The main difference between a heterotroph and an autotroph is that Select one: An autotroph makes its own energy and a heterotroph gets its energy from eating other organisms. An autotroph eats food find it finds itself, whereas a heterotroph eats food found by other organisms. A heterotroph eats food it finds itself, whereas an autotroph eats food found by other organisms. A heterotroph makes its own energy and an autotroph gets its energy from eating other organisms.