In , Paladins and Clerics are the two divine spellcasters. They both get access to some of the same spells and can fill similar roles in the party composition.
Though they are often considered to have fixed roles as damage dealers and healers, there is a lot more to them and a considerable amount of overlap in their abilities.
Due to having some abilities in common and being alike in terms of lore, it may be difficult for players to choose the right one for their character. It's hard to say which one is the best choice, as it depends on the player's preferences, but there is a lot that can be compared between the two.
So, which areas do the two classes shine in? Despite the two classes actually being fairly similar, they're at opposite ends of the popularity scale, as revealed on X. Paladins are half-casters, which limits them to spells only up to level 3. Unlike Clerics, they don't get access to damage-dealing AOE spells.
Paladins can perform various smite attacks, but the one they will likely be using the most is the iconic. This spell is very reliable, being a very heavy hitter and not using up a spell slot on a miss — players also have the option to turn regular critical hits into divine smites by using a reaction.