Although rockers and gliders essentially do the same thing, they function a little differently. Traditional rocking chairs have two curved bands at the base, allowing for very obvious back-and-forth movement. Gliders, in the other hand, are on a fixed base so the movement is a more smooth gentle. The fixed base also allows you to swivel and, as the name suggests, glide.
Gliders tend to take up less space and, because of their design, can be easily repurposed in other rooms. That said, many nursery rockers allow you to change out the legs so you can use them in another part of your house
If you're still not sure which style you prefer, it’s helpful to visit a store to test out different models in person.