This article lists different types of pump and provides a comparison of certain key design features.
Different types of pumps are suitable for different applications, for example: a pump's maximum lift height also determines the applications it can be used for.
Low-lift pumps are only suitable for the pumping of surface water (e.g., irrigation, drainage of lands, ...), while high-lift pumps allow deep water pumping (e.g., potable water pumping from wells).
[1] (with collector) Note: reciprocating pumps are cyclic, rotary pumps are typically continuous.