They are delivered the same way and just as quickly, but they behave differently once they arrive.
A reload adds main balance
Credit lands in the general balance and can be spent on calls, texts, or data at standard rates. It shows up when you check your balance.
A data pack adds an allowance
The value goes into a separate data bucket with its own validity period, often 7 or 30 days depending on the pack. It will not appear in your main balance, which is why some customers think a data pack failed when it actually worked.
Checking a data pack
Use your carrier app or their data balance shortcode rather than the general balance check. Any unused allowance expires at the end of the validity period and does not roll over.
If you wanted general credit, choose a reload rather than a data pack. We cannot convert one into the other after delivery.