Sod is real grass, grown on a farm and delivered in rolls. It gives you an instant lawn at a lower up-front cost than turf, it stays cool underfoot, and it's the right choice for large, sunny yards. The trade-off is upkeep: mowing, watering, fertilizing, and patching worn areas every season.
Artificial turf costs more to install but very little to maintain. There's no mowing, watering, or fertilizing, and it stays green from snowmelt to first frost. It shines in the places grass struggles: shady side yards, dog runs, small urban backyards, and play areas that turn to mud each spring.
Both depend on preparation. Sod needs cleared, graded ground and a layer of good topsoil, then steady watering for the first few weeks while it roots. Turf needs excavation, a compacted stone base graded to drain, and a weed barrier before it's rolled out, seamed, and infilled.
Winter is less of a factor than people expect. Sod goes dormant and greens up again in spring. Quality turf handles snow and freeze-thaw well; clear it with a plastic shovel and skip the de-icing salt.
Many yards end up with both: sod across the open, sunny space and turf where grass never grew well. If you're unsure which fits your yard, a site visit usually makes the answer obvious.