Hardware and software development are two different solutions. They differ in terms of:
I) Cost. Firstly, it’s much easier to calculate the hardware development cost since the price doesn’t increase. On the other hand, the price of software development can rise even when the project is nearly completed.
ii) Testing. It’s relatively easy to run a test in hardware development since the procedures and streamlines that have to be followed are minimal. In contrast, testing software development isn’t a long process since it often demands custom procedures and long streamlines.
iii) Set up. Hardware development can be set up quickly and usually doesn’t require many adaptations, while software development needs to be constantly monitored.
iv) Upgrades. An upgrade for hardware development means a replacement of printed circuit boards, which usually doesn’t cost a lot of money or time. However, software upgrades demand more effort from developers since they have to redo many code lines and review the final result/implementation.