An exercise ball is a versatile and multi-purpose tool used in the gym. They provide an unstable surface to sit on or lay on instead of a weight bench in certain situations. An exercise ball cannot replace a weight bench, so to speak, so having both in your gym is ideal because of the unique qualities they each provide. Depending on your fitness level and the amount of weight you lift, however, an exercise ball can be used in place of a bench for many people.
Muscle Fiber Recruitment
Because of their unstable nature, exercise balls challenge your balance as you sit on them. Many deep abdominal muscle fibers are activated and recruited to keep the ball in place and counterbalance the weight as you lift it. This serves to improve your balance and ability to quickly adjust to uneven surfaces in day-to-day life and in sports performance. In contrast, a weight bench provides a solid, steady surface that supports you, but doesn't challenge your core muscles like a ball.
Power Production
The steadiness of a weight bench allows you to concentrate all your energy on lifting the weight, without being concerned about the bench moving or falling off of it. This translates into being able to lift more weight when using a bench versus a ball. A study done in 2008 led by S. Koshida and reported in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning demonstrated that weight lifters used "significantly less power production with unstable training compared to stable training." If pure strength is your goal, then the weight bench may be the better option for you.
Space and Price
As for space and price considerations, the ball takes up less room than a quality weight bench does. It's easier to move around or put away when not in use. Balls can be used as desk chairs or toys for the kids. Balls are much less expensive than weight benches, costing between $15 to $30, while a quality bench can cost a few hundred dollars. The bench will last longer than a ball, though, which can burst and need to be replaced.
Variety
Exercise balls come in different sizes, with the most common being 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm, based on your height. They come in many colors and types of material that range from being very squishy to very firm. The more firm the ball is, the more it will challenge your balance. The anti-burst variety provides safety and peace of mind that your ball won't suddenly burst when you're using it.
Versatility
The exercise ball has a few more uses than a bench. A bench is basically something to sit on or lay on, but can't be picked up and used by the hands or feet. For instance, an ab exercise called ball passes has you lying on the floor, holding the ball and passing it from your hands to your feet. You can't do that with a bench.
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