It's generally the same. What has historically driven the actual quals of freight vs pax pilots is the desire to fly pax (generally considered more prestigious) vs (lately) the better stability and financial fitness of the top cargo carriers. That said, it really all about the money (for most ) Night flying vs day; pax vs freight; all weighs into the reality of what (drives) some pilots to seek work from whom. But to (properly) answer your question , there is no FAR type difference. Both require a Commercial pilot certificate (for FO) and a airplane Mult ATP to fly Captain. Period.