What is the difference?
I find myself randomly using them

I wonder the same, I prefer to use UV Project as it gives me direct control over the projection in the viewport.

Just use what works - there are always a variety of ways to achieve the end result in Houdini.

Artye
Just use what works - there are always a variety of ways to achieve the end result in Houdini.

Yes of course!

Though in this particular case the nodes seem to both function and behave identically, which makes it seem like one of them is excessive and useless. Thus, the reason for the OT asking what exactly sets them apart and why both of them exists

There are quite a few differences between the two nodes.
uvtexture has quite a few texture types that you dont have in uvproject.
“Perspective from camera” is quite usefull sometimes, only in UV texture