What is the difference between gta v story and online modes?

Grand Theft Auto V's story mode is a single-player campaign centered on the intertwined lives of three characters: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips. The narrative follows their involvement in criminal enterprises, heists, and personal conflicts set against the backdrop of Los Santos and surrounding areas. It was developed as a spiritual successor to earlier Rockstar titles like Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3, featuring a cinematic approach with voice acting, cutscenes, and a structured storyline spanning approximately 30 hours of gameplay. In contrast, GTA Online is a separate multiplayer mode introduced in 2013 via update. It allows players to create customizable avatars, form crews, and participate in a wide range of activities including free roam events, missions, races, and heists. Unlike story mode, Online operates in a persistent world that evolves over time with regular updates, seasonal events, and new content, but it does not follow a linear narrative. The two modes are fundamentally separate in structure, with story mode focusing on scripted storytelling and character development, while Online emphasizes player-driven interaction and ongoing content expansion.