Although they were sometimes in conflict with each other, the Ottoman and Safavid Empires did indeed share several notable characteristics. For starters, they were both Muslim empires where political leaders also held top religious positions. However, the Ottomans were Sunni and the Safavids were Shi'a, a major distinction that should be noted.

Both empires ruled over multi-ethnic communities. As expansionist empires, they each incorporated all sorts of ethnic groups. Each empire tolerated sizable populations of Christians and Jews. As "people of the book" they were permitted to worship their religion, but with certain restrictions that placed them in subservient positions to the overall Islamic culture and practices of the empires. Still, each religious minority was still permitted to elect their own local leaders and maintain local laws with the approval of the Islamic authorities. It should be noted, however, that there were periods of religious persecution against non-Shi'a in the Safavid empire.

Both empires were masters of commerce. They maintained extensive trade routes, especially along the Silk Road. With merchants maintaining commercial markets that linked East and South Asia with Europe, these empires grew prosperous. These cross-cultural ties also resulted in the diffusion of many diverse practices and led to an overall cosmopolitan nature of their cities.

The Ottomans and the Safavids each supported artistic pursuits. Each developed their own distinctive styles that stayed true to Islamic aesthetics. Calligraphy and intricate geometric design were popular art forms and motifs within these empires. Archectecual styles were also developed that reflected each culture but shared certain elements as well. Both the Safavids and the Ottomans were fond of building large domed and arched structures, particularly in mosques and palaces.

Education was highly valued in both empires. Numerous academies, universities, and libraries were founded by both the Safavids and the Ottomans. Both are responsible for advances in the fields of medicine, engineering, zoology, and mathematics. Their many cross-cultural contacts from their extensive trade networks helped fuel these educational pursuits.