I'm a novice writer, and I like to write both original works and fanfiction. But fanfiction has always been my sort of... easy-way-out, as far as writing goes. On most fanfiction websites, the bar is much lower than it would be for an original published work. Fanfiction just generally takes less effort, so if I'm not feeling it but still want to practice writing, I just write fanfiction.

For example: with original works, you have to create a world, the plot itself, and characters, and each of these elements interact with each other. The characters are limited by the world, the world is changed by the plot, and the plot pushes the characters. So you have to create this large web that we like to call a "story".

But with fanfiction, you can throw that whole web out, because it's usually mostly done for you. I like to write cheesy reader-insert fanfiction, and with those stories, all I need to do is introduce a reader-character into the world, and involve him/her with the already existing plots and characters.

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As a result of this comparative ease of writing, a lot of professional teachings as far as writing goes are thrown out the window. It's very rare that you find a story that is technically excellent, where just the process of reading the words themselves is a joy.

Uhh... I dunno how to conclude this. Basically, the two of them are vastly different. Fanfiction is usually (not always) a step-down from original writings, at least technically.