A mortgage is a type of loan that specifically relates to buying a property, usually a house. It is a loan specifically designed for purchasing real estate, and the property itself serves as collateral. On the other hand, a loan is a more general term that refers to borrowing money for various purposes, such as buying a car, paying for education, or covering other expenses. Loans can be secured or unsecured, meaning they may or may not require collateral. So, while a mortgage is a type of loan, not all loans are mortgages.