Objective: To compare the in vitro osteogenic ability of brown adipose stem cells (BADSC) and white adipose stem cells (WADSC), and to provide evidence for further research and clinical application of adipose-derived stem cells. Methods: The brown fat under the scapula of SD rats and the white adipose tissue in the groin were isolated and obtained BADSC and WADSC. The morphology of the cells was observed by an inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell count was used to detect the proliferative ability. After osteogenic induction, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining were performed. The expression of the osteogenic marker gene [Runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin] was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Both BADSC and WADSC were osteogenic. The ALP activity of BADSC was significantly greater than that of WADSC at each time point after osteogenic induction. After 5 weeks of osteogenic induction, BADSC formed a larger area of calcium nodules (accumulated optical density was 92 558±1 507), which was significantly greater than WADSC (accumulated optical density was 52 319±1 786) (t=29.81, P<0.05). The expression of BADSC osteogenic marker genes (RUNX2 and osteocalcin) was significantly higher than that of WADSC (P<0.05). Conclusions Both BADSC and WADSC have the potential for osteogenic differentiation, but BADSC has better osteogenic differentiation ability than WADSC.