Youâve likely heard the terms âfirmwareâ and âsoftwareâ thrown around â sometimes interchangeably. While thereâs a dramatic overlap between firmware and software in modern technology, there are still some differences between the two. Firmware is a type of low-level software often more closely linked to the functional hardware, while âsoftwareâ as a term generally refers to things you can interact with, like an operating system or application.Â
The difference between the two is much less relevant than it once was, but here are some ways to think about each.
Firmware originally described the low-level software necessary for hardware to work with software â the intermediary between the actual microprocessors and the operating system and software a user runs. Itâs a type of software that lives on hardware and contains specific instruction sets that allow the hardware to interface with higher-level software like the operating system. All hardware requires some form of firmware to work. Firmware often lacks a user interface that can be accessed from higher-level software, like the operating system.
Firmware is like the engine in a car: You canât see it while youâre driving and you donât interact with it directly, but you know itâs crucially important. In the same way, you donât really âuseâ firmware, but itâs fundamental to basically every device on the planet! Firmware doesnât have to be âfirmâ â it can and often is updated to add new features or fix bugs. And like an engine, its complexity and updateability can vary wildly depending on the use case.
The type of firmware most people are likely to know about is the BIOS found on a computerâs motherboard. Since itâs embedded on the motherboardâs ROM (read-only memory), itâs typically inaccessible using the operating system and requires a system reboot for direct access to that ROM.Â
The BIOS is one of the few forms of firmware that has a graphical interface that allows for modifications to the way the hardware functions. Most of the time the firmware merely contains a dedicated instruction set and other code for the hardware, so you canât see it or use it.
As technology becomes increasingly complex, many computer users find themselves confused by common tech terms like firmware, software, and hardware. While these components work together to make our devices function, they play different roles and have distinct characteristics. In this article, I’ll clearly explain the key differences between firmware, software and hardware to help demystify these fundamental computing concepts.
Hardware: The Physical Parts You Can Touch
Hardware refers to the physical, tangible components that make up a computing device. Things like the motherboard, processor chip, RAM sticks, hard drive, keyboard, monitor and mouse are all examples of hardware. You can physically touch, see and feel these parts.
Hardware gives a computer its shape and structure. It provides the foundational base upon which software and firmware can operate. Without the right hardware configuration, software programs simply won’t work.
Some key characteristics of hardware include
-
Physical – You can touch, feel and see hardware components.
-
Limited flexibility – Hardware is rigid and fixed You can’t easily change a keyboard into a mouse! Each component has a specific physical architecture that can’t be altered
-
Prone to damage – Hardware can be broken, burnt or physically degraded over time. Components have a finite lifespan.
-
Separate parts – Computer hardware consists of individual, standalone components that work together as a system.
-
Needs software/firmware – Hardware requires instructions from software/firmware to perform tasks. The hardware itself is “dumb”.
Common examples of computer hardware include the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drives, keyboards, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, video cards, sound cards, routers, and more. Hardware makes up the physical “body” of a computing device.
Software: The Virtual Programs and Code
Software is the intangible, virtual counterpart to hardware. If hardware forms the body, software is the mind and soul! Software refers to computer programs, code and data that give instructions telling the hardware how to accomplish tasks.
Software is logical rather than physical. You can’t directly touch or see software. It’s installed on hardware to make the components perform useful work. Software brings utility and functionality to otherwise dumb hardware.
Some characteristics of software:
-
Virtual – Software is intangible. It’s information rather than a physical object.
-
Flexible – Software is fluid and malleable. It can be easily changed and updated.
-
Resilient – Software itself won’t wear out over time like hardware (though the media it’s stored on may degrade).
-
Easy to duplicate – Software can be copied and duplicated endlessly without using up physical resources.
-
Requires hardware to operate – Software depends on compatible hardware to function. It’s hosted on and operates using physical components.
Some common examples of software include operating systems like Windows, macOS and Linux, productivity suites like Microsoft Office, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, image/video editing tools like Photoshop, mobile apps, drivers, antivirus programs, website backends and much more. Software brings function and utility to hardware.
Firmware: Specialized Software That Controls Hardware
Firmware is a narrow type of software with a focused purpose – to control the functionality of specific hardware devices. Examples of firmware include the BIOS/UEFI chips on motherboards, program code built into keyboards/mice, control software in routers, and the tiny program that runs your computer’s cooling fans.
You can think of firmware as the “brain” for hardware that keeps device-specific code and instructions. Without firmware, the related hardware couldn’t function.
Some key traits of firmware:
-
Software for hardware – Firmware contains program code tailored for its hardware device.
