Criterion | Prim’s Algorithm | Kruskal’s Algorithm

------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Approach | Starts from one vertex and adds the smallest connected edge each time | Sorts all edges first and adds them one by one if they don’t make a cycle

Time complexity | O(E log V) with a priority queue | O(E log E) because of edge sorting

Data structure used | Uses adjacency list or matrix and a priority queue | Uses edge list and union-find (disjoint set)

Best suited for | Works better on dense graphs | Works better on sparse graphs

Ease of implementation | Easier when graph is in adjacency matrix form | Easier when graph is in edge list form

Execution speed (practical) | A bit slower on large sparse graphs | Usually faster on sparse graphs