Changelog vs Release Notes vs Product Updates: What's the Difference?
If you're building a product, you’ve probably heard terms like changelog, release notes, or product updates. Maybe you’ve even used them to mean the same thing. That’s okay — a lot of people do.
But while they’re similar, they actually serve different purposes.
At LastRelease, we help companies share what’s new with their users. So in this post, we’ll break down what each term means, how they’re different, and when to use each one.
Let’s dive in.
1. What is a Changelog?
A changelog is a list of changes made to a product. It’s usually more technical, and it’s often written for developers or power users who want the full details.
Changelogs are direct, simple, and follow a structure. They're great for documenting every update — even small ones.
Example of a changelog:
Version 2.3.0 – April 5, 2025
- Added dark mode support
- Fixed issue with password reset emails not sending
- Improved dashboard loading speedThink of a changelog as your product’s historical record. It answers: “What changed?”
You can take a look at the changelog for OpenAI or GitHub.
2. What are Release Notes?
Release notes explain new changes in a way that’s easier to understand. They’re usually more friendly, sometimes even fun. The audience is broader — from end-users to stakeholders.
While changelogs are short and technical, release notes often add context. They might explain why something changed, how it affects the user, or what to try next.
Example of release notes:
We just released version 2.3! 🎉
You asked for it, and we delivered: Dark Mode is here!
Also, resetting your password should now work like a charm. And the dashboard? It’s now much faster to load. Enjoy!
Think of release notes as a way to communicate updates clearly and with personality. They answer: “What’s new, and why should I care?”
The Notion's release notes page is a good example of release notes.
3. What are Product Updates?
Product updates is the broadest term of the three. It can include release notes, changelogs, blog posts, announcements, or even marketing emails.
A product update can be anything you publish to tell users that something has improved, changed, or been added to your product.
Example of a product update:
[New Feature] Dark Mode 🌙
We know many of you prefer working in low light. That's why we’ve added Dark Mode to make your experience smoother.
To enable it, go to Settings → Appearance → Dark Mode.
Want to share feedback? Let us know what you think!
Think of product updates as news about your product, shared in a way that fits your audience — short post, blog, email, popup, etc.
Airbnb's Newsroom is a good example of product updates.
TL;DR – Quick Comparison
| Term | Purpose | Audience | Tone | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changelog | Log of technical changes | Developers, Power users | Dry, technical | Bullet list or plain text |
| Release Notes | Friendly summary of updates | General users | Friendly, helpful | Short post or card |
| Product Updates | Broad communication about changes | Everyone | Flexible | Blog post, popup, email |
In LastRelease we use a release notes page to announce our product updates because we believe it's the best way to communicate with our users. However every company is different and you should choose the format that works best for you.
Final Thoughts
The lines between these terms can blur, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you communicate clearly and consistently with your users.
At LastRelease, we make it easy to create changelogs, publish release notes, and share product updates — all from one simple tool. You can even embed them in your app or share them on a custom-branded page.