For a few software and web developers sounds the same. Because, after all, a website is also software that is accessed through a web browser.
But that’s different and very different, especially if you’re standing at the crossroads of tech careers, trying to decide between becoming a web developer or a software developer.
Second, if you’re a business owner and want to build a website for your business, you need to hire a web developer and not a software developer. And if you need custom software for internal use, you need to hire a software developer and not a web developer.
But don’t worry—you’re not alone in this confusion. The tech world is vast, and understanding the nuances between web and software development is key to making the right choice, whether for your career or your business.
Let’s end your confusion once and for all.
A Web developer crafts the digital experiences or platforms we interact with daily, such as websites, online stores, and web apps. If you’re reading this, it means you’re on a website created by a web developer. They use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build websites.
On the flip side, a software developer builds robust applications for desktops, mobile devices, or servers, using languages like Python, Java, or C++. It’s where complex problem-solving and intricate coding come into play.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between web developers and software developers, and explore their unique responsibilities, roles, skills, and salaries.
Web Developer Vs Software Developer (Definition Comparison)
If you’re confused between a web developer and a software developer, or web development and software development. Below, we have tried to end the confusion once and for all.
What is a Software Developer?
A software developer is an architect, builder, and mastermind behind the apps, programs, and systems that we use in our lives, and businesses integrate into their operations to make them smooth and efficient.
In simple terms, a software developer is a tech professional who designs, builds, tests, and maintains software applications. A software developer can build a wide range of software systems and applications, from mobile apps to complex systems that keep businesses running smoothly.
Just like builders use cement, concrete, bricks, and wood to build buildings, a software developer who is also a builder, but for software, uses raw ingredients such as coding languages like Python, Java, or C# to build software.
What is a web developer?
In easy words, a web developer is a certified tech professional who designs, creates, and maintains websites and web applications. They’re the ones who take a blank browser tab and turn it into a fully functional, visually appealing, and user-friendly website. Whether it’s the online store where you shop, the blog you read every morning, or the web app you use to stream your favorite shows, a web developer made it happen.
Remember, a web developer is also a software developer. Because, after all, the website or web app is also software that is accessed through a browser.
Just like the software developer, the web developer also uses a programming language to build websites. Keep in mind that web developer uses different languages to write code, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Web Developer Vs Software Developer (Skills Comparison)
If you’re aspiring to be a web developer or software developer, there’s a set of essential skills you need to master. Some skills are shared between both fields, while others are unique to each profession.
Software Developer Skills
- A software developer has to be familiar with programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, C++, and more.
- A professional software developer must have a solid understanding of sorting, searching, linked lists, trees, and graphs.
- Knowledge of MVC, Microservices, Monolithic, or Layered architecture to design scalable applications.
- Software developers have to do lots of work with data. So they must be well-versed with relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Cassandra) for handling large-scale data.
- Experience with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and containerization for scalable and efficient software deployment.
Web Developer Skills
- A web developer has to be well-versed in web development programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- A web developer should be aware of the techniques and practices that speed up the website loading speed, such as lazy loading, image compression, caching, and minification.
- A web developer should know how to test and debug the website using tools such as Chrome DevTools, Lighthouse, and browser console debugging.
- A website developer should be familiar with no-code website builders such as WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Webflow.
- Managing domains, hosting, and website deployment using Netlify, Vercel, cPanel, or traditional hosting services.
What Is The Difference Between A Software Developer And a Web Developer?
In this part of the blog, we have tried to explain what software and web developer do and how their responsibilities are different.
What does a software developer do?
- A software developer develops the software system and application by writing clean and efficient code. To write code, they use programming languages like Python, Java, C++, or others.
- A software developer creates software architecture and design according to their own understanding or the client’s brief.
- They run the software through a rigorous and comprehensive testing phase before launching the software. During this phase, they identify and fix bugs and errors.
- Software developers are responsible for making sure that the software they have built remains functional and relevant.
