Following are main difference between dual trace CRO and dual beam CRO
| Dual trace CRO | Dual beam CRO |
|---|---|
| It is used single electron beam to display two traces. | It is used two electron beams for displaying two signals. |
| A single vertical amplifier is used. | Two vertical amplifiers are used for two beams. |
| It is not able to capture two fast transient events. | It is captures two fast transient easily. |
| It cannot switch quickly between traces, so simultaneous display becomes difficult. | It can display two traces simultaneously. |
| The two signals may or may not have same frequency. | The two signals must have the same frequency or they must be harmonically related. |
| A single beam can be used for displaying multiple traces. | Multiple beams are used for displaying multiple traces. |
| Two signals can be displayed on a dual trace oscilloscope. But, the two signals cannot be displayed together in real time. | Two signals can be displayed simultaneously in real time. |