What is Online vs Digital?

Often I get the question; what is the difference between digital and online?

My advice is that you shall always think through what you mean when using the expressions online and digital. Here’s how I like to explain the two terms. 

I usually try to explain online and digital in a simplified way:

Online

Online means that someone or something currently is connected to the Internet.

Digital

Digital, meanwhile, is a format or a process. It describes electronic technology that generates, stores, and processes data. Digital can thus be both online and offline—for example; a digital audio file can both be streamed online and stored on a disc or hard drive.

I have summarised it into a presentation (pptx). Check it out and feel free to download.

Want to know more? Through our digitalisation guide: what, why, when and how to use it you'll find much more to read!

This article was updated June 21, 2021.

You can also read this article in Swedish on Onlineguiden.