Bail is the dollar amount set by a judge after someone is charged with a crime. If that person pays the bail amount they are free to leave the jail. The money is returned to them when they return to their scheduled court date. A bond is issued by a private company when a person cannot afford the full bail amount. The money is still returned to the person when they make their court date, but the bondsman keeps 10%. Tldr bail is the amount set by the judge, the bond is a loan.