Naruto has reigned supreme as one of the most popular anime and manga series of all time, with fans from many generations. Naruto: Shippuden came to an end in 2017 but the story has lived on in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. The sequel/spin-off series focuses more on Naruto Uzumaki's son, Boruto, as opposed to the original main character.
A common criticism of the series is that Boruto is just a clone of his dad. And it's true, there is an abundance of similarities between the two. Because Boruto looks nearly identical to his dad and because of his similar strong spirit, it's easy to miss the differences they have. With that being said, the differences are absolutely there and they are very important to the development of Boruto, especially as a character.
Boruto is Naturally Smart
Naruto was able to succeed because he tried so hard, but it didn't come naturally to him. This meant that he was very goofy while also a little bit distracted and aloof. Viewers saw him fall behind the rest of his classmates and fail sometimes because certain skills didn't come easily to him. Boruto doesn't have that same struggle.
Boruto is a very quick-witted character and picks up things he's learning very quickly. He's a good student, which his father was not, and thinks on his feet to use the skills he learns. Because these things come more naturally to him, he's a bit less of an underdog than his dad. This makes him a little harder to root for and is part of the reason some fans see him as a less likable main character.
Boruto Lacks Work Ethic
What Naruto lacks in intelligence, he makes up for with his work ethic. He was always an incredibly hard worker and earned everything that was given to him throughout the series. His son, on the other hand, hasn't had the same struggles. As a result of that, he doesn't have the same drive or work ethic as his dad.
Naruto was an orphan and a social pariah among his village, and his goofy nature meant he had to work harder for certain things. Boruto is the son of the Hokage and doesn't struggle to succeed as much. He's somewhat spoiled and lives a privileged life in many ways. This is a potential reason why is he the way he is and doesn't have the same work ethic as his father. At some points, he even turns to cheating and cutting corners which Naruto would never do. This is likely the biggest distinction between Naruto and Boruto, as Naruto's struggle and desire to overcome was a major part of the original series.
Boruto is Guarded
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Naruto was always deemed as a somewhat annoying main character, but still very endearing. This is in part because he is very open about his feelings at all times. He wears his heart on his sleeve and no one ever has to wonder how he feels about them. This especially goes for Sakura, the girl he likes for most of the series.
Despite inheriting a similar spirit to his dad, and getting into many similar adventures, Boruto carries himself differently than his father. He isn't as open or genuine with his feelings and keeps his guard up a considerable amount. This is especially the case when it comes to his relationship with his father, which is interesting. Since Naruto was named Hokage, he's very busy and is noticeably absent from his family. This bothers Boruto, something that the audience can clearly see, but he doesn't voice his desires for affection to Naruto. Boruto's desire for attention from his dad, and his struggle to voice this, are some of his more sympathetic qualities that stand out and really distinguish him from Naruto.