What is difference between 3-layer architecture and MVC architecture?

In 3-layer architecture

  • 3-layer architecture separates the application into 3 components which consists of Presentation Layer Business Layer and Data Access Layer.

  • In 3-layer architecture, user interacts with the Presentation layer. 

  • 3-layer is a linear architecture.
In MVC
  • MVC architecture separates the application into three components which consists of Model, View and Controller.

  • In MVC architecture, user interacts with the controller with the help of view. MVC is a triangle architecture.

  • MVC does not replace 3-layer architecture. Typically 3-layer and MVC are used together and MVC acts as the Presentation layer.