The differences between public and private clouds primarily revolve around ownership, accessibility, and scalability. A public cloud is maintained by third-party providers and is accessible to anyone, offering resources on a pay-as-you-go basis. In contrast, a private cloud is dedicated to a specific organization, providing enhanced control and security over sensitive data. Private clouds can be hosted on-premises or through a third-party service. Organizations often choose between these options based on their needs for cost, customization, and regulatory compliance.