Cost

• Purchase prices for studded tires vary. However, even the cost of cheap studded tires is higher than that of tire chains. As a general guideline, tire chains cost 50 percent less than studded tires. You can have your winter tires studded if the tires accept studs to reduce the cost of studded tires.
  
  

Installation

• You will need to install tire chains every time you need them since you must remove them for safety reasons before driving on dry ground. You install studded tires at the beginning of winter and take them off at the end of the season.
  
  

Wear

• Because you only use them when necessary, chains endure only limited wear and will often last the life of your car. You drive on studded tires regardless of weather conditions, resulting in constant wear. As the studs wear down, they become less effective, until, at approximately 0.6 millimeters, they become ineffective
  
  

Uses

• Studded tires are best suited for use on ice and in minimal amounts of snow. In deeper snow and for winter off-road driving conditions, tire chains offer the best traction assistance.
  
  

Warning

• You must use tire chains designed to fit your specific tire size, and studded tires are not legal in all states.