Objective By measure of the residual stress of Laser shock peening (LSP) and shot peening (SP) tests, the differences between LSP and SP in formation mechanism, depth layer and uniformity of residual stress were found out. Methods On one hand, finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the process of LSP and SP. The mechanical behaviors of TC4 under LSP and SP were compared. In addition, the formulation of residual stress was studied and the law of the residual stress was summarized. On the other hand, the residual stress of TC4 which had been treated with SP and LSP was measured using the 2-D X-ray method. Eventually, the result of experiment was compared with the result of simulation, and the effectiveness of FEM simulation was confirmed. Results The results showed that when both methods caused -500 MPa residual stress on the surface of TC4, the depth of compressed residual stress caused by LSP could reach 0. 6 mm, while the depth of compressed residual stress caused by SP was only 0. 15 mm. Conclusion Because the mechanism of causing plastic deformation was different, LSP could cause deeper compressed residual stress. Meanwhile, the distribution of residual stress caused by LSP was more uniform than that caused by SP when the fraction of coverage was 100% .