stored
locally

 
Data is stored on the
server

 
Can function
efficiently in offline mode

 
Cannot function
efficiently in offline mode

 
Example: Personal
Computers connected to LAN.

 
Example: Web Browsers
like Google Chrome and Apple Safari