C₃ plants form phosphoglyceric acid as the first stable product; C₄ plants form oxaloacetic acid.
C₃ plants have low water use efficiency; C₄ plants have higher water use efficiency.
C₃ plants have a lower photosynthetic rate; C₄ plants show a comparatively higher rate.
C₃ plants exhibit high photorespiration; C₄ plants have low photorespiration.
C₃ plants require 3 ATP and 2 NADPH per CO₂; C₄ plants need 5 ATP and 2 NADPH per CO₂.
Calvin cycle occurs in C₃ plants; in C₄ plants, it is restricted to bundle sheath cells.
CO₂ acceptor in C₃ plants is RuBP; in C₄ plants, it is PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate).