To investigate the differences and similarities in vortex and cavity characteristics between translational and rotational domain hydraulic machines, the NACA0009 hydrofoil and a self-designed impeller blade were selected as representative cases in the translational and rotational domains. STAR-CCM+ software was utilized to simulate the multiphase flow, and the experimental results of NACA0009 hydrofoil from EPFL were employed to validate the accuracy of the simulation. The following conclusions were drawn from the analysis of the simulation results: Firstly, both types of hydraulic machinery generate similar vortex types, including the tip leakage vortex (TLV), tip separation vortex (TSV), and secondary tip leakage vortex (S-TLV). However, each type also exhibits unique vortices, such as the perpendicular vortex (PV) in the translational domain and the trailing edge vortex (TEV) in the rotational domain. Secondly, the TLV is initially weak but continuously absorbs other vortices, thereby strengthening itself as it develops. Additionally, the blades in the rotational domain must achieve a higher speed to produce the same level of cavitation as those in the translational domain. Finally, the attached cavitation (AC) on the blade surface is repelled by the spin of the TLV, which cannot promote the generation of tip leakage vortex cavitation (TLVC). The primary source of TLVC is the tip separation vortex cavitation (TSVC). The strengths of cavitation and vortices differ between the rotational and translational domains, leading to varying effects on the equipment.