What is the difference between update() and save() in Eloquent?

Both persist model data but work differently. save() is an instance method — call it on a model object to either INSERT (if new) or UPDATE (if the model has a primary key). It fires creating/created events for new models and updating/updated events for existing ones. $user = User::find(1); $user->name = "Alice"; $user->save(). update() is a mass-update method that can be called on a query builder or a model instance: User::where("active", false)->update(["banned" => true]) — updates all matching rows with a single SQL UPDATE. On an instance: $user->update(["name" => "Alice"]) is a shortcut for fill+save. Key difference: query builder update() does NOT fire Eloquent model events or run model observers — it goes directly to the database. Use save() when you need events and observers to fire; use query builder update() for bulk updates.