No, they are completely different. Caramelised onions is the name given to onions that are sauteed in a pan, sometimes with butter and/or oil, just long enough to give them a brown, caramelised coating. They are soft and super tasty. Confit onion is made without colouring or caramelising the onions, cooking slowly and softly for a longer period of time in order to produce onions with a jam-like texture.