The Teutonic Knights and the Knights Templar were both military orders that emerged during the Middle Ages, but they are not the same.
The Knights Templar, founded in 1119, was established to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land and to defend Christian territories during the Crusades. They were known for their distinctive white mantles adorned with a red cross and quickly gained wealth and power, becoming one of the most recognized orders of the medieval period.
On the other hand, the Teutonic Knights originated in 1190 during the Siege of Acre, primarily as a German order to assist in the care of sick and injured pilgrims. While they also engaged in military campaigns, their primary focus shifted towards the Christianization and colonization of Eastern Europe, particularly in present-day Poland and the Baltic region.
In terms of governance, the two orders had different leadership structures and organizational goals. The Templars were more integrated within the framework of the Crusader states, while the Teutonic Knights operated somewhat independently, eventually forming a state of their own known as the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights.
Despite some similarities in their missions and the contexts in which they operated, the Teutonic Knights and the Knights Templar remained distinct entities with different origins, objectives, and histories.