These two terms get used interchangeably a lot, but they mean very different things — and MatchaTide is built around using both together.
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria strains — like the three named strains in MatchaTide — introduced to support your gut microbiome directly.
Prebiotics, like chicory root inulin, aren't bacteria at all — they're fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria already there (or newly introduced), helping them grow and stay active.
Introducing probiotic strains without prebiotic fuel is a bit like bringing in new workers without giving them supplies. MatchaTide pairs both, so the probiotic strains have something to feed on once they arrive.