What's the difference between bail and bond when it comes to securing release from custody?

Bail is the amount of money set by the court to secure a defendant's release from custody, while a bond is a financial guarantee provided by a bail bondsman to secure the defendant's release. Bail is paid directly to the court and is refunded if the defendant appears for all court dates, while a bond requires a fee paid to the bail bondsman, who then assumes responsibility for the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear in court.