| Comparative Points | Resistance Thermometer or RTD | Thermocouple |
| Working Principle | RTD directly measures the actual temperature of object, because electrical resistance is directly proportional to temperature. | Thermocouple measures the temperature difference between hot junction and cold junction. |
| Material used | Metals like Copper, platinum, Nickel etc. | Metals like Copper, Iron, Platinum, Rhodium or alloys like Constantan. |
| Output reading | Actual temperature of object. | Temperature difference between temperature of cold junction and hot junction. |
| Temperature range | Low range of measurement from – 200°C to 1000°C. | Wide range of measurement from – 200°C to 1600°C. |
| Sensitivity | RTD is more sensitive than thermocouple. | Less sensitive due to very small emf output. |
| Effect of change in atmospheric temperature | No effect on accuracy of measurement. | Affects accuracy of measurement. |
| Response | Better response. | Comparatively slow response. |
| Cost | High cost. | Moderate cost. |