| Direct development | | Indirect development |
| 1. | It is a type of development in which an embryo develops into a mature individual without involving a larval stage. | 1. | It is a type of development that involves a sexually-immature larval stage, having different food requirements than adults. |
| 2. | Metamorphosis is absent. | 2. | Metamorphosis involving development of larva to a sexually-mature adult is present. |
| 3. | It occurs in fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals. | 3. | It occurs in most of the invertebrates and amphibians. |