What is the difference?
Polyamory vs Open relationship
Both are forms of consensual non-monogamy, so the words are often used interchangeably. In general, polyamory centres on multiple loving relationships, while an open relationship centres on an existing couple who allow outside connections, often mainly sexual ones.
Polyamory
The practice of, or openness to, having more than one loving, committed relationship at a time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.
Full entryOpen relationship
A committed relationship in which the partners agree that one or both may have sexual or romantic involvement with other people.
Full entrySide by side
In short
Polyamory is about loving more than one person; an open relationship is a couple opening their door to others. The two can overlap, and people choose the label that fits their arrangement.
What they have in common
Both rely on the knowledge and consent of everyone involved, and both work best with honest, ongoing communication.
More comparisons
- Affirmative consentvsEnthusiastic consentAffirmative consent is about getting a clear yes; enthusiastic consent goes a step further and cares whether that yes is truly wanted.
- AsexualvsAromanticAsexual answers "do I feel sexual attraction?"; aromantic answers "do I feel romantic attraction?". A person can be one, both or neither.
- Bacterial vaginosisvsThrushA fishy smell points more towards BV, itching more towards thrush, but symptoms overlap, so it is worth getting them checked by a pharmacist, doctor or sexual health clinic.
- BDSMvsIntimate partner violence 18+Calling something BDSM never makes non-consensual harm acceptable. If limits are pushed, safewords ignored or fear creeps in, it is abuse, and domestic abuse services can help.
Last reviewed 10 October 2026. Spotted a mistake?