Difference between Serial Port and Parallel Ports

Prerequisite – Introduction of Ports in Computers

1. Serial Port:
A serial port is an interface that is used for connecting the serial lines to attain the
serial communication. These ports can dock a 9-pin D-shaped connector that
connects to the transmission line, is called DB-9 connectors. Serial communication
gained by single wire and only the single stream of data is transferred from one end
to other. Therefore, like parallel transmission, in serial transmission data speed
mismatch is not a problem. The length of the wire can be increased as needed.
The transmission speed of serial port is comparatively low as compared to parallel
port transmission speed. Serial ports are typically implemented in the modems,
connecting devices, controllers, mouse and also in security cameras. DB-9 pin
connector diagram is given below.

2. Parallel Port:
Unlike serial port, a parallel port can move a set of 8 bits at a time on eight different
wires. That’s why it is faster in comparison to the serial communication. Unlike serial
port, It uses a 25 pin connector that is called DB-25 connector. To eliminate crosstalk
and errors, all bitstreams need to transfer data at the same speed in parallel
communication. But, that is impractical. Therefore, for this reason, transmission
lines are preferred to be short in parallel communication.
Parallel ports are typically implemented in zip-drives, printers, hard drives, CD-ROM
drives, etc. DB-25 pin connector diagram is given below.

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Difference between Serial port and Parallel Ports:
S.NO SERIAL PORT PARALLEL PORT

Serial port is used to achieve serial While parallel port is used to

1. transmission. achieve parallel transmission.

The transmission speed of serial port While transmission speed of

is comparatively low as compared to parallel port is higher than serial

2. parallel port transmission speed. port transmission speed.

While in parallel port

communication more number of

In serial port communication less wires are used as compared to serial

3. number of wires are used. port.

A serial port is capable of delivering While a parallel port is capable of

4. the single stream of data. delivering multiple streams of data.

Serial port send a bit after another bite While parallel ports send multiple

5. at a time. bits at once.

In a serial port, male ports are While in a parallel port, female

6. involved. ports are involved.

Serial ports are typically implemented Parallel ports are typically

in modems, connecting devices, implemented in zip-drives, printers,

7. security cameras and controllers. hard drives, CD-ROM drives, etc.

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