Stack Overflow 2025: Where Is Technological Development Heading?

Last year, at Itequia, we analyzed the results of the Stack Overflow 2024 survey to identify the trends shaping the development world. Now, with the 2025 edition published, it’s time to review what has changed, what has solidified, and where the industry is heading.

This article compares key data from both years across areas such as programming languages, frameworks, artificial intelligence, work environments, and development tools. The goal is to help organizations make informed decisions about their technological ecosystems.

Stability and Evolution in the Language and Framework Ecosystem

The most used languages continue to be JavaScript (68.8%), HTML/CSS (63%), and SQL (61.3%). Compared to last year, the percentages have shifted slightly. SQL was in second place (54.1%) and HTML/CSS in third (52.9%).

Developer admiration is shifting toward languages like Rust (72.4%), Gleam (70.8%), Elixir (65.9%), and Zig (64.2%), which stand out for offering security, efficiency, and a modern development experience. It’s worth noting that Rust was also the most admired programming language last year, with 82.2%.

In the framework space, React remains the most used, but frameworks like Phoenix (83%), Svelte (82%), and Next.js (81%) are gaining appreciation. This evolution shows that, despite the consolidation of certain technologies, technical teams increasingly value lightweight and efficient alternatives.

Artificial Intelligence: Mass Adoption and Paradigm Shift

One of the major developments in 2025 is the normalization of AI tools in development. This year, 84% of respondents report using assistants like Copilot, ChatGPT, or Cody to generate code, write tests, document functions, or debug. A clear increase from last year (76%).

This shift is not just technological but cultural. AI is no longer a one-off tool—it has become a structural part of workflows. Organizations that fail to strategically integrate these resources risk falling behind in productivity and efficiency.

Development Environments: VS Code Dominates, but Diversity Grows

Visual Studio Code remains the most used development environment, with a share above 70% (76.2%). However, environments like IntelliJ IDEA, Notepad++, and Vim are gaining traction—especially among backend developers, data scientists, and Unix-based professionals.

These figures show that one IDE clearly stands out in usage. However, diversity is a reality that must be considered in team management and process definition.

Operating Systems and Platforms

Windows continues to be the most used operating system in professional environments, with 49.5% preference among developers. However, Linux is steadily gaining ground, especially through distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and the use of WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), which allows Linux to run within Windows.

The combination of these environments reflects a clear trend toward adopting open and flexible tools that better meet current technical needs. While Windows maintains its lead, the Linux ecosystem is becoming an increasingly relevant option in professional development.

Databases and Containers: PostgreSQL and Docker Solidify Their Positions

PostgreSQL (58.2%) remains the most favored database, followed by MySQL (39.6%) and SQLite (36.9%). Meanwhile, Docker continues to be the most used container technology (71.1%), with Kubernetes gaining traction in more complex orchestration environments.

These figures confirm that cloud-native architectures are no longer a trend—they are a consolidated reality.

Work Culture: The Hybrid Model Takes Hold

Although remote work is still valued, 2025 shows a consolidation of the hybrid model. Developers appreciate flexibility but also value in-person collaboration during key project phases. Job satisfaction correlates with an organization’s ability to offer autonomy, impact, and well-structured technical environments.

Conclusions

The Stack Overflow 2025 survey shows that technological development is evolving not only in tools but also in culture, processes, and expectations. Companies that want to stay competitive will need to:

• Review their tech stacks with discernment.
• Integrate AI into workflows.
• Adapt development environments to talent preferences.
• Invest in scalable and secure architectures.

At Itequia, we help companies transform technologically with a forward-looking vision. If you want to review your architecture or explore new technologies, contact us.