Abstract: Outburst and rock burst seriously threaten coal mine safety production, we conclude the similarities and differences between outburst and rock burst on the basis of analyzing relative literature data. The result indicates that there are 12 similarities and 9 differences between outburst and rock burst. Finally, taking the relation of geological structure, top coal caving process for example respectively, the similarities and differences are analyzed. The research result indicates that geological structure supplies the advantages for the outburst and rock burst, and top coal caving does not apply to the outburst coal seam, and but, it is propitious to control the burst.