Both ABS and PLA are thermoplastics. Thermoplastics become malleable when overheated, allowing you to mold them into different shapes before cooling. 3D printing uses PLA and ABS filament through similar processes, but they differ in that some printers only use ABS or PLA.
Unlike inkjet and laser printers that use ink cartridges and toner cartridges to dispense a print medium. 3D printers use thermoplastics that are dispensed from a spool through a heated nozzle to form a 3D printed object. This plastic is called a filament.
ABS filament
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS, is an oil-based plastic. Used to build things like car parts, musical instruments, and Lego building blocks, it is a strong and resistant material. With a high melting point, ABS filament can warp if allowed to cool during printing. Therefore, ABS prints must be done on a heated surface, something that many home printers do not have. ABS also emits vapors when in use and requires adequate ventilation.
Examples of 3D printers that use ABS filament are the Colido 2 0 High Resolution FDM 3D Printer and the Ultimaker 2 Go High Resolution FFF 3D Printer, both printers can use ABS and PLA filament.
PLA filament
Made from organic material, corn starch and sugar cane, polylactic acid, PLA, is easier and safer to use than ABS. PLA gives a smoother, shinier appearance that is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it also has a slightly sweet odor when heated as opposed to the harsh odor often associated with ABS. But while PLA filament may seem like a better overall option at first glance, it has a much lower melting point than ABS. Printed parts made from PLA that are designed for use in mechanical operations, or parts that are stored at high temperatures can warp, crack, or even melt. Although weaker than ABS, PLA can achieve a higher level of print detail and is less prone to errors during printing.
Examples of 3D printers that use PLA filament are the Colido Compact 3D Printer high-resolution FDM 3D printer and the Da Vinci 1 1 Plus 3D Printer Wi-Fi standalone 3D printer that both use ABS and PLA filament.
To sum up
ABS filament will give your printed objects better structural integrity and will be more suitable for mechanical use, but it also requires specific types of printers and printing surfaces, such as a heated bed.
PLA filament gives you more accurate prints with better aesthetic quality, as well as more flexibility with printing conditions. Simply put, PLA is for hobbyist 3D printers, while ABS filament is better suited for commercial-grade products that must withstand more rigorous wear and tear.