Neither are night terrors or nightmares are pleasant experiences, though both have different effects on the sleeper and those around them.
Individuals who have night terrors won’t remember it happening. Instead, those around the sleeper—a partner or family member—may see the sleeper sit up, cry out, or thrash about. It can be stress-inducing for your loved ones, but ultimately, the episode will end and you both can sleep soundly.
Contrarily, individuals who have nightmares will likely remember them in detail. Nightmares are stress-inducing and sleepers may wake up suddenly, feeling distressed and unable to go back to sleep. In most cases, however, people who suffer from nightmares can go back to sleep.