I've always used a hand mixer, though I told my fiancé that the minute we can afford to we're getting a stand mixer (or we'll just put it on our wedding list haha). I don't really think there's a difference except for the convenience and the consistent speed of it, because all of the recipes that I've done that's ever called for a stand mixer I've used a hand mixer. They've all turned out well so I'm not worried in the least bit.