RNA polymerase differs from DNA polymerase in a variety of ways. The RNA polymerase does not need to separate the two strands of DNA in order to synthesize an RNA copy, whereas DNA polymerase must unwind the double helix before it can replicate the DNA. DNA polymerase can initiate DNA synthesis, but RNA polymerase requires a primer to initiate RNA synthesis.The RNA polymerase uses RNA as a template, while DNA polymerase uses a DNA template. The RNA polymerase can synthesize using a single-stranded template, while DNA polymerase requires a double-stranded nucleic acid to begin synthesis. RNA polymerase binds to double-stranded DNA, while DNA polymerase binds to single-stranded DNA.RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase, the two types of enzymes that replicate DNA, have significant differences. DNA polymerase reads the DNA template in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes new strands in the 5' to 3' direction. In contrast, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes new strands in the 5' to 3' direction. RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase are both capable of synthesizing RNA and DNA, respectively.