Sure, I can provide some special difference between them:

Purpose:

• Hexagonal: isolation of the core business logic from external component (framework, external technical, ...).
• Layer: Organizes the application into horizontal layers, each with specific responsibilities.

Dependency Direction:

• Hexagonal: Core application is at the center and independent of external systems. Adapters depend on the core through interfaces (ports).
• Layer: Dependency from higher to lower layers.

Flexibility:

• Hexagonal: easy swapping of adapters. Changes in external systems can be accommodated without modifying the core logic.
• Layer: it is also flexibility but changes may involve modifying multiple layers due to tighter coupling between layers.

Testability:

• Hexagonal: High testability, as the core application can be tested independently using mock or fake implementations of interfaces.
• Layer: Supports testability, but may have less isolation between components within the same layer, making unit testing more challenging.