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There are a multitude of fast-growing programming languages for app development and design providing new opportunities for developers. These languages are driving new growth and shaping new industry trends.
With hundreds of programming languages out there, if you’re wondering what is most relevant for the type of mobile app you want to create, here are some of the most reliable languages to fall back on. These are the programming languages you will find in job listings, employer preferences, software development, and high-performance applications.
Here are the best programming languages to learn in 2025 for app development.
Choosing the right programming language is a must for a mobile app. It’s what decides the limitations or potential for an app’s efficiency, scalability, and performance. Different project scopes and platforms require different tools. A mismatch can mean higher costs to develop an app and longer design timelines. In addition, the world of app development is a lot more complex than ever before, with cross-platform frameworks, AI integration, and cloud-based development preferences. Developers need languages that support these trends and that prioritize present standards of mobile app performance.
Swift is Apple’s preferred programming language for iOS and macOS apps. It’s fast, safe, and modern. Swift has a strong community and IDE support behind it through Xcode. SwiftUI also makes designing interfaces highly intuitive. For cutting-edge Apple and iOS mobile apps, Swift is a go-to for many developers.
Python is the main coding language used by every 4 in 5 developers and is the most in-demand in the world. Python is user-friendly and can complete all sorts of tasks from simple scripting to complex web applications and AI integration. The Python-based, open-source Django framework is a useful tool in web development.
Kotlin is the official Android programming language and offers null safety, concise syntax, and full Java interoperability. Kotlin Multiplatform continues to expand its use across iOS and web apps as well. For startups and new mobile-first apps being developed this year, Kotlin is a powerhouse of a programming language that you can’t deny.
Java is high-level, object-oriented, and has wide platform independence. Java can run on almost any device, perfect for any OS, mobile app, and software framework. Java is used by 97% of all app development companies and remains a language that prioritizes productivity, performance, and security. It’s mature and reliable even in the face of newer and trendier languages.
Rust is ideal for system-level programming and performance-critical applications. Originally developed by Firefox as a C++ alternative, Rust is now a much-beloved development language. More mobile app development companies are using Rust for embedded, game, and backend development. For secure, scalable apps, Rust is a must-consider.
Flutter, Google’s UI toolkit, is powered by a programming language called Dart. It is used to build native apps across mobile, web, and desktop. Dart enables high performance and its hot reload feature speeds up development cycles. As Flutter continues to accumulate users, expect to see more requests for and interest in Dart.
JavaScript is a core language for web apps. It is frequently used in interactive web and hybrid app development. Front-end frameworks like React and back-end environments like Node.js are powered by JavaScript. With PWAs, or Progressive Web Apps, on the rise, JavaScript is indispensable among full-stack app development.
TypeScript adds static typing and advanced tooling to JavaScript app development. For large-scale apps requiring maintainability, TypeScript can prove to be a crucial language. Many of the more essential app frameworks now recommend or require TypeScript, helping to boost productivity and reduce runtime bugs.
PHP is an open-source server-side scripting language and an important programming language for web and CMS-based apps. PHP is extremely user-friendly for developers. Frameworks like Laravel have modernized how the language is used. WordPress also still uses PHP. For a developer building out a content-driven app of any kind, PHP is a practical consideration.
C++ offers optimal control over memory and processing. This programming language is used frequently in high-performance applications, such as those tied to gaming, finance, and system software. C++ is admittedly one of the more challenging languages to pick up but exceptionally rewarding when dealing with complex app architectures.
SQL, or Structured Query Language, remains vital for data-driven apps and managing relational databases. Backend and full-stack developers often use SQL to handle data storage and retrieval. PostgreSQL, MySQL, and similar tools rely on SQL. There is no better pick for a data-centric web or mobile application than this programming language.
While SQL is data-driven, R takes things a step further as a data-driven app language with significant statistical power. For statistical computing and graphics, R is essential for developers creating apps involving analytics, machine learning, and/or data science. While it’s not a traditional app language, niche use is growing as it can integrate with web apps via APIs.
Ruby, paired with Rails, provides rapid development and clean code inventions that are easy to learn and use. Ruby is an excellent pick for launching early-stage products quickly. While it’s not the trendiest programming language, Ruby is exceptionally stable and developer-friendly. While Ruby’s interest is declining, the language is still occasionally the best language to rely on for certain apps.
C# powers apps on the .NET framework. It is the primary language for Unity game development. C# is perfect for desktop, mobile, and web apps. Cross-platform development is as seamless as ever with MAUI, or Multi-Platform App UI. C# offers enhanced stability, versatility, and has an extensive library of features and support for a component-based design.
Go, or GoLang, was developed by Google and is a much easier syntax to learn and use than alternatives like Java, C, and C++. Go has an excellent runtime and is one of the fastest-growing languages among developers. As a low-level language, it is perfect for system-level programming. Go is open source and widely used by more and more mobile app developers around the world.
Julia is a relatively new programming language typically used for data science, machine learning, and heavy calculations. Julia offers the simplicity of Python with the speed of C. For applications that require fast data analysis, Julia is fast becoming the language most developers rely on. With big data tools certainly on the verge of growing, Julia will become even more prominent a language.
Shell scripts automate backend workflows and DevOps processes. They’re essential for managing server environments and deployment pipelines. Basic scripting can assist developers with efficient app building and they are vital for cloud infrastructure management.
There are several newer entrants into the world of programming languages with Dark being an important language pertaining to cross-platform development. Dark lets a developer build back-end and front-end components with ease. Write code in a single language and deploy it across various platforms. Organizations such as Stripe have used Dark to build scalable, collaborative backend systems.
WebAssembly was designed as a language to bridge the gap between high-level application development and native code performance. It introduces a portable, compact binary format that runs at near-native speeds, allowing developers to build web apps with unprecedented performance potential. While its able to run complex web apps, it also is complex to debug and has a larger code size.
Xamarin is a framework that allows developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using C#. By Microsoft, Xamarin leverages the .NET ecosystem to enable seamless integration with platform-specific APIs. This ensures a native experience across iOS, Android, and Windows devices. The only drawback to opting for Xamarin as your programming language is that it has platform-specific limitations and a large app size.
What programming language a developer chooses for a specific app depends entirely on the application’s function. Certain languages can solve problems quicker than other languages can.
Are you looking to build a mobile app for your business? Talk to the app experts at Let’s Nurture to discover more information about how we can assist you with building an application from the ground up. Our team is highly experienced in dozens of programming languages and can break down why specific languages may be better for your type of app than others. Reach out today for more information on where to start in creating an app.
