The difference between quartz stone and soapstone countertops?

About Quartz Countertops
Quartz is a natural mineral that gets turned into Engineered Quartz Slabs for Countertops. Quartz is one of the most popular countertop materials on the market, with its stellar durability, low maintenance, and a vast variety of colors and designs to choose from.
 
Durability
Quartz is one of the hardest and strongest minerals on Earth, only a few degrees behind Diamonds, which is the hardest mineral on Earth.  Quartz Countertops are your most durable option for New Stone Countertops. Scratch-Resistant, Chip Resistant, and Stain Resistant without ever having to Seal your Countertops.


Maintenance
As mentioned above, Quartz Countertops Never Need to be Sealed. That means you will never need to re-seal your Countertops, or really maintain your Quartz Countertops. Just wipe away gunk and grime with mild soap and water, no special cleaners needed ever! 


About Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone is a Natural Stone, quarried from the Earth most commonly in Brazil, America, and India.  Soapstone Countertops are made up of two Minerals,   Steatite and Talc. 
  Durability
Are Soapstone Countertops Durable? Yes and No.  Unlike most other Natural Stone Countertops like Granite, Marble or Quartzite, Soapstone Countertops are pretty stain resistant. As mentioned above, Soapstone Countertops are highly resistant to acid damage.  This means common household cleaning products and food items like vinegar, lemon juice, tomatoes, and such won’t damage the countertop.  However, with Soapstone Countertops you can expect them to scratch, as they are composed with Talc, and Talc is one of the softest minerals on Earth.  To combat this, you can use some sandpaper to smooth out the scratches, however you might experience a slight change in the finish of the Countertops.


Maintenance
A Big Question people ask is, Do Soapstone Countertops Need to be Sealed or Maintainanced? The answer is No, Soapstone Countertops Never need to be Sealed… Ever! However, that’s not to say that Soapstone Countertops are Maintenance Free, like Quartz.  Over time Soapstone Countertops do require Maintenance to keep the stone’s appearance looking amazing.  A big thing that Soapstone Countertop Owners do to maintain the stone is applying Mineral Oil to the surface, allowing it to sit, and then wiping away the excess.  This helps make the Soapstone shine, as well as hide any stains or light spots.
  Quartz vs Soapstone: Which is More Expensive?
Another Question that is Asked frequently when discussing Quartz vs Soapstone Countertops is: Are Soapstone Countertops Expensive? In short, yes. Because of the inherent stain resistance and need for minimal maintenance, Soapstone Countertops will run you more money than a traditional Granite Countertop.  When Comparing Quartz vs Soapstone Pricing, Soapstone is Comparable to Quartz Pricing.  You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 – $230 per square foot for New Soapstone Countertops.