CD80 and CD86 have the capacity to either stimulate or inhibit T cell responses through their receptors CD28 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4). Blockade of CD80 and CD86 in autoimmune disease settings has revealed distinct outcomes, yet the differential functions of CD80 and CD86 are still unclear. We have studied the ability of individual ligands to stimulate primary responses in human CD4⁺ T cells. Our data reveal both quantitative and qualitative differences between the ligands. Both CD80 and CD86 demonstrated the capacity to costimulate T cell proliferation. However, CD80 committed a greater number of T cells to divide with faster kinetics, consistent with it being a superior ligand for CD28. Once cell division had been initiated, all T cells undergoing cell division expressed CTLA‐4, irrespective of whether CD80 or CD86 costimulation was used. However, only in the presence of CD80 was evidence of CTLA‐4 engagement and inhibitory function observed. Finally, differences between CD80 and CD86 costimulation extended to the T cell phenotype, in particular the levels of CD40 ligand expression.