How are ionic bonds different from covalent bonds?

The primary difference between ionic and covalent bonds lies in how atoms interact with their valence electrons to achieve stability.12

Ionic Bonds

An ionic bond forms through the permanent transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another. This process creates oppositely charged ions: the atom that loses electrons becomes a positively charged cation, while the atom that gains them becomes a negatively charged anion. These ions are held together by mutual electrostatic attraction. Ionic compounds typically form between metals and nonmetals and often result in hard, crystalline solids with high melting points.134

Covalent Bonds

A covalent bond occurs when atoms share pairs of electrons. Unlike the ionic process, no permanent transfer takes place; instead, the shared electrons localize between the atoms, creating a strong, directional bond. Covalent bonds generally form between nonmetals with similar electronegativities. These bonds are often very stable, and covalently bonded substances can exhibit a wide range of physical properties, from the extreme hardness of diamond to the distinct molecular structures of gases and liquids.5216