They both are fast acting bentos for panic attacks. Very short lived, the Xanax May have more of a punch to it and addictive qualities by effects, Ativan just is less euphoric then Xanax IMO, they say 1mg Ativan is = 0.5mg Xanax. But whether it is or not, 1mg just relaxes ur body so much, the Ativan. Xanax, mentally relaxes u more I'd say