The technical difference between behentrimonium chloride and behentrimonium methosulfate (BTMS) is the nature of the anion which has little or no influence on the conditioning properties of the compounds.

The practical difference between behentrimonium chloride and behentrimonium methosulfate (BTMS) is that the latter is usually a semi-compounded product comprising a 50/50 mixture of the named material together with cetearyl alcohol and sometimes a glycol. For this reason, for most purposes, it can be considered that BTMS is half as effective as behentrimonium chloride.

BTMS as normally available (i.e the mixture) can be formulated into a simple conditioner by mixing with hot water and stirring whilst cooling.