A screw has a body with special ridges on it. The ridges fit into complementary holes that twist the nail into the framework. The ridges also act as support and do not give way thanks to interlinking ridges that prevent them from giving way. Nails on the other hand are smooth.
They are forced into a framework and can give way by sliding out if sufficient force is applied. They are less strong than screws. Screws are put in using screwdrivers whereas nails are forced in using hammers. The concept behind the screw allows even tiny screws to perform a big job.
There is a huge difference between a screw and a nail. A screw happens to have threads on the shaft that are I the form of spirals. The nail on the other hand, has a plain surface without any indentation or threading.
Hence, both have different purposes. The screw is used to hold two objects together whereas the nail is primarily used for fastening two pieces (usually of softer material such as wood and plastic) together. Apart from that, a screw is driven by the use of a screw driver whereas a nail is driven by the use of a hammer.