The main difference between the Internet and commercial online services is that no single perosn or company owns the Internet, so there is nobody in charge of the content. Since nobody owns the Internet, you don't have to pay anybody to use it. You do, however, have to pay to connect to it. They provide the link between your computer and the rest of the Internet. An ISP, however, has absolutely no control over the content of the Internet.
Companies own and operate the commercial services.
They work to create content, monitor activity, and provide services that users can't find on the Internet. Online services can keep out sites subscribers might find displeasing. Accessing the Internet through an ISP is usually cheaper, but a much more raw environment than online services. An online company provides specialty content and services, as well as the guarantee of a more orderly, and purified, online universe. A fully connected machine lets you experience all the vibrant graphics, animation, sounds, and video available on the World Wide Web.