As proper nouns the difference between vishnu and vaishnavism

is that vishnu is (hinduism) one of the trimurti (trinity) in hindu mythology, and the most popularly venerated god in hinduism vishnu is commonly depicted as being blue in colour and having four arms: with each hand holding either a lotus, a mace, a conch shell or chakra weapon vishnu is the supreme being or ultimate reality for vaishnavas and a manifestation of brahman in the advaita or smarta traditions of hinduism while vaishnavism is a branch of hinduism focusing on the worship of vishnu.