Why is ionic bonding stronger than covalent?

The strength of a single covalent bond requires more energy to break than a single ionic bond. However ionic bonds form crystal networks where a positive ion can be held in place by as many as six negative charges. This makes the ionic bonding stronger.

The melting point of an ionic compound will be greater than the melting point of a covalent compound. Sugar will melt much more easily than say salt ( Sodium Chloride.) However the covalent bonds in sugar contain more energy than the bonds in salt. Drop powered sugar on a hot plate and it will burst into flame as it hits the hot plate.

The ionic bonds in salt are easily broken in a water solution showing the weakness of a single ionic bond. Where the covalent bonds being stronger are not separated in solution.

Because ionic bonding involves the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions (formed by the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another), it is stronger than covalent bonding because it usually involves shared electron pairs.