While the presence of proteinuria serves as one of the earliest indices for the diagnosis of nephropathy among diabetic patients, data on the progression of the parameters between T1DM and T2DM has not been adequately reported. This study aimed to assess and compare urine proteins in T1DM and T2DM patients and their role in the development of nephropathy. A total of 150 subjects (T1DM: n = 50, T2DM: n = 100) of similar demographic characteristics were recruited. Mean urine protein levels were however significantly higher in T2DM than in T1DM (245 ± 30 mg/dl vs 112 ± 18 mg/dl; p < 0.001). eGFR levels were also considerably lower in the T2DM (72.3 ± 12.5 mL/min/1.73m²) subjects as opposed to T1DM (95.4 ± 10.1 mL/min/1.73m²) indicating advanced renal dysfunction than the latter (p < 0.001). There was a faster progression towards ESRD in T2DM at 10 ± 1.7 years vs. T1DM at 15 ± 2.5 years. This investigation offers considerable therapeutic ramifications for the differential progression of nephropathy in T1DM versus T2DM patients revealing the need for prompt treatment of T2DM patients. These findings add new facts regarding the differences in renal complications associated with diabetes leading to the urgent need for individualized therapy