Plantains and bananas are both members of the same family, Musaceae, but they are two different fruits. The main difference between the two is that plantains are starchier and are usually cooked before eating, while bananas are sweeter and eaten raw. Plantains have thicker skins and are generally longer and wider than bananas. Plantains also contain less sugar than bananas and are typically used in savory dishes.

Bananas are sweeter and have thinner skins, making them easier to peel and eat raw. They are also smaller than plantains and contain more sugar. Bananas are generally eaten raw and are a popular snack food. They are also widely used in desserts and baking. Bananas can also be cooked, but are not as popular for cooking as plantains.