A SharePoint publishing site is typically used to create intranet and communication portals. Publishing sites are typically more structured, and built using a master page and site publishing template. Because a publishing portal is a site collection, it may also include sub sites. To create a publishing site, publishing features must be activated. A complete solution for a publishing site may involve deeper design and development work to create custom master pages and design page layouts.
A communication site doesn't rely on activation of publishing features; doesn't use a master page; and is generally less structured. It is designed to be used without sub-sites. It uses modern pages and web parts. While there is less structure and enforcement on a communication site, it is easy to create a beautiful, mobile-ready page without code. It is created with one of three templates: Topic (with web parts to get you started sharing information such as news and events), Showcase (with web parts to use photos or images that showcase a product, team or event), or Blank to create your own design.
