There are a lot of differences between an autotrophs and heterotrophs. The autotrophs have the ability to manufacture their own food from the inorganic raw materials. They extract them from the outside source. They reside on the inorganic medium and require an external source of energy. They are known as producers and include the plants mainly. The heterotrophs do not have the ability to manufacture their own food from the inorganic raw materials. They extract the organic nutrients from the outside source. They reside seldom on the organic medium and do not require an external source of energy. They are known as consumers and include the animals mainly.