It is often a common misconception that these two mean the same thing. But they are not interchangeable, and products labelled as such have different properties that you must pay attention to.

When a product is labelled as being anti-static, it means that the properties of the product will not contribute towards generating static in the user. It will dissipate static across the surface and never contribute towards a static discharge.

ESD products are more rigid, in the fact that they are grounded and provide a constant avenue for the static to dissipate into the ground. They will often last for a longer period of time than their anti-static counterparts.