Objective: Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) is a recent nomenclature that being used to emphasize on benign nature of the non-invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). Our study aimed to compare the preoperative characteristics of NIFTP with the invasive FVPTC. Materials and methods: This retrospective study identified 124 patients during the year 2016–2020 who were diagnosed with NIFTP or FVPTC. Clinical characteristics and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 35 NIFTP (28.23%) and 89 FVPTC (71.77%) patients were identified. The FNAC diagnosis of Bethesda category V or VI was present in 20 (22.47%) patients with FVPTC compared to 4 (11.43%) patients with NIFTP (not statistically significant). Patients with NIFTP more frequently underwent hemithyroidectomy compared to FVPTC (77.14% vs 51.69%: p-value = 0.01). Patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy were found to be younger compared to total thyroidectomy (33.98 ± 11.79 vs 41.07 ± 13.24: p-value = 0.02). Fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of Bethesda category V or VI was present in 17 (33.33%) patients with total thyroidectomy vs 7 (9.59%) with hemithyroidectomy (p-value = 0.001). Patients with hemithyroidectomy were more frequently diagnosed with NIFTP vs total thyroidectomy (36.99% vs 15.69%, p-value = 0.01). Conclusion: Hemithyroidectomy was performed more frequently in younger patients and less frequently in Bethesda category V or VI cytology. Patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy were more frequently diagnosed as NIFTP vs total thyroidectomy.