The key difference between Apache Ant and Apache Maven lies in their approach to build automation and project management. Apache Ant is a procedural build tool that executes tasks in a user-defined sequence, giving developers complete control over how the build process runs. It relies on XML-based scripts (build.xml) to define tasks such as compilation, packaging, and deployment, making it highly flexible but also more manual to maintain. Apache Maven, on the other hand, follows a declarative and convention-over-configuration model. It uses a pom.xml file to define a project’s structure, dependencies, and lifecycle phases, automating most repetitive tasks. Maven also has a built-in dependency management system and standard directory layout, which reduces configuration effort. In essence, Ant offers flexibility and control, while Maven emphasizes standardization, dependency management, and ease of maintenance for large-scale projects.