The main difference between these two frozen favorites are the ingredients: sorbet is dairy free, while traditional ice cream is made with dairy. While sorbet is dairy free, it is high in sugar, often more so than ice cream. On the other hand, ice cream is slightly higher in fat. Those who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy may opt for sorbet as an ice cream alternative, while those who want a (little) less sugar may opt for ice cream or gelato.