Short answer: IPv6 PI is registered to an eligible End User under RIPE NCC policy; an IPv6 lease provides contractual use of a resource held by another party. Compare holder responsibilities, routing, costs and exit plans.
Network resources guide
IPv6 PI vs IPv6 lease: how to choose
IPv6 PI
Provider Independent IPv6 resources are assigned to an eligible End User subject to RIPE NCC policy and a sponsoring-LIR or applicable direct registry relationship.
IPv6 lease
The address holder remains the lessor. The customer receives a contractual right to use an agreed prefix subject to the lease terms, origin ASN arrangement, ROA and route6 coordination.
What should you compare?
Compare the registered holder, prefix size, annual or monthly costs, routing responsibility, reverse DNS, exit process and renewal terms. Neither option guarantees global route propagation.
For small operator decisions, see ASN and PI addressing requirements and RIPE sponsoring LIR responsibilities.
Read the related Elisteka service and the current RIPE NCC policy resources.