Warning: contains major spoilers for Alien #6!
The dynamics of Alien series reiterates the biggest difference between the two. Alien #6 doesn't just point out that xenomorphs are fierce parents following natural instincts it also reminds fans why they should fear predators more than xenomorphs.
While both alien species were first introduced in films that have been featured in sequels and crossovers, they also have a lengthy comic history spanning several decades. The majority of these stories tend to revolve around the interactions of either (or both) with humans, or with human errors involving them. Xenomorphs and predators are scary in their own way, but one is definitely more antagonistic than the other.
With the creative team of Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Salvador Larroca, Guru Efx, and VC Clayton Cowles, Alien #6 reveals why xenomorphs actually terrorize humans. When Iris talks to Gabe, she mentions the "woman in the dark" and the way that man seeks out the fire of Prometheus. This search then turns into weaponization, experimentation, and hybridization. However, this is a futile cycle that is intended to end in death - or even extinction. While they're horrifying, xenomorphs don't seek humans - humans seek them.
Contrarily, Xenomorphs do not seek out humans and they don't have tactical strategies designed to toy with or kill their prey. They also don't take trophies. Their prey is used for reproductive purposes and for food, which are the base functions of all living things.
Despite the distinct differences in operation, the films have portrayed both in ways that contradict the actual horror and behavior of each. Predators are shown in a heroic way when they're pitted against xenomorphs and are visually easier to sympathize with since they are humanoid. Yautja are shown to operate with a big-game hunter code, which almost makes them look honorable. However, predators are truly invasive species that seek to hurt - and kill - other species for entertainment. They plant xenomorphs on foreign planets to create hunting grounds to revisit, to the detriment of any possible inhabitants. They travel across the galaxy purely for these purposes - not even for survival or food. Predators are far more sentient than xenomorphs. Humans bring xenomorphs upon themselves, not predators. While these hunters are worse, both are fearsome and Marvel's Alien doesn't lessen how horrifying xenomorphs can be - even if they behave in a more natural fashion.
