Binary Search Tree vs Ternary Search Tree Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report For effective searching, insertion, and deletion of items, two types of search trees are used: the binary search tree (BST) and the ternary search tree (TST). Although the two trees share a similar structure, they differ in some significant ways. Binary Search Tree Vs Ternary Search Tree FeatureBinary Search Tree (BST)Ternary Search Tree (TST)NodeHere, each node has at most two children. Here, each node has three childrenStructureThe left child is always smaller than the parent node, and the right child is always greater.The left child for values smaller than the node, a middle child for values equal to the node, and a right child for values greater than the node.SearchingThe search operation in a BST follows a binary search algorithm. It compares the target value with the current node and proceeds to the left or right child based on the comparison until the target is found or the tree is exhausted.The search operation in a TST is similar to a binary search but with three possible outcomes: less than the current node (go to the left child), equal to the current node (go to the middle child), or greater than the current node (go to the right child).String SearchingThey are not as efficient as TSTs due to the absence of a middle child TSTs are particularly useful for string searching operations. They allow efficient prefix searchesPerformanceThe performance of a BST depends on the balance of the tree. If the tree becomes unbalanced, it can lead to degenerate casesTSTs typically offer better worst-case time complexity compared to unbalanced BSTs. Both BSTs and TSTs are tree-based data structures that are used for searching, but they differ in the number of children that may be contained in each node, the search algorithms that can be employed, the space complexity, the ability to search strings, and the performance characteristics. TSTs can be more memory-efficient and are optimized for string-related operations, although BSTs are more adaptable and often utilized. The exact requirements and characteristics of the current challenge will determine which option is best. Application of Binary Search Tree: BSTs can be used to store and retrieve data quickly, such as in databases, where searching for a specific record can be done in logarithmic time.BSTs can be used as self-balancing data structures such as AVL tree and Red-black tree. BSTs can be used to implement graph algorithms, such as in minimum spanning tree algorithmsApplication of Ternary Search Tree:It can be used to implement the auto-complete feature efficiently.Can be used for spell checkers.Near neighbor searching. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) N nikhilgarg527 Follow Improve Article Tags : Tree Binary Search Tree DSA Practice Tags : Binary Search TreeTree Similar Reads Is ternary search faster than binary search? Binary search is a widely used algorithm for searching a sorted array. It works by repeatedly dividing the search space in half until the target element is found. Ternary search is a variation of binary search that divides the search space into three parts instead of two. This article explores the p 3 min read Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) Given a BST, the task is to search a node in this BST. For searching a value in BST, consider it as a sorted array. Now we can easily perform search operation in BST using Binary Search Algorithm. Input: Root of the below BST Output: TrueExplanation: 8 is present in the BST as right child of rootInp 7 min read Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) Given a BST, the task is to search a node in this BST. For searching a value in BST, consider it as a sorted array. Now we can easily perform search operation in BST using Binary Search Algorithm. Input: Root of the below BST Output: TrueExplanation: 8 is present in the BST as right child of rootInp 7 min read Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) Given a BST, the task is to search a node in this BST. For searching a value in BST, consider it as a sorted array. Now we can easily perform search operation in BST using Binary Search Algorithm. Input: Root of the below BST Output: TrueExplanation: 8 is present in the BST as right child of rootInp 7 min read Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) Given a BST, the task is to search a node in this BST. For searching a value in BST, consider it as a sorted array. Now we can easily perform search operation in BST using Binary Search Algorithm. Input: Root of the below BST Output: TrueExplanation: 8 is present in the BST as right child of rootInp 7 min read Searching in Binary Search Tree (BST) Given a BST, the task is to search a node in this BST. For searching a value in BST, consider it as a sorted array. Now we can easily perform search operation in BST using Binary Search Algorithm. Input: Root of the below BST Output: TrueExplanation: 8 is present in the BST as right child of rootInp 7 min read Like