Skip to content
WoW Class PickerFind Your Main
Priest: Priestess with braided hair in white and gold armorMonk: Pandaren monk with a straw hat

Priest vs. Monk

First class

Priest

Second class

Monk

Key differences

  • Only the Monk can tank.
  • The Priest fights at range.
  • The Monk fights in melee.
  • The Priest wears cloth, the Monk leather.
  • The Priest is more beginner friendly.
  • The Monk does better solo.
  • More races can play the Priest (26 instead of 25).

At a glance

At a glancePriestMonk
RolesHealer, DPSTank, Healer, DPS
ArmorClothLeather
Combat styleRangedMelee
Playable races2625
SpecializationsDiscipline (Healer), Holy (Healer), Shadow (DPS)Brewmaster (Tank), Mistweaver (Healer), Windwalker (DPS)
Beginner friendly3/52/5
Solo play2/54/5

These ratings help you pick a class. They are not a DPS ranking, and balance shifts with every patch. How we rate ›

The classes in short

Priest

The Priest is the classic healing class with two healing specs (Discipline, Holy) and Shadow as a ranged damage spec. In cloth it is strong in groups but vulnerable solo.

Learn more about the Priest ›

Monk

The Monk is a highly mobile martial artist in leather that can play all three roles: Brewmaster tanks, Mistweaver heals, Windwalker deals melee damage. Its mechanics suit players with some experience.

Learn more about the Monk ›
⚔ Let them fight in the arenaClass Quiz

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Priest or Monk?

Neither class is better in general. The Priest is more beginner friendly. The Monk does better solo. In the end, what matters is which playstyle you enjoy more.

What is the difference between Priest and Monk?

Only the Monk can tank. The Priest fights at range. The Monk fights in melee. The Priest wears cloth, the Monk leather.

Popular comparisons

All comparisons (78)