A difference between contests and sweepstakes is that contests typically require participants to demonstrate skill or creativity, such as submitting an essay or artwork, while sweepstakes are based purely on chance, where winners are drawn randomly from entries. Another difference between contests and sweepstakes is that contests often have specific judging criteria, whereas sweepstakes do not involve any evaluation of entries. Understanding these distinctions can help participants choose the right type of competition to enter based on their strengths and preferences.