(i) Crown Colony is a form of direct rule of British annexed territories in which the British established political institutions such as the executive council, legislative council and governor which were used in ruling the people who were regarded as British subjects.
Protectorate is a region, political unit or state that is controlled and protected by another or government by which it is ruled
(ii) Crown colony is a part of a larger country governed by that same country.
A protectorate is its own state merely protected by a larger country.
(iii) For a colony, all foreign relations are created and dealt with by the mother country.
A state which is a protectorate has the aid of a larger nation when conducting foreign relations
(iv)The governors are virtual colonial dictators as they have veto powers.
The people in a more equal relationship are governed through their traditional rulers and chiefs.
(v) Unlike a protectorate, a colony is not in an equal relationship with its mother country.
A protectorate is in a more equal relationship with its mother country than a colony
(vi) There is the existence of the monarch (the king or queen) who is the head of all the British colonies.
There is the existence of traditional rulers and chiefs ruling the people subject to the control by the governor on behalf of the monarch.
(vii) Colonies can be seen as a threat to other nations, as it is the spreading of one country to other countries.
Protectorates can be seen as an alliance. The more allies, the stronger the territory and country.
(viii) A colony is governed internally and externally by a foreign power.
A protectorate governs itself internally, while the foreign power controls its external relations.
(ix) It is far more expensive to govern.
Unlike the crown colony, it is not that expensive to govern.