The advantages :
- The silence of operation : combustion is continuous outside of the cylinders. In addition, its design is such as the engine is easy to balance and generates few vibrations.
- The high efficiency : it is function of the temperatures of the hot and cold sources
- The multitude of possible “hot sources” : combustion of various gases, wood, sawdust, waste, solar or geothermic energy...
- The ecological aptitude: to respond to the environmental requirements on air pollution. It is easier to achieve a complete combustion in this type of engine.
- Reliability and easy maintenance:  the technological simplicity makes it possible to have engines with a very great reliability and requiring little maintenance.
- The very diverse uses because of its autonomy and adaptability to the needs and the different kinds of hot sources .

The disadvantages :
- The price : its cost is probably the most important problem, it is not yet competitive with other means of power.
 The ignorance of this type of engine by the general public. Only a few fans know it exists. It is therefore necessary to promote it. 
- The variety of models prevents standardization and, consequently, lower prices.
- The problems of sealing are difficult to solve as soon as one wishes to have high pressures of operation. The choice of “ideal” gas would be hydrogen for its lightness and its capacity to absorb the calories, but its ability to diffuse through materials is a great disadvantage.
- Heat transfers with a gas are delicate and often require bulky apparatuses.
- The lack of flexibility : the fast and effective variations of power are difficult to obtain with a Stirling engine.