The distinctions are enumerated below: 

i. In unitary government system powers remained at central place and central government have the authority to make all the decision while in federal government most of the powers except powers related to international affairs are delegated to local governments or provinces.

ii. Unitary government is not as much democratic form of government due to decision-making power at central place while federal government is a pure democratic government in which local governments, territories, constituents states or provinces can enjoys some powers regarding governing and decision making in their respective regions.

iii. Unitary government have just one government that’s why it is also known by the name of central government while in federal government there are two governments, one at central position and other at state or province level.

iv. Unitary government may or may not have constitution. Like England has no constitution while France has constitution and both are unitary government. While federal government must have a constitution. In case of disputes between institutions in federal government or any bill passed by parliament, judiciary will interfere in the matter. While in case of unitary government, even highest court cannot give judgment or remarks on the law or bill passed by parliament.

v. In the federal government, there is a hierarchy of power from federal level to state and local level. In unitary government, the powers and authorities are shared with the lower level government when needed.

vi. There are the common set of rules and regulations in the entire country under the unitary system of government. In a federal government system, there can be variations in rules and regulations at central and state level. So, the unitary government is a government system where there exist only one national tire of government. There can be more self-governing territories as well but in most of the cases, it remains mostly centralized.

vii. In the federal government, the central and government and the independent states government can form a collation or agreement to operate jointly. While it is not common practice in the unitary government system where the independent regions or states exist by the permission of the central government. This permission can be revoked anytime by the unitary government.

viii. In both federal and unitary government, the power of devolution rests with the central government however the process for the establishment of federation starts from the below level while in unitary government it is established by the self-governing regions at their own.