Definitely not the same thing. Overall, this forum has decided that laser should be the LAST resort when it comes to acne scarring (meaning you have exhausted ALL other options.) This is because a number of TCA peels is safer than getting laser resurfacing (lasers can cause fat loss, orange-peel texture, extremely long healing times, very operator dependent, etc.) While peeling will take longer, it has far less side effects and over time will produce the same effects as laser. It is also FAR less expensive to do TCA peels.
Always work your way up in terms of invasiveness. Laser is by far the most intense, expensive, and risky procedure for acne scars. Worst yet, they have a very inconsistent track record of effectiveness and more often it seems like doctors recommend lasers so that they can recoup the cost of their machine. I would try peels before "graduating" to laser.