The significance of a software framework in application development lies in providing a standardized foundation that simplifies and accelerates the development process. By offering pre-built components and libraries, software frameworks allow developers to focus on functionality rather than coding mundane tasks from scratch. This enhances efficiency and maintains consistency within applications, as developers adhere to established best practices. Furthermore, frameworks often incorporate security features, manage data flow, and facilitate integration with other tools, ultimately resulting in robust and scalable applications.