Software Developer vs Software Engineer: What Are the Differences?

Pursuing a career as either a software engineer or a software developer can be exciting and rewarding. Whilst the jobs are similar, the skills and interests that make them a good fit for the roles differ significantly.

Software developers design specific computer systems and application software. Software engineers work on a larger scale to design, develop, and test entire computer systems and application software for a company or organisation—software development is a subset of software engineering, creating products from their designs. 

Explore both the role of software developer and software engineer to understand the similarities and differences and to discover which is right for you.

Software developer vs software engineer: Understanding each role in the workplace 

Software engineers tend to be in more collaborative roles in the workplace, while software developers may find themselves working in a more independent environment. Either of these careers may take place in an office workplace or remotely. People in these roles may work as company employees or independent contractors. 

A software engineer may work with many different people on a team, including other engineers and developers. Individuals working in this role may also work with users to determine software needs. 

Software developers work with other developers and programmers on a limited basis. A lot of a developer's work involves working with applications or operating systems more than other people. 

Both roles are critical to the infrastructure of a company and their work affects the performance of software systems, applications, and network systems. 

Insight from an engineer

As you continue to grow in your field, your interests may shift over time. "Managing projects and driving product direction is what I find to be most engaging now, but that was definitely different from early on in my career where I really liked just heads-down grinding on code," says Julie Luo, a software engineer at Meta with four years of experience.

Luo recommends exploring various areas of the field early in your career to learn more about your work preferences before settling into a specific line of work. "I aim to shift to different projects or teams when I feel myself stagnating," she adds. "My goal this early on in my career is to really optimise for learning and experiences. Once I feel more sure about the work I'm interested in and what my strengths are, I'll double down on that."

Discover the skill set differences

You can find a lot of crossovers when looking at the skill sets of software developers compared to software engineers since both jobs involve creating and developing systems and applications. Software developers and software engineers should be analytical, strong problem solvers, able to troubleshoot, and be good communicators. However, some differences are important to note if you’re trying to decide which career path is best for you. 

Skills of a software developer 

• Proficiency in popular programming languages like Python, Java, C++, and Scala

• Ability to write and test code

• Creativity 

• Ability to look at the big picture and small steps along the way 

• Presentation skills

• Familiarity with cross-browser compatibility

• Proficient in developing responsive web designs

• Ability to work on front-end application development 

• Knowledge of algorithms and data structures 

• Time management skills 

Skills of a software engineer 

• Extensive knowledge of a wide range of programming languages 

• Proficient in software development and computer operating systems 

• Proficient in advanced mathematics 

• Ability to apply engineering principles to software creation 

• Leadership skills 

• Ability to debug software and systems

• Ability to create scalable domain-specific pipelines and languages

• Ability to create the tools needed to develop software

• Project management skills 

Explore the differences in career paths

The main difference in career paths for software engineers compared to those of software developers is that software developers tend to have more flexibility and variety. Software developers may also be able to work remotely or in a freelance position more easily than software engineers. Career paths for software engineers could result in overseeing a team within a company and requiring more teamwork than software development positions. 

Software developers can choose a few different trajectories that aren’t as linear as engineers. Developers who want to work in a managerial position may start as junior developers before becoming senior software developers or consultants. 

Developers who don’t want to manage others may stay in this role and pursue a specific type of development, such as front-end, back-end, full-stack, or mobile development. 

If you’re interested in management positions, you can choose to pursue a career as a lead developer, technical architect, or information technology (IT) systems architect who creates, maintains, and implements IT systems for a business. If you follow this path, the next step could likely be as a development team lead or software development manager, and finally, director, vice president, or chief technology officer. 

Software engineers can move from entry-level software engineers to senior engineers and then into management-level roles with substantial experience, especially when it comes to leading IT teams and coding.

The job outlook for each field

The future looks promising for these career paths as demand builds for the skills and knowledge of both software developers and engineers. As technology advances and the need for innovative software grows, so does the need for people who can design, create, build, and implement computer systems and applications software. As a software developer or engineer, you may be employed in a range of industries, including IT, finance, manufacturing, and public utilities.

The salary range for each field 

The median annual base salary for software developers working in the UK is £40,579, with a range between £32,000 and £52,000 [1]. The median annual base salary for software engineers working in the UK is £48,602, with a range between £37,000 and £64,000 a year [2]. 

Factors such as location, industry, and company can all affect salary. For example, software engineers in London have an average salary of £57,775, while engineers in Manchester have an average salary of £41,171 [3, 4]. Your level of experience is another important factor in salary. 

Pursuing certification or degrees

To work as a software engineer, you may be able to enter this profession with a degree in any discipline as long as you have the necessary technical knowledge. However, some recruiters and employers favour candidates with a degree in computer science, computer software, systems engineering, or another closely related field. If your degree isn’t in a technical subject you may consider a postgraduate IT conversion or technical postgraduate course.

For software developers, most employers may require a degree in software development or other areas such as computer science, information technology, and related disciplines. 

Pursuing certifications is an effective way for working professionals to expand their knowledge base. Many software development and engineering careers even require certifications before working with certain software projects. These certifications provide verification that you know enough about the software to work with it. 

Common certifications offered to software engineers and software developers are: 

• Oracle 

• Microsoft 

• IBM 

• Cloud computing 

• Cybersecurity 

How Coursera can help 

Software developers and software engineers are not the same, but you’ll find similarities and cross-overs in responsibilities and the skills and qualifications you need to work in one of these roles. 

Whether you feel that software engineering or software development is for you, working towards a certification, online course, or certificate can boost your CV, making you more desirable to employers. On Coursera, you’ll find Professional Certificates, Specialisations, and Guided Projects specifically designed for software developers and software engineers seeking to further their knowledge and advance their careers. 

Certifications can help you build your reputation within your field, possibly leading to overall greater job satisfaction as you grow into a highly sought-after professional in your industry. Explore these popular Professional Certificates and Specialisations on Coursera: 

• Data Structures and Algorithms Specialization

• Python for Everybody Specialization

• Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate