Hello aspirant,

Open and distance universities are quite similar but there is a significant difference between these corresponding courses. In the open learning module, aspirants are allowed to take admission in any courses without any age limit. In the meantime, distance learning is a form of open learning where aspirants can pursue a desired course without any classroom presence. Although both the form of universities, open and distance are very similar, but in open education, students get lab facilities and so they are preferred in professional field. The distance mode aspirants do not have any access to lab facilities, so they are less preffered in professional field.
Hope this helps,

All the Best!!