In Java, sorting objects is a common requirement, and understanding the difference between Comparable and Comparator interfaces is essential for effective programming. The Comparable interface allows a class to define its natural ordering by implementing the compareTo() method, enabling objects of that class to be sorted without additional specifications. In contrast, the Comparator interface provides a way to define custom sorting logic externally, allowing for multiple sorting criteria without altering the original class. This flexibility makes Comparator particularly useful when dealing with classes that do not implement Comparable or when different sorting orders are needed.