Although many players may not notice, Grand Theft Auto V’s story mode is, on average, more detailed than GTA Online. Most of these differences are due to optimization, especially when GTA Online first launched on older hardware. Here are 50 small but interesting differences between the two versions of the game.

Environmental and Character Details
- In story mode, clothing moves in the wind while riding motorcycles, showing wrinkles and airflow. This detail is absent in GTA Online.
- The three protagonists have unique car-stealing animations, including special moves when entering convertibles. GTA Online uses faster, simplified animations.
- Story mode characters physically pull out a phone when used, while in GTA Online the phone simply appears in the HUD.
- Police stations in story mode spawn more squad cars, while GTA Online reduces this number for performance reasons. With cheap gta money, players can collect police cars for their garage faster.
- The marked Police Buffalo patrols freely in story mode, but in GTA Online, it only appears in certain missions.
- Police dispatchers in story mode give live descriptions of suspect vehicles, a feature missing in GTA Online.
- The Police Sovereign bike appears in story mode, while in GTA Online it only exists as a purchasable vehicle.

Gameplay Mechanics
- Shooting near a car’s gas tank in story mode can cause fuel leaks, leading to fire. This mechanic is not in GTA Online for balance reasons.
- Characters can be ejected through the windshield in story mode during major crashes. This is disabled in GTA Online.
- The stock market exists in story mode, linked to story events, but was excluded from GTA Online due to balance and potential exploits.
- Ragdolling against walls is possible in story mode but was disabled online to prevent abuse.
- Characters scream while falling in story mode, but remain silent online.
- Protagonists’ garages in story mode hold four cars, while in GTA Online the same space was expanded to fit six.
- NPC cars may contain two occupants in story mode, while GTA Online always spawns them with one.
- Car alarms sound when first entering vehicles in story mode, but not in GTA Online.
- Surrendering to police with a low wanted level is possible in story mode but removed in GTA Online.
- NPCs working on broken-down cars can be found in story mode, but never appear in GTA Online.
- Characters drop their phone when using the handbrake in story mode, while in GTA Online the phone stays visible.

World and Map Differences
- Yellow poles outside Beeker’s Garage exist in story mode but not in GTA Online.
- Franklin’s mansion door is open in story mode but locked in GTA Online.
- The Vanilla Unicorn’s back door is accessible in story mode but blocked in GTA Online.
- Certain parking meters appear in story mode but are absent online.
- The blimp spawns naturally in story mode but was delayed in GTA Online until later updates.
- Fences, walls, and props such as dumpsters and generators often exist in story mode but are removed online.
- A flag at Rockford Hills Fire Department is present in story mode but missing in GTA Online.
- Parking lots and rooftops have different fencing depending on the mode.
- Story mode NPCs populate metro trains, while GTA Online metros are always empty.
- A destroyed wall near the downtown freeway is detailed in story mode but simplified online.
- Franklin, Michael, and Trevor bank with different institutions in story mode, while GTA Online only uses Maze Bank.
- Franklin’s home interior appears neat in story mode but looks broken and disorganized when viewed in GTA Online.

Weapons, Vehicles, and Customization
- Melee attacks on motorcycles are disabled in story mode but available in GTA Online.
- Car explosions from landing on the hood occur in story mode but not online.
- Chrome wheels cannot be chosen in story mode vehicle customization, but are available in GTA Online.
- When weapons are lowered, protagonists hold them differently in story mode than GTA Online.

Clothing and Animation
- Older outfits, like Trevor’s leather jacket, are more detailed in story mode than in GTA Online.
- Different clothing stores sell unique products in story mode, while GTA Online makes all clothing available in every store.
- Trevor is attacked on sight by the Lost MC gang in story mode, while GTA Online players are ignored.
- Sweat stains appear on clothing after running in story mode but not online.
- Each protagonist has unique idle animations in story mode, while GTA Online uses a single stance.
- Clothing textures and details in story mode can appear higher quality compared to some older GTA Online assets.

Immersion and Miscellaneous
- The Maze Bank Arena sign advertises Fame or Shame auditions in story mode, but in GTA Online it updates to promote Arena War.
- Snacks and armor must be purchased as needed in story mode, while GTA Online allows players to carry extras.
- The airport fence is indestructible in story mode, but breakable in GTA Online.
- When switching cars to evade police in story mode, wanted levels fade more effectively than in GTA Online.
- Story mode allows unique pedestrian interactions, like finding NPCs working on vehicles, which are missing online.
- The protagonists’ phones feature unique designs for the settings app, while GTA Online reuses Michael’s design.
- Story mode includes longer “hit by car” animations, while GTA Online shortens them for smoother gameplay.
- Cars get impounded at Mission Row in story mode, while GTA Online always uses the Davis station.

Evolution Between Modes
Some differences reflect Rockstar’s design choices to streamline online play. For example, garages expanded, the minimap zoom was improved, and carrying snacks and armor became possible in GTA Online. However, many immersive details like ambient NPCs, car animations, or dispatch audio remain exclusive to story mode.

GTA 5 story mode and GTA Online share the same world but differ in countless small details. Many of these changes were made for optimization, gameplay balance, or quality-of-life improvements. While story mode offers more immersion with its tiny details, GTA Online streamlines mechanics to handle large numbers of players and ongoing updates. These differences highlight Rockstar’s approach to designing a single-player cinematic experience versus a massive online multiplayer world.