1. Language vs Framework: The first major difference between Groovy and Spring Boot is that Groovy is a programming language, while Spring Boot is a framework. Groovy is an object-oriented language that combines features from languages like Java, Python, and Ruby. It can be used to write standalone applications and scripts. On the other hand, Spring Boot is a framework that provides a convention-over-configuration approach for developing production-ready Java applications.

2. Syntax: Another important difference is the syntax used in Groovy and Spring Boot. Groovy uses a more compact and expressive syntax compared to Java, making it easier to write and read code. It has advanced features like closures, dynamic typing, and built-in support for DSLs (Domain-Specific Languages). In contrast, Spring Boot uses the same syntax as Java, which is more verbose and requires more boilerplate code.

3. Development Speed vs Scalability: Groovy is generally considered to be more suitable for rapid application development due to its concise syntax, dynamic typing, and productivity-enhancing features. It allows developers to write code quickly and focus on the business logic without worrying about complex configurations. On the other hand, Spring Boot emphasizes scalability and best practices for building enterprise-grade applications. It provides a robust and scalable framework that can handle large codebases and complex architectures.

4. Ecosystem and Community: Spring Boot has a larger ecosystem and community compared to Groovy. It is built on top of the Spring framework, which is one of the most widely used frameworks in the Java ecosystem. Spring Boot has a rich set of libraries, tools, and integrations available, making it easier to build and maintain enterprise applications. Groovy, although having a smaller ecosystem, still has an active community and various libraries that can be utilized.

5. Configuration: Groovy supports a wide range of configuration styles, including XML, JSON, properties files, and Groovy scripts. It provides flexible and powerful configuration options, allowing developers to choose the most suitable approach for their projects. On the other hand, Spring Boot promotes convention-over-configuration and uses properties files or YAML files for configuration. It follows a "just enough" philosophy, providing sensible defaults and reducing the need for explicit configuration.

6. Integration: Spring Boot is tightly integrated with the Spring ecosystem, which includes various modules for different aspects of application development, such as database access, security, messaging, and more. This seamless integration allows developers to easily leverage the capabilities of the Spring framework and build robust and scalable applications. In contrast, while Groovy can be used with Spring, it does not have the same level of integration and may require more effort to set up and configure.

In Summary, Groovy and Spring Boot differ in terms of their nature (language vs framework), syntax, development speed, ecosystem/community, configuration approaches, and integration with other libraries. While Groovy is more suitable for rapid application development with a compact syntax and flexible configurations, Spring Boot prioritizes scalability, best practices, and seamless integration with the Spring ecosystem.