1. Different institutions: Yunnan Open University is a new university sponsored by the Yunnan Provincial People's Government and headed by the Provincial Education Department. The National Open University is a new type of institution of higher learning directly under the Ministry of Education, with the mission of promoting lifelong learning, supported by modern information technology, characterized by "internet plus" and open education for the whole country.

2. Different coverage: Yunnan Open University is a new type of higher education supported by information technology and implementing distance open education with equal emphasis on academic education and non-academic education. The National Open University emphasizes the school-running philosophy of "openness, responsibility, quality, diversification and internationalization", and mainly carries out academic education and non-academic education.