Difference between System Architecture and Software Architecture

1. System Architecture : System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of multiple components and subsystems like multiple software applications, network devices, hardware, and even other machinery of a system. It is Architecture Description Language (ADL) which helps to describe the entire system architecture. So it is a much broader topic. System architecture can be broadly categorize into centralized and decentralized architectural organizations. 2. Software Architecture : Software architecture refers to the process of creating high level structure of a software system. It is about the complete structure/architecture of the overall system means it converts software characteristics like scalability, security, reusability, extensibility, modularity, maintainability, etc. into structured solutions to meet the business requirement. Multiple high-level architecture patterns and principles are followed during defining architecture of a system. It mainly focuses more on externally visible components of the system and their interaction with each other.
Difference between System Architecture and Software Architecture :

S.No.	SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE	SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
01.	System architecture is a conceptual model that describes the structure and behavior of multiple components and subsystems like multiple software applications, network devices, hardware, and even other machinery of a system.	Software architecture refers to the process of creating high level structure of a software system.
02.	It focuses on the entire system.	Where as software architecture focuses on the components.
03.	Various types of system architectures are Hardware architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Collaborative system architecture.	Various software architecture patterns include Serverless Architecture, Event Driven Architecture, Micro Service Architecture.
04.	It helps to define low level infrastructure of a software.	It helps to define high level infrastructure of a software.
05.	What we are building overall is system architecture.	What we are building individually is software architecture.
06.	System architecture includes elements of both software and hardware and is used to enable design of such a composite system.	Software architecture considers different factors such as Business strategy, human dynamics, quality attributes, design, and IT environment etc.
07.	It defines structure, behavior and view of a system.	It defines the solutions to meet technical and business requirements.
08.	So in one line overall view of all components and their relationship is called system architecture.	So in one line individual component and its relationship with other is called software architecture.
09.	For example system architecture of an order entering system contains web front end, business layer service, web backend, data base etc.	For example software architecture is one component of ordering system is web front end which consist of responsive user interface, view controller, web services and many more.