PCR vs. vector coloning

PCR and vector cloning are two different kinds of biotechnology. The goal of vector cloning is to produce a protein product, whereas the goal for PCR is to prepare many copies of the gene itself.
Advantages of vector cloning & disadvantages of PCR:

• The cost is relatively lower than that of PCR. PCR needs polymerase, primers, machines, and a large amount of nucleotides, which are fairly expensive.
• For PCR, if the sample DNA is contaminated, or if there is a mutation happened in the process of producing copies, all of the copies will be useless.

Advantages of PCR & advantages of vector cloning:

•  needs less work, time and skills. Typically, gene cloning experiments take 2-4 days, while PCR takes up to 4-5 hours.
• PCR can be fully automated, while gene cloning is not.