Basically there is little difference.
Probation is given by a judge instead of of a jail sentence, but a violation can result in the original sentence,.
Example;
The judge will set , say, 3 yrs in state prison, but then SUSPEND the sentence and give probation and if probation is violated, the original 3 yrs can be imposed.

Parole is different only in that it is the DOC grants it.
If a violation occurs, the parolee is sent back to finish the original sentence. and any other charge that violation incurs.
Generally, the rules for probation and parole are the same.

Hope this helps.

These two have always confused me as well, my bf was on probation first and now is on parole. It seemed like parole was almost stricter then probation, but that might be my imagination.

i don't get that either steph where me and coastie live it's either 3 years probation or 5 years parole plain and simple this whole messs your bf is in doesn't make sense why would he be on probation then they turn around and have him on parole it's one or the other

He never had to do jail time, so he got probation and then once he got done with probation he was put on parole. But he is on that 10 year special sentence that Iowa has, not sure if other states have that kind of sentence or not. So maybe that has something to do with it?