They look similar and they are not interchangeable.
Verdict
The drill first, because it does both jobs badly enough and the impact driver does not drill. A drill has a keyless chuck that takes round drill bits and it can drive screws. An impact driver takes hex shank bits only, delivers rotational hammering that sinks long screws effortlessly, and cannot hold a standard twist drill without adapters. Combo kits exist precisely because the answer is both, and they are usually barely more than one tool alone.
Under $100
Check BLACK+DECKER 20V Drill Driver Kit Price| BLACK+DECKER 20V Drill Driver Kit | DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Drills holes | Yes | Not without adapters |
| Drives long screws | Slowly, and it strains | Effortlessly |
| Chuck | Keyless, takes round bits | 1/4 inch hex only |
| Noise | Moderate | Loud |
| Control on delicate work | Better | Poor, easy to overdrive |
| Best single first purchase | Yes | No |
You own nothing and need one tool. A drill drills, and it drives screws well enough for assembly, hanging and light framing work, especially with a clutch set sensibly. Its limit shows on long screws into hardwood, where it stalls, twists your wrist and cams out of the screw head.
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You are driving a lot of screws: decking, framing, subfloor, fencing. An impact driver sinks a long screw with no effort and no wrist strain, and it is far less likely to cam out and chew a screw head. It is also loud, and it will happily overdrive a screw straight through drywall or snap a small fastener, so it is the wrong tool for delicate work.
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Usually yes. A drill and impact driver combo sharing batteries and a charger typically costs little more than the two bought separately, and battery platform lock-in is real, so choosing a system you will stay with matters more than the individual tools.
A hammer drill adds a percussive action for masonry, which a standard drill struggles with. If you are anchoring into brick or concrete regularly it is worth having. For wood and drywall it changes nothing.
If you are working in customers' homes, yes, and depending on where you are and what you do, licensing may also apply. Electrical, plumbing and structural work is licensed in most places and doing it unlicensed is a serious matter rather than a technicality. Check your local rules before advertising a service.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.