Comparison with Robert's Rules of Order
| Democratic Rules of Order | Robert's Rules of Order |
| 27 pages of rules plus 37 pages of answers to questions, examples, etc. | Up to 700 pages of rules and protocol (depending on which edition) |
| All motions have similar properties so there are no complicated classifications to learn | There are many kinds of motions: main, subsidiary, incidental, privileged,
and they all have special properties which must be learned or found in tables.
|
| Uses plain language so no need to learn a specialized vocabulary. | Contains some special phrases which must be learned e.g.: "the previous question", "orders of the day", "lay on the table", "question of privilege", "suppress debate", etc. |
| Allows informal decision-making but automatically requires more formality when necessary. | Rather formal when it's rules are consistently followed. |
| Members with a greater knowledge of the rules have no special advantage. | Members with a greater knowledge of the rules can use it for personal advantage. |
| Originally written in 1994 as rules of order for meetings of any size. | Originally written in 1876 based on rules of order for the United States Congress. |
| Contains rules for every likely situation. | Contains rules for every likely situation. |
| Likely to be read and understood by the Chair and many members. | Likely to be partially read and understood by the Chair and a few members. |