The source for all of them is the same which is Prastana Traya which includes Vedas and Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita. All of them consider these sources as the authority.
Shankaracharya’s is Jnana Marga (Path of Knowledge) and propounded Advaita (Nondualism). According to Advaita everything in this World is Brahman and the nameless, formless, Chit Shakti (Sentient Energy) powering each one us is called Atman and it is none other than Brahman.
Ramanujacharya’s is Sharanagathi Marga (Path of Surrender) and propounded Vishistadvaitha (Unique or Qualified Nondualism). It also agrees that everything in this World is Brahman (Lord Vishnu), but it still maintains that Jiva (living being) is separate from the Lord. Jivas are supposed to completely surrender oneself to Lord and worship him to attain Moksha (liberation) and such qualified souls merge with the Lord himself in Vaikunta (the abode of Lord Vishnu).
Madhvacharya’s is Bhakti Marga (Path of Devotion) and propounded Dvaita (Dualistic Philosophy). It says the Lord Vishnu is Paramatman (Supreme Soul) and is distinct from Jivatman (individual soul) though it admits similarities between them and calls it as Bimba-Pratibimba vada (Source-Reflection theory). That means Lord is the main source and we individuals are his reflection. That’s why there is a similarity but both are distinct or separate and could never become one. The Jiva is supposed to be completely devoted to the Lord and try to attain Moksha (liberation). Depending on the degree of devotion there exists a gradation of the Jivas or the qualities / purities of individual souls differ.
A single path may not be suited for all and probably because of which different paths might have emerged. I do not see much difference in these different Vedanta philosophies.
A droplet in the ocean says I am a tiny, puny droplet in front of the mighty ocean, I should be subservient to the ocean and worship it and I could never become the ocean. This is Dvaita.
A droplet that is in the air (because of the wind) says I am a tiny droplet different from the ocean and the goal is to surrender the Self to the ocean and fall into the ocean and merge and become one with the ocean. This is Vishishtadvaita.
A droplet due to ignorance might think that I am a tiny, puny droplet different from the ocean. But in reality the droplet is the ocean, not different from the ocean and ocean is nothing but filled with droplets everywhere. This is Advaita.
Thus I do not see much difference between them. The ultimate goal is to attain Self-Realisation.
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