How did unfree peasants different from free peasants?

Unfree peasants, often referred to as serfs, were bound to the land they worked on and could not leave without the landowner's permission, typically owing labor and various dues in exchange for protection and the right to work a plot of land. In contrast, free peasants had more autonomy, could move freely, and often owned or rented land without such obligations. This distinction significantly impacted their social status, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life in medieval society.