Difference in Exercises

Okay, my question was kind of buried in another thread so I thought I would just ask in a seperate one.

I keep hearing about people talking about split squats but when I looked at them, they look just like a lung except you aren't switching legs. Is there something I'm missing?

TIA

split squats start with your feet apart and they stay apart, lunges start and end with your feet together.

Do they really work differently then?

Not extremely differently, but lunges are more challenging due to the dynamic component. Works your balance more, and the lunge involves more ground force so it has a little more transfer to things like running or jumping sports.

On the other hand, you can do bulgarian split squats (with the rear foot elevated) and that's going to be more challenging to both muscles and balance, and provide even more of a hip flexor stretch.

 The bodyweight progression usually goes split squat->reverse lunge->lunge->bulgarian split squat-single leg squat though each of those have uses beyond being steps on the way to a more strenuous bodyweight exercise if you add dumbbells or barbells to them ;)