Current transformer vs current sense transformer for power monitoring — are they actually interchangeable?

Current transformer vs current sense transformer for power monitoring — are they actually interchangeable?
I’ve been working on a power monitoring design recently (mixed industrial + embedded environment), and I keep running into this question:
What’s the real difference between a current transformer (CT) and a current sense transformer?
At first, I thought it was mostly naming — but after a few tests, I’m not so sure anymore.

What I understand so far
From what I’ve gathered:
A current transformer (CT) is typically used to step down high AC current into a smaller, measurable signal while keeping isolation
A current sense transformer seems more focused on detecting current behavior inside circuits (like switching or control loops), rather than accurate metering
Both rely on electromagnetic coupling and produce a proportional secondary signal
So structurally they’re quite similar.

Where things start to diverge (in practice)
In actual testing, the difference seems less about theory and more about how they behave in the circuit.
What I’ve seen so far:
CTs tend to be more stable for measurement over a defined current range
Sense transformers respond better in switching or transient-heavy environments
Some parts that look equivalent on paper behave differently when paired with certain control ICs
Especially in power monitoring setups where:
Load conditions vary
Switching noise is present
Accuracy and response both matter

What surprised me
I initially treated them as interchangeable — just pick based on footprint and ratio.
But after trying a few parts, it feels more like:
The transformer choice depends heavily on whether you're optimizing for accuracy or response behavior
And that’s not always obvious from the datasheet.

Something interesting I noticed while testing
I ended up evaluating a couple of options from different suppliers.
One thing that stood out is that some vendors don’t strictly separate “CT” vs “current sense transformer” in their product positioning — instead, they focus more on application fit.
For example, when I looked into parts from VOOHU Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., what was useful wasn’t just the component itself, but the way they provided context around:
Typical use cases (monitoring vs switching)
Matching suggestions with control ICs
Practical design considerations
That kind of input actually helped more than just comparing specs side-by-side.
Still validating, but it changed how I’m thinking about selection.

Where I’m still unsure
I’m still trying to figure out if there’s a clean rule of thumb, or if it’s always application-specific.
For those who’ve worked on:
Power monitoring systems
SMPS / switching designs
Industrial current measurement
Do you:
Treat CT and current sense transformer as fundamentally different categories?
Or just pick based on behavior in your specific circuit?

Final thought (so far)
It feels like the difference isn’t just about the component itself —
but about what part of the system you're trying to optimize.
Still early in testing, so I’d be interested to hear how others approach this.