Full-Stack Developer vs. Software Engineer (Career Comparison)

Interested in a career as a developer or software engineer and unsure which path is right for you? The rapid growth of the tech industry has given rise to an abundance of job titles and roles that seemingly overlap in education and skill sets. Among them, "full-stack developer" and "software engineer" are two titles that often lead to confusion. 

Both roles revolve around software development. You can think of full-stack developers as a subset of software engineers — they have a more focused skillset. They may also vary slightly in responsibilities, skills required, education, and salary prospects. In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive comparison between a full-stack developer and a software engineer to help you understand which career path aligns best with your professional goals.

Full-Stack Developer vs. Software Engineer: A Brief Overview

Let’s start with a brief overview of some of the key differences between a full-stack developer and a software engineer. Understanding these differences will be important in helping you make decisions for your education and career path.

A software engineer applies the principles of engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate software systems. These systems are then used to make computers, programs, and more. They create products (such as apps, network servers, and games) for operating systems, networks, and hardware. They also create new software features to respond to industry and client changes. Software engineers typically specialize in a single aspect of software development, such as AI/machine learning or database management.

A full-stack developer uses many of they same principles, but they’re working on particular “stacks,” or sets of frameworks and tools used to together to develop an entire application. A full-stack developer understands how to program both the front-end and back-end of programs, websites, and apps. This means they have comprehensive knowledge of the application’s logic, system architecture, and database (back-end) as well as web design, user interface, and user experience (front-end). Their holistic understanding of software development makes them incredibly versatile and in high-demand.

Full-Stack Developer vs. Software Engineer: Job Description, Responsibilities & Skills

Now that you have a basic understanding of the roles, let’s dive deeper into the differences often found in job descriptions, responsibilities, and skill sets required for success.

Full-Stack Developer Job Description, Responsibilities & Skills

Job descriptions vary from job to job, but there are some similarities that span the expectations of the role, no matter the industry or company you might work for. Some of the most common things full-stack developers are expected to do include handling server-level development, managing databases, creating great UI and UX, and troubleshooting/resolving bugs and issues.

From a more technical standpoint, this means that full-stack developers need to be proficient in these skills:

• Front-end technologies and coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.)
• Back-end technologies and coding languages (Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Python, etc.)
• Databases (MySQL, MongoDB, etc.)
• Design and aesthetics in theory and practice

On a daily basis, a full-stack developer may be found building a website from scratch, creating a new application for mobile devices, building new features on APIs, collaborating with other developers on large projects, keeping thorough documentation, maintaining their creations and fixing bugs, and presenting their work to clients.

Learn More:

• Best Coding Languages for Back-End Web Development
• Best Coding Languages for Front-End Web Development

Software Engineer Job Description, Responsibilities & Skills

Software engineers, however, design and create software systems. They use mathematical analysis and computer science principles to develop software that solves a problem or meets the demands of a client. Their responsibilities may include the coding itself, as well as tasks like researching, designing, implementing, and managing software platforms.

From a technical standpoint, this means that software engineers must be skilled at:

• Programming languages (C++, Java, Python, etc.)
• Software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.)
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving

So, what does a software engineer do on a day-to-day basis? They may spend their time writing code for new or existing software programs, updating and debugging that code, designing new software, and sharing their work with a collaborative team and clients.

Full-Stack Developer vs. Software Engineer: Education & Experience Requirements

One of the interesting things about tech roles like these is that the education path is not a hard-and-fast rule. A master’s or even bachelor’s degree in computer science is often not a requirement for entry into the fields. 

Why? Because the tech industry tends to value skills over a formal education. This is good news for those who want to enter this lucrative, fast-growing field without committing four years or more to education and training.

Full-Stack Developer Education & Experience Requirements

Wondering how much school a full-stack developer needs? Often, all you need to land your first entry-level role is strong knowledge of a tech-stack. These skills may be gained through self-learning, online courses, online coding bootcamps, or a formal education.

While there are no industry-wide standards for how much experience is needed, one of the most important things that an aspiring professional full-stack developer can do is create a comprehensive programming portfolio. 

It should show just how much hands-on experience you have under your belt. These projects can give potential employers most of the information they need about your back-end and front-end skills. Your portfolio should be diverse, displaying your true range of capabilities and should include projects completed individually and collaboratively through open-source projects.

Software Engineer Education & Experience Requirements

A software engineer typically has at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Because of the deep understanding needed for computer systems, algorithms, data structures, and engineering principals, it is less common to find a job opening for a software engineer that doesn’t require a more formal education. 

That said, practical experience can speak louder than a diploma. For example, a college graduate may have a lackluster portfolio while a bootcamp graduate has something stunning. You may consider going for an internship to start, entering coding competitions, and — of course — building a strong portfolio with small and large project examples. As long as you can get through that initial screening process to show off your work, you have a chance to get that offer letter.

Keep Reading:

• Is a Software Engineering Degree Worth It?
• How to Become a Software Engineer Without a Degree

Full-Stack Developer vs. Software Engineer: Tools & Technologies

Because the tools and technologies often overlap, it’s no wonder why people often confuse a full-stack developer with a software engineer. The greatest difference lies in how these technologies are applied.

Full-Stack Developer Tools & Technologies

Full-stack developers use a wide range of tools and technologies, as they deal with both client-side and server-side development. This includes front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and libraries/frameworks like React or Angular. On the back-end, they may use Node.js, Ruby, Python, along with databases like MySQL or MongoDB.

The future for full-stack developers looks exciting, with evolving technologies such as blockchain, AI, and machine learning making their way into full-stack development.

Software Engineer Tools & Technologies

Software engineers also use various tools and technologies, but their focus tends to be more on the methodological structuring of systems. They use programming languages like Java, C++, C#, or Python and tools like Git for version control, Docker for containerization, and JIRA for project management.

As for the future, software engineers are moving towards advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, transforming how software is developed and deployed.