What is the difference between Managed and unmanaged network switch?

managed switch have a configuration interface eather in web or command line, an unmanaged switch doesn't have one.

Typical switch management features

• Turn particular port range on or off
• Link bandwidth and duplex settings
• Priority settings for ports
• IP management by IP clustering
• MAC filtering and other types of "port security" features which prevent MAC flooding
• Use of Spanning Tree Protocol
• SNMP monitoring of device and link health
• Port mirroring (also known as: port monitoring, spanning port, SPAN port, roving analysis port or link mode port)
• Link aggregation (also known as bonding, trunking or teaming) allows the use of multiple ports for the same connection achieving higher data transfer rates
• VLAN settings. Creating VLANs can serve security and performance goals by reducing the size of the broadcast domain
• 802.1X network access control
• IGMP snooping

you do not get these features with a normal switch (unmanaged)

Managed switches have configuration interfaces, while unmanaged switches do not. This means that a managed switch has an interface that can modify and manage its operation. An unmanaged switch works on a plug and play mechanism, because it has no  interface nor any options to modify its operation.

Unmanaged switches — These switches have no configuration interface or options. They are plug-and-play. They are typically the least expensive switches, found in home, SOHO, or small businesses. They can be desktop or rack mounted.

Managed switches — These switches have one or more ways, or interfaces, to modify the operation of the switch. Common management methods include: a serial console or Command Line Interface accessed via telnet or Secure Shell; an embedded Simple Network Management Protocol SNMP agent allowing management from a remote console or management station; a web interface for management from a web browser. Examples of configuration changes that one can do from a managed switch include: enable features such as Spanning Tree Protocol; set port speed; create or modify VLANs, etc.

According to me..

no need to complicate the topic.

simple answer is .

if you are able to assign Vlan on a switch then that is   a manageable switch .

otherwise it is an unmanageable  .