Although both types provide DC power, the methods used to generate this power are different. Linear led driver ic is not like switching led driver circuit.
Linear power design increases or decreases the AC line voltage to the power transformer before it is applied to the voltage regulator circuit.Conventional linear power sources are usually heavy, durable, and low noise at low and high frequencies.
Depending on the application, the two led power supply types has its own advantage. Switching power supplies are now more widely used than linear power supplies.