Difference between Chordates and Non chordates (Chordates vs Non chordates)

Famous biologist E.O. Wilson as called the non chordates as little things which run the world. It is because of their number, variety and influence on the larger organisms and even entire ecosystem. Non chordates are those animals which lack a notochord. 

Non chordata, includes a number of phyla: Phylum Porifera, Phylum Coelenerata, Phylum Platyhelminthes, Phylum Aschelminthes, Phylum Annelida, Phylum Arthropoda, Phylum Mollusca and Phylum Echinodermata.

Chordates are a group of animals that includes the vertebrate, together with several closely related invertebrates. They are united by having, at some time in their life cycle, a notochord, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, an endostyle and a post anal tail.

Chordates vs Non chordates

Chordates	Non chordates
Chordates are characterized by the presence of notochord in adult or embryonic  state.	A notochord is always absent
The animals posses hollow nerve cord or central nervous system.	Nerve cord is usually solid and ventral.
Pharyngeal gill slits occur in the adult or embryonic state.	Gill slits do not occur in nonchordates.
The heart is ventral.	The heart, if present, is dorsal or lateral.
Hepatic portal system occurs in  most chordates.	A liver like structure and hence hepatic portal system do not differentiate in nonchordates.
Respiratory pigment or haemoglobin occurs in blood corpusles.	Blood corpuscles do not carry respiratory pigment.
Excretory organs are kidneys.	Excretion occurs with the help of organs other than kidneys
Post  anal tail  occurs either in the adult or embryonic state.	A tail is absent