Kubernetes StatefulSets and Deployments are two fundamentally distinct ways to deploy and manage containerized applications in Kubernetes. The key difference between them is that StatefulSets support stateful applications, which retain data persistently, while Deployments are designed for stateless applications that do not require persistent storage. Each approach has its own set of features, use cases, and best practices. To choose the right option, it's essential to determine whether a workload is stateful and requires pods with unique identifiers or not. If the workload is stateless or does not require persistent storage, a Deployment is typically the better choice. However, if the workload is stateful or requires pods with unique identifiers, a StatefulSet is more suitable. Additionally, understanding common mistakes to avoid when using these resources, such as misusing StatefulSets for stateless applications or trying to use Deployments for stateful applications, is crucial for effective deployment and management of Kubernetes workloads.