The two biggest factors that distinguish one competitive strategy from another concern

the different functional area strategies that a company can pursue and the different operating strategies that a company can pursue.

the different competitive means that can be pursued to deliver superior value to customers and the different actions that can be pursued to deliver superior value to shareholders.

whether a company's top competitive strategy priority is to deliver superior value to customers or to shareholders and whether a company is pursuing a competitive advantage linked to low price or superior quality.

the different means that can be pursued to become the industry's low$-$cost provider and whether the intent of the strategy is aimed at being the industry's market share leader or the most profitable company in the industry.