These terms are similar in terms of a country, is either a protectorate or a colony, it is influenced by another country in some ways. However, protectorate means that the state is under the protection of another country in exchange for something. This other country acts as a defender and protects the protectorate from foreign invasion. On the contrary, a colony is a territory governed by another country, thus, it does not have any sovereignty. A protectorate is likely to have foreign relations but they are directed towards the country that protects it. If a colony has any foreign relations, they are governed by the country it belongs to. While a protectorate has autonomy, has its own way of functioning, so it is autonomous in its internal affairs, a colony is owned and controlled by another country. A protectorate comes under the control of the protector, whereas a colony is lead by a colonizer.
