Comparative Analysis of Cheque, Demand Draft, Bills of Exchange, and Promissory Note

Bases of Difference	Cheque	Demand Draft	Bills of Exchange	Promissory Note
Meaning	Cheque is a written unconditional order directing a bank to pay the definite sum of money on demand or at the specified future date.	Demand draft is the negotiable instrument that is issued by bank to its clients directing another bank or one of its branches to pay certain sum of money the specific party.	Bills of Exchange is a written unconditional order by one party to another party to pay a specified sum of money, either immediately or at specified future date for the payment of goods and/or services received.	Promissory note is a written unconditional promise by one party to another party to pay a definite sum of money either on demand or at specified future date.
Stamp	It does not require stamping.	It does not require stamping.	It requires stamping.	It requires stamping.
Acceptance	It does not require acceptance.	It does not require acceptance.	It require acceptance.	It does not require acceptance.
Noted or Protested	If cheque is dishonored, it cannot be noted or protested.	­­­­­­–––	If bills of exchange is dishonored, it can be noted or protested.	–––
Crossing	Cheque can be crossed for safety.	No crossing is allowed.	No crossing is allowed.	No crossing is allowed.
Payable on	It is payable on bearer or to specified payee.	It is only payable to payee.	It is only payable to payee.	It is only payable to payee.
Grace Days	No provision of grace days.	3 days of grace.	No provision of grace days.	No provision of grace days.
Validity period	Cheque is valid for three months from the date of issuance.	It is valid till the date specified in the instrument.	It is valid till the date specified in the instrument.	It is valid till the date specified in the instrument.
Drawee	Bank acts as drawee.	Bank or person acts as drawee.	Bank or person acts as drawee.	Bank or person acts as drawee.
Parties Involved	Three parties involved: Drawer, Drawee, and Payee.	Two parties involved: Drawer, and Payee.	Three parties involved: Drawer, Drawee, and Payee.	Two parties involved: Drawer, and Payee.
Countermand	It is easy to countermand.	It is difficult to countermand.	It is easy to countermand.	It is difficult to countermand.
Application	It is applicable in normal course of life.	It is applicable when large amount of funds to be transferred.	It is applicable in international trade.	It is applicable in normal course of lending money to friend, family or any organization.
Statuary Requirement *	Transaction of Rs. 50000 or more must be mandatorily carried out in cheque.	No mandatory requirements	No mandatory requirements	No mandatory requirements
Dishonor	Cheque can be dishonored.	Demand Draft is never dishonored.	Bills of exchange can be dishonored.	Promissory note can be dishonored.
Debtor or Creditor	Debtor writes or issues cheque.	–––	Creditor writes bills of exchange.	Debtor writes promissory notes.
Drawer and Payee	Drawer and payee can be same person.	Drawer and payee can be same person.	Drawer and payee can be same person.	Drawer and payee cannot be same person.

Note:

* Only applicable in Nepal