Difference Between Application and System Software

The software has two types’ application software and system software. Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer how to perform a specific task. Application software is a specific-purpose software and system software is a general-purpose software.

Application Software

Application software is a computer program designed to perform specific tasks or provide certain services. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, video games, and web browsers are examples of applications.

MS Excel: It is spreadsheet software used to calculate and manipulate data.

MS Word: It is a word processor software. It is used for making documents.

MS PowerPoint: It is presentation software. It is used for making the presentation.

Database software: Database software is used to manage data.

Applications are usually created by companies to solve problems they face. They are often developed using programming languages such as C/C++, Java, Python, and PHP. Applications are also known as programs because they are written in code.

System Software

System software is the software that runs on your computer. It helps manage hardware components such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, memory, storage devices, and processors. The system software also manages user accounts and security settings.

Difference between application software and system software

The differences between application software and system software are as follows:

System Software	Application Software
It is general-purpose software.	It is a specific purpose software.
It is used to manage computer resources.	It is used to solve a particular problem.
It executes all the time on the computer.	It executes as and when required.
The number of system software is less than the application software.	The number of system software is much more than system software.
System software is essential for a computer to work.	Application software is not essential for a computer to work.
Programming to develop the system software is complex.	Programming to develop the application software is simpler than compared to system software
System software does not depend on the application software for proper working.	Application software depends on the system software for proper working.
The application software must be opened by users when we need to use it.	Examples: MS excel, MS word, MS PowerPoint, etc.
System software works automatically when the system is turned on.	System software is installed on the system at the time when the Operating System (OS) is installed.
The system cannot work without the system software	The system can work without the application software.
System software is installed on the system at the time when Operating System (OS) is installed.	Application software is installed when users need to install it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)