Main Difference – Compared to vs Compared with
The verb compare is used with both prepositions to and with. Both these usages are generally considered to be correct although the choice between the two prepositions usually depends on meaning and grammar. Although there is a traditional difference between compared to and compared with, this distinction is often disregarded and compared to is often preferred, especially in spoken language. The main difference between compared to and compared with is that compared to is usually used to indicate similarities between objects regarded as essentially of a different order whereas compared with is usually used to indicate differences between objects regarded as essentially of the same order.
This article explains,
1. Grammar, Meaning and Usage of Compared to
2. Grammar, Meaning and Usage of Compared with
3. Difference Between Compared to and Compared with 
Compared to – Grammar, Meaning and Usage
The preposition to is usually used with the verb compare, when the comparison is between two seemingly unrelated objects. In other words, it is used when likening one thing to another. According to AP style book, Compared to should be used when the intent is to assert, without the need for elaboration, that two or more items are similar.
He compared the teacher to a lioness.
Her novel was compared to the Tale of two cities.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
The press compared him to Sherlock Holmes.
He compared my dog to a scared mouse.
According to the Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2004), compared to is more common in spoken language.
He compared the stars in the sky to diamonds.
Compared with – Grammar, Meaning and Usage
The preposition with should be used with the verb compare when we are comparing the differences between two objects regarded as essentially of the same order. According to AP stylebook, compared with should be used “when juxtaposing two or more items to illustrate similarities and/or differences.”
British parliament can be compared with congress.
The hospital compared their facilities with those of others in the area.
We compared the attitude of the city-dwellers with those living in the country.
55.4% of the state employees were satisfied with their jobs, compared with 34.5% in the private sector.
Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2004) states that compared with is a good deal more frequent than compared to in British English.
Earth is very small when compared with Jupiter.
Difference Between Compared to and Compared with
Usage
Compared to is more frequently used in spoken language.
Compared with is more preferred in British English.
Meaning
Compared to is usually used to indicate similarities between objects regarded as essentially of a different order.
Compared with is usually used to indicate differences between objects regarded as essentially of the same order.
Comparison
Compared to is used to liken one thing to another.
Compared with is not usually used to liken one thing to another.
Reference:
Peters, P. (2004) The Cambridge Guide to English Usage. Cambridge
Maddox, M. (n.d.). Compared “to” or Compared “with”? Retrieved July 28, 2016, from here
Image Courtesy:
“Jupiter Earth Comparison at 29 km per px” By Urhixidur – NASA, Wikicommons (English Wikipedia Jupiter-Earth-Spot comparison.jpg) (Public Domain) Commons Wikimedia
“Night-sky-milky-way-stars-hills – West Virginia – Forest Wander” By Forest Wander (CC BY-SA 3.0 us) via Commons Wikimedia
