Introduction: Cervical degenerative disc disease is a highly prevalent pathology in the general population, which can cause disability and high costs for the health system. Among the surgical modalities for treatment, cervical arthrodesis and cervical arthroplasty stand out. Objective: To compare the performance of surgical modalities of cervical arthrodesis and cervical arthroplasty in patients with degenerative cervical disc disease regarding quality of life and functional capacity. Methodology: Retrospective observation study, data analysis of information collected from medical records of patients undergoing arthrodesis and cervical arthroplasty, followed on an outpatient basis from 2015 to 2020. Functional capacity was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and quality of life using the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) in the pre-and postoperative periods (06 months, 01 year, 02 years, 03 years, 04 years, and 05 years). Statistical significance was established with values of p≤0,05. Results: 122 patients were evaluated (56 in the arthrodesis group and 66 in the arthroplasty group). After the surgical interventions, individuals migrated from severe disability (50.8% / 54.3%) to minimal disability (15.3% / 9.0%). There was a decline in the ODI scores over the follow-up time (p≤0.001) as well as in the SF-36 values (p≤0.001) for both surgical techniques. Evaluating the difference in means revealed better performance of cervical arthroplasty (p≤0.001). Conclusion: Considering the findings for functional capacity and quality of life, cervical arthroplasty performed better as a surgical technique for the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease. Level of Evidence IV; Retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive and observational study.