-
Limited scope – Firmware has a narrow, targeted functionality for its hardware component.
-
Rarely updated – Unlike general software, firmware rarely needs updating. It’s only changed if required.
-
Stored on hardware – Firmware code resides on chips or other circuitry within a device.
-
Not directly user accessed – Users typically don’t directly interact with firmware.
-
Loads on boot – Firmware loads and initializes during system boot.
Firmware might sound quite technical, but it’s basically specialized software enabling hardware to work correctly. Your PC won’t boot without firmware initializing components like the motherboard and storage drives. Devices like routers and keyboards rely on firmware too. It’s an essential, if unseen, part of computing.
Key Differences at a Glance
To recap, here’s a quick overview of how firmware, software and hardware differ:
| Hardware | Software | Firmware | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Physical components like chips, wires and circuits that make up a computing device. | Programs, code and data that provide instructions for hardware. | Specialized software that controls specific hardware. |
| Nature | Tangible, physical, rigid. | Intangible, virtual, malleable. | Hybrid of software and hardware. |
| Examples | Motherboard, CPU, RAM, keyboard, monitor. | Windows, Office apps, browsers, mobile apps. | BIOS, device drivers, control programs. |
| Flexibility | Fixed architecture. | Highly flexible and changeable. | Rarely updated. |
| Durability | Prone to physical wear and damage. | Won’t degrade over time. Easily duplicated. | Stored on hardware. |
| User Interaction | Users manipulate hardware like keyboards. | Users directly run and interact with software. | Users rarely access firmware directly. |
-
Hardware forms the physical basis of computers and devices
-
Software provides the logical functionality and instructions
-
Firmware acts as a bridge between the two, giving hardware specialized direction
All three computing aspects are equally important. Without advanced hardware, we couldn’t run complex software. Without ingenious software, hardware is useless. And firmware allows hardware to function as intended. These three foundational layers work symbiotically to make technology function seamlessly.
So next time you use a computing device, remember it’s a complex interplay between hardware, software and firmware! While the differences can seem subtle, all three are integral to creating a useful digital experience. With this guide, you should now have a clearer grasp of these fundamental computing pillars.
What is software? Is firmware a type of software?
Software is any program (or group of programs) run by a computer. The apps on your smartphone or tablet are software, but so is the Windows operating system on your laptop. In fact, firmware is really just another type of software, just one that has a more specific role (enabling hardware functions). While it may seem odd, nothing about firmware fundamentally differs from software â it is a program run by a computer.
Why differentiate between software and firmware at all? In most situations, there isnât a reason. Firmware as a term may be used when discussing device drivers or IoT products, where the âfirmwareâ is essentially every piece of code on the device â as these products often lack user-facing operating systems. Consider an Amazon Echo speaker or a simple Bluetooth step tracker.
In general, though, differentiating between software and firmware is unnecessary.
The browser youâre reading the post in right now? Thatâs software. So is the operating system the browser is installed onto. Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Android, Windows, and Google Chrome as all examples of software. If itâs installed on your computer right now, itâs software.Â
Firmware vs operating system: are they the same thing?Â
After reading more closely about firmware, it might be easy to confuse its role with that of the operating system. To be clear: they are not the same thing. The operating system, like Windows or Android, is the software layer that sits just above firmware. It works closely with the firmware to ensure the hardware functions and is the primary interface between the user and applications.Â
The operating system is the main management engine for the system, including all applications on the computer, drivers, memory and process management, and peripheral integration (like keyboards and mice).Â
What Makes ALL Your Electronics Work – Firmware Explained
What is the difference between firmware and software?
The firmware instructs the device to cooperate with other software that runs on it. Firmware gives low-level control over the device’s hardware, which is why some people call firmware the “software of hardware.” In this sense, firmware is a type of software, but the key difference between firmware and software is user friendliness.
What is a firmware & how does it work?
Firmware is a piece of machine-level software that gives instructions for a machine. The firmware instructs the device to cooperate with other software that runs on it. Firmware gives low-level control over the device’s hardware, which is why some people call firmware the “software of hardware.”
Does all hardware need a firmware?
All hardware requires some form of firmware to work. Firmware often lacks a user interface that can be accessed from higher-level software, like the operating system. Firmware is like the engine in a car: You can’t see it while you’re driving and you don’t interact with it directly, but you know it’s crucially important.
What is software & hardware?
Software and hardware are the most common terms used when discussing computers. Many elements dedicate themselves to the making of modern tech devices. There are various kinds of software and hardware, and you may come across firmware. In the electronic industry, firmware and software are evenly popular.
