The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of two ways of protecting civil rights listed in Article 12 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation: recognition of the right and recognition of the transaction as invalid. Despite the terminological similarity based on the concept of "recognition" contained in the name of the methods of protection, the author proves their fundamentally different legal nature and objectives. The recognition of a right is a classic claim for recognition aimed at confirming an existing right. In turn, the recognition of the transaction as invalid combines elements of claims for recognition, award (restitution) and transformation. The conclusions of the work substantiate the need for legislative consolidation of clear definitions of these methods of protection.