Sign up vs log in
Sign up vs log in
Sign up vs log in
| Sign up (register) | Log in (sign in) | |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | First-time users | Returning users |
| What you provide | Email or phone, a new password, and often a name and verification (email code, CAPTCHA) | Your existing email/username and password, or a single sign-on option like Google or Apple |
| What it does | Creates your profile and credentials in the system | Checks your credentials and starts a session |
| Happens how often | Once per account | Each time your session expires or you switch devices |
| If you get it wrong | An error like "email already in use" means you already have an account, so log in instead | An error like "invalid credentials" means you should reset your password, or sign up if you never made an account |