We come across Cache and Cookies in web browsers, apps, etc. every day. Have you wondered what exactly cache and cookies are? What is the difference between Cache and Cookies? If you did, this is the guide for you, that explains what they are and the difference between them.
What are Cookies?
Internet Cookies are small files that store data and information related to the websites you’ve visited. These may include your browser info, passwords, visited pages, preferences, IP address, time and date of visits, etc. Whenever you visit a website, the browser sends the already loaded cookies to the server, which makes the pages load fast and serves ads and other content according to your previous visits.
The lifespan of the cookies is usually limited and it is decided by the creators of different websites. Sometimes the web browsers you use decide the lifespan of cookies.
Cookies usually contain all information about the user collected while visiting a website or a web app. Netscape introduced cookies first, and then everyone followed suit. We generally see a Cookie consent bar or popup whenever we visit a website for the first time.
Read: Block or Allow Third-Party Cookies in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
What is Cache?
Cache, also known as Web Cache or HTTP Cache, is a technology that temporarily stores web documents to reduce bandwidth usage, increase page load speeds, or decrease the load on the server. Cache stores web documents in the form of information that contains images, HTML pages, etc. In simple words, Cache is nothing but downloaded pages of websites, which helps pages load faster when we visit them again.
Read: How to Reset Microsoft Store or Clear Windows Store Cache
Difference between Cache and Cookies
There are many differences between Cache and Cookies. They are:
Basic Differences
At a basic level, a Cache is used by the system to store a website’s content to make it load faster in subsequent visits. Cookies are used by websites or applications to store user activities and information that help them load ads and content according to their preferences.
Content Stored in Cache and Cookies
Cache stores javascript, HTML pages, CSS, media like images, audio, video, etc. These are all loaded fast when you visit the website again.
Cookies store data for tracking user activity on a particular website, browsing sessions, history of websites and preferences, etc.
Memory Usage
The cache uses a lot of memory as it requires saving everything of a webpage or a website. In contrast, Cookies take up less memory as they only store information regarding web usage.
Storage Location
The cache is stored only on your device in the browser data, but Cookies are saved on both the website’s server and your web browser.
Read:
- Where are Temporary Internet Files stored in Windows 11?
- Where are Cookies stored by Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera in Windows 11
The lifeSpan of Cookies and Cache
Cache has no expiration date or lifespan. The user has to delete them manually. Cookies have a limited lifespan set by the website creator. They expire after the time set by the creator.
Should I clear cache or cookies?
Yes, experts recommend clearing Cache and cookies frequently. Cache occupies a lot of storage space and is heavy on memory. Cookies store information that helps websites and companies track you and serve you ads according to your preferences. Also, they may contain data from broken sites or potentially harmful content that may harm your PC.
Are cookies considered cache?
No, not at all. Cookies and Cache are two entirely different things. Cookies save information regarding web usage, preferences, and IP address whereas Cache stores data of a website including media, CSS, and HTML pages.
Related read: Disable, Enable Cookies in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera browsers.
