Workgroup Vs Domain

A workgroup is best understood as a peer-to-peer network. That is, each computer is sustainable on its own. It has its own user list, it’s own access control and its own resources. In order for a user to access resources on another workgroup computer, that exact user must be setup on the other computer.
In addition, workgroups offer little security outside of basic access control. Windows “share permissions” are very basic and do not offer any kind of granularity for “who” can access “what”, etc.

Domains, on the other hand, provide centralized management and security. User access is controlled from a separate server called a domain controller and there is a “trust” built between systems in a domain. There are much more robust differences as well. A domain is a trusted group of computers that share security, access control and have data passed down from a centralized domain controller server or servers. Domain Controllers handle all aspects of granting users permission to login. They are the gatekeeper. In addition, most modern domains use Active Directory which allows and even more centralized point for software distribution, user management and computer controls.