- Software developers collaborate with the designers, product managers, and other developers to plan and complete the project on time.
What does a web developer do?
- Web developers are responsible for creating engaging and user-friendly websites using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Before coding and adding features and functionality to the website. Their key duty is to design a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate, attractive website interface and layout.
- Web developer improves the speed of the website loading and makes sure it is responsive on any type of device it is been accessed.
- Web developers test the website before launching it. Testing the website to discover the bugs and errors that occurred during the development phase. After discovering the bugs, the web developer fixes them before launching it.
- Connect third-party tools such as payment gateways to the website.
Key Differences Between Web Developers Vs Software Developers
If you’re confused between a web developer and a software developer, this table will clear up all your doubts. In this Web Developer vs Software Developer comparison table, we have explained both fields from various perspectives.
| Web Developer | Software Developer | |
| Education | Computer Science, Web Development courses, associate degree | Bachelor’s in Computer Science (BSCS), Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering |
| Certification | Web development certificates from Udemy and Coursera | CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, RedHat, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, etc. |
| Programming
Languages |
HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, | Java, JavaScript, Python, C++ |
| Development Tools | Code Editors & IDEs, Version Control & Collaboration, Chrome Developer Tools. Chrome DevTools, Google Lighthouse | Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Xcode, GitHub, Build & Automation Tools, Databases, Cloud & DevOps Tools, API Development & Testing |
| Salary (US) | $81,493 | $105,660 |
| Monthly Salary (US) | $5,770 | $7,481 |
| Per hour salary (US) | $33.05 | $45.37 |
| Responsibilities | A web developer designs, develops, tests, and maintains websites and web apps such as ecommerce stores, single-page websites, and dynamic websites. | A software developer builds high-end business bespoke software systems used to automate and simplify complex business operations such as CRM, healthcare software, supply chain software, and more. |
| Types | Front-end developer, back-end developer, and full-stack developer. | Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, Full-Stack Developer, Mobile App Developer, DevOps Engineer, Game Developer |
In a Nutshell
A web developer is also a software developer because they design and develop websites, which are a type of software. However, software development is an umbrella term, and web development is a subset of it. Sometimes, a software developer can build a website, but a web developer may not necessarily have the skills to develop other types of software. From an earning perspective, software developers typically make more money than web developers. On the other hand, learning web development is much easier and less time-consuming.
Eleventh Tech is a web development agency empowering businesses and companies in Dubai, UAE, with next-generation websites. The websites built by our developers are visually appealing, encouraging users to stay engaged for longer periods. Additionally, we implement SEO best practices to help websites rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
FAQs
1. What is the difference between a software developer and a web developer?
A software developer is a tech professional who builds software systems and applications, such as mobile apps and enterprise-grade software for businesses and organizations. On the other hand, a web developer is an individual who designs, develops, tests, and maintains websites and web applications, such as e-commerce platforms and standard websites.
2. Which is better software developer or a web developer?
Both software and web developers excel in their respective domains and specialties. Both have their benefits and downsides. For example, software development is a complex field, and to become a software developer, you have to work really hard. But the salary of a software developer is much higher than a web developer.
3. Can a web developer be a software developer?
Yes, a web developer is also a software developer since a website or web application is essentially software accessed through a browser. However, professionals who create websites are typically referred to as web developers, as the term “software developer” can be somewhat broad and unclear regarding the type of software they specialize in.
4. Is web development easier than software?
Yes, web development is easier than software development. Firstly, it takes less time to earn a web development certificate than a software development certificate. Secondly, building software requires considerable time, resources, and effort due to the complex nature of the software itself. On the other hand, a website can be harder to build if it is a complex one, but still less complex than a simple software application.
5. Is web development a good career?
Yes, web development is a good career because the demand for web developers will continue to rise in the future. As more and more businesses move online, the need for skilled web developers will grow simultaneously.