Porcelain is made of clay, sand, and glass, fired at higher temperatures. That makes it heavier, denser, and better for flooring in high traffic areas like the kitchen.
It’s also waterproof whether or not it’s glazed and can withstand weather so people also use it on walkways, patios, decks and poolside.
A large-format, it can be made to look like anything, including wood and stone. Many find it to be a great solution for the wood flooring in the bathroom they always wanted, but couldn't have because of wood's moisture challenges.
Others find it ideal as stone because the fewer grout lines give it a more continuous, quarried look.
Ceramic tile is thinner and highly designed. When you walk into a tile store, you'll be pleasantly shocked by the colors, patterns, designs, shapes, and sizes.
Ceramics come glazed and unglazed, but it does need to be glazed to be waterproof. It is thinner but tough, and best for floors in low traffic areas in interior areas only. You'll also see it as backsplashes and accent walls.
All tile is durable and easy to clean. It's probably best to have it installed professionally as it can be heavy, unwieldy, and requires special saws for cutting.