Camping tarps are more versatile, and you can use it for offering shade above a hammock. With stakes, they can themselves become the tarp tent and be used as a rain-cover for the things. Tents, on the other hand, come for just people to sleep in. However, tents get rain-fly, mesh-windows, and zippered entrances, unlike the lightweight tarps you use. Tents are attached to the hammocks if you want to stay off the grounds.