Although it is sometimes considered that it is a deity and called Fukujin or Fuku no Kami in Shinto, and it is one of the Tenbu (group of Protectors of Buddhist Laws) and called Fukuden in Buddhism, there is no strict distinction.
神道では神で福神・福の神、仏教では天部で福天だと説明されることもあるが、常に区別があるわけではない。