A contest differs from a sweepstakes in that it typically requires participants to demonstrate skill or creativity, such as through writing, art, or other forms of competition. In contrast, a sweepstakes relies solely on chance, where winners are selected randomly from entries. A contest differs from a sweepstakes in that it often has specific judging criteria and may involve a panel of judges, while sweepstakes are generally open to anyone who meets the entry requirements, making them more accessible but less skill-based.