How do players progress in gta online compared to story mode?

The evidence confirms GTA Online is an online multiplayer extension of Grand Theft Auto V, allowing up to 30 players to explore San Andreas and engage in cooperative or competitive modes. However, the source does not describe how players progress in either GTA Online or story mode, such as mission structures, leveling systems, or narrative pacing. Without explicit details on progression mechanics in the provided text, any comparison would require assumptions beyond the verified evidence. The evidence focuses on release dates, platforms, and basic gameplay features like open-world exploration and character customization, but lacks specifics on how players advance or unlock content in either mode.