Anabaptists emphasized adult baptism, simple living, separation from state power, and strong religious community life. They are related historically, but they differ a lot in lifestyle, technology use, and community structure.

Shared background

All three groups trace their origins to the Radical Reformation alongside groups like the Mennonite Church and the Amish. Common themes include:

• Adult baptism (rather than infant baptism)
• Pacifism / nonviolence
• Strong community values
• Conservative Christian beliefs
• Emphasis on humility and modesty

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Hutterites

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The Hutterites are probably the most communal of the three.

Key characteristics

• Live in large rural colonies, mainly in:
  • Canada
  • the northern United States
• Hold property in common (shared ownership)
• Highly organized communal economy
• Typically use modern farming technology
• Speak a German dialect called Hutterisch

Lifestyle

Hutterite colonies can include 60–150 people living and working together. Meals are often communal, and the colony operates collectively.

Unlike the Amish, many Hutterites are comfortable using:

• tractors
• computers
• industrial farming equipment

—but technology is usually adopted only if it benefits the colony without threatening religious life.

Appearance

Women often wear long dresses and head coverings; men dress plainly. Clothing style varies by colony branch.

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Old Order Mennonites

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The Old Order Mennonites are conservative Mennonite groups that try to preserve older ways of life.

Key characteristics

• More traditional and separatist than mainstream Mennonites
• Often reject or limit:
  • cars
  • electricity
  • television
  • internet
• Many use horse-drawn transportation

Some groups are very similar to the Amish, while others are less strict.

Old Colony Mennonites

The Old Colony Mennonites are a specific branch with roots in:

• the former Russian Empire
• migration through Ukraine
• later settlement in:
  • Mexico
  • Bolivia
  • Paraguay
  • Canada

Many speak Plautdietsch, a Low German dialect.

Lifestyle differences

Compared with Hutterites:

• families usually own property individually
• communities are less economically communal
• technology restrictions are often stricter

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Bruderhof

The Bruderhof are a newer communal Christian movement founded in Germany in 1920 by Eberhard Arnold.

Key characteristics

• Full communal ownership of goods
• Strong emphasis on:
  • simplicity
  • pacifism
  • family life
  • shared work
• Modern education and outreach
• More outward-facing than many Old Order groups

Lifestyle

Bruderhof members:

• often dress simply, but not as uniformly as Hutterites
• use modern technology selectively
• run businesses collectively
• live in intentional communities in:
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Australia

The Bruderhof have historical ties to the Hutterites and were influenced by them, though they are distinct groups.

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Quick comparison

Group	Communal property	Technology	Dress/style	Main locations
Hutterites	Yes	Moderate–high	Traditional	Canada & northern US
Old Order / Old Colony Mennonites	Usually no	Low	Very traditional	Americas
Bruderhof	Yes	Moderate	Simple but less uniform	US, UK, Germany, Australia

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How they differ from the Amish

People often confuse these groups with the Amish, but there are differences:

• Hutterites and Bruderhof are strongly communal economically.
• Mennonites are more diverse — some are highly modern, others very traditional.
• Amish generally avoid many modern technologies more consistently than Hutterites or Bruderhof.

All are part of the broader Anabaptist tradition, but each developed its own practices and culture over centuries.