There are many differences between the two, from their schooling, to their unit/team composition, to the very missions they perform. The largest difference is the missions of Rangers and Special Forces tend to be unique from one another. Generally speaking, Army Special Forces (aka Green Berets, SF) are trained and equipped to work more clandestine operations behind enemy lines. Special Forces missions include, amongst other things, training and equipping other forces so they therefore spend much of their time teaching. While both Rangers and Special Forces can both perform Direct Action missions, Special Forces uniqueness lean more toward long term missions where they remain with host nations for longer periods of time performing force multiplying (training and equipping a force where there was none). For more information on on Special Forces, please visit Army Special Forces overview Website, the Ft. Bragg Special Forces Website, or the U.S. Army Special Forces Command FAQ Sheet.

The Rangers on the other hand, tend to be used more for a dynamic application where the need requires a tremendous amount of intensity and firepower (example taking a critical or fortified position like an airport). The Rangers are trained and equipped to move long distances over eratic terrain either from air or land in a way the enemy might never suspect their arrival. And lastly, Rangers generally end up sprinkled through out the Army's various branches, whereas Special Forces remains generally entact. It has been said before that Rangers that get transferred spend the rest of their careers working to get back to the 75th Ranger Regiment (i.e. home). For more information on Rangers please visit 75th Ranger Regiment Website and What is a Ranger.