A comparison of the differential cross sections for the processes Z/γ * + jets and photon (γ)+jets is presented. The measurements are based on data collected with the CMS detector at $$ \sqrt{s}=8 $$ TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb−1. The differential cross sections and their ratios are presented as functions of p T. The measurements are also shown as functions of the jet multiplicity. Differential cross sections are obtained as functions of the ratio of the Z/γ * p T to the sum of all jet transverse momenta and of the ratio of the Z/γ * p T to the leading jet transverse momentum. The data are corrected for detector effects and are compared to simulations based on several QCD calculations.