Hardware vs. Software: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing hardware and software using available credits or plan allowance.
Hardware is the physical part of a computer you can touch, such as the processor, memory, screen and keyboard, while software is the set of instructions, stored as data, that tells the hardware what to do. Hardware without software sits idle, and software needs hardware to run on. Operating systems, apps and games are all software.
At a glance
| Hardware | Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Physical components made of matter | Instructions and data stored electronically |
| Examples | CPU, RAM, SSD, keyboard, monitor | Windows, Android, web browsers, games |
| How it changes | Upgraded by replacing parts | Updated by installing new versions |
| How it fails | Wears out, overheats or breaks | Has bugs, but does not wear out |
| Copying | Each unit must be manufactured | Copied instantly at almost no cost |
Which should you use?
A hardware upgrade is the fix when a physical part is the limit, such as adding RAM to a laptop that slows down with many tabs open, or replacing a cracked phone screen.
A software fix applies when the problem lies in the instructions, such as installing a security update, removing an app that keeps crashing, or reinstalling a corrupted printer driver.