You’ve likely heard the terms “firmware” and “software” thrown around — sometimes interchangeably. While there’s 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 “software” as a term generally refers to things you can interact with, like an operating system or application. 

The difference between the two is much less relevant than it once was, but here are some ways to think about each.

What is Firmware? 

Firmware originally described the low-level software necessary for hardware to work with software — the intermediary between the actual microprocessors and the operating system and software a user runs. It’s 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 can’t see it while you’re driving and you don’t interact with it directly, but you know it’s crucially important. In the same way, you don’t really “use” firmware, but it’s fundamental to basically every device on the planet! Firmware doesn’t have to be “firm” – 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.

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Firmware vs operating system

An operating system (OS) manages hardware resources and provides a platform for applications to run. Firmware, by contrast, initializes the hardware before the OS even loads. The two work together, but they operate at different layers of the stack.

When you power on a computer, firmware runs first. On most PCs, this firmware is called BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or its modern replacement, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). The firmware performs basic hardware checks, initializes components like memory and storage, and then hands control to the operating system. Without firmware completing this handoff, the OS would never start.

Some devices blur this line. Embedded systems and IoT devices sometimes run firmware that handles everything, including what you might consider OS-level tasks. A smart thermostat, for example, might not have a traditional operating system at all. Its firmware manages both the hardware initialization and the user-facing logic. For more complex devices like smartphones or computers, the distinction remains clear: firmware handles the earliest boot stages and hardware-specific functions, while the OS manages everything from file systems to user interfaces.

Examples of firmware and software

Concrete examples help clarify where firmware ends and software begins.

Common firmware examples

• BIOS/UEFI on computer motherboards, which initializes hardware during startup
• Router firmware that controls network routing, security settings, and wireless protocols
• Printer firmware managing print heads, paper handling, and communication with computers
• SSD and hard drive firmware controlling how data is read, written, and stored
• Smart TV firmware handling display initialization, input processing, and codec support
• Embedded controllers in appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and thermostats

Common software examples

• Operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
• Productivity applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and email clients
• Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
• Mobile apps downloaded from app stores
• Enterprise software including CRM systems, inventory management, and point-of-sale applications

The pattern is consistent. Firmware lives inside the device and controls its fundamental operations. Software lives on storage media and provides the features users actually see and use.

Why the firmware vs software difference matters

Knowing the difference between firmware and software helps teams make better decisions about device selection, update strategies, and long-term maintenance.

• Security implications differ significantly. Firmware vulnerabilities are harder to patch and often go unaddressed for longer. Attackers increasingly target firmware because compromises at this level can persist even through OS reinstalls. Software vulnerabilities, while more common, are typically easier to remediate.
• Update cadences require different planning. Software updates can often roll out continuously with minimal risk. Firmware updates demand more caution, more testing, and more robust rollback strategies. Organizations managing large device fleets benefit from separate workflows for each.
• Troubleshooting follows different paths. When a device misbehaves, knowing whether the issue lies in firmware or software determines the next steps. Firmware problems often manifest as boot failures, hardware malfunctions, or inconsistent behavior that persists across software reinstalls. Software problems tend to be more isolated and recoverable.

Vendor relationships matter more for firmware. Organizations can often choose their software stack independently. Firmware, however, comes from the hardware manufacturer. Long-term firmware support, or the lack of it, directly impacts how long a device can safely operate in production.

What is a firmware update and how does it work

A firmware update replaces the existing firmware on a device with a newer version. Unlike software updates, which often happen automatically in the background, firmware updates typically require more deliberate action and carry higher stakes.

The update process generally follows a predictable sequence. First, the manufacturer releases a new firmware image that addresses bugs, patches security vulnerabilities, or adds features. Next, the update downloads to the device, either over the air (OTA updates) or via a direct connection. Then, the device writes the new firmware to its non-volatile memory. Finally, the device reboots to activate the new firmware.

Modern devices often use A/B partition schemes for safer updates. The device maintains two firmware slots. It writes the update to the inactive slot, then switches to it on reboot. If something goes wrong, it can fall back to the previous working version. This approach is sometimes called "rollback protection."

Tip: Firmware updates on dedicated devices can be particularly risky without proper rollback protection. A failed update might leave the device unbootable and require physical service.

The stakes are higher with firmware because there's less room for error. A corrupted software installation can usually be fixed by reinstalling. A corrupted firmware installation might require specialized tools, physical access, or even hardware replacement to recover.

Firmware vs operating system: are they the same thing? 

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. 

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). 

The bottom line: firmware and software are almost the same thing

While the term “firmware” still holds a very specific meaning, there’s very little reason to use it outside  specific technical contexts. The lines between firmware and software have blurred over time, especially as firmware has become more updatable. For all but the most specific forms of communication, just using “software” is usually fine.

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