What is the difference between the blockchain and cryptonote?

Blockchain is the protocol, CryptoNote is an application layer protocol that aims to solve the problems outlined in Bitcoin Core, the protocol behind Bitcoin

now cryptonote has different approach towards technology , like cryptonote focuses on anonymity, adaptive limits and simple proof of work where everyone is equally participating.

A blockchain is a type of database, while a cryptocurrency is an application that is a very good fit for that type of database.