# Development
Is Ruby on Rails Dead in 2025?
Red Rocket teamSep 13, 20246 min read
In This Article
Is Ruby on Rails Still Relevant in 2025? Advantages of Ruby on Rails Disadvantages of Ruby on Rails Applications Built on Ruby Ruby on Rails vs Alternatives Why Is Ruby Great For Startups in 2025? FAQ
Don't know which programming language to choose for app development in 2025? Due to the rapid technological advancement in the world, there are many solutions that programmers use today to create different digital products. This makes it difficult to choose a technology stack, especially for beginners for whom this will be the first project. One of the options that is used for back-end development purposes is Ruby on Rails. However, you can see many statements today that Ruby on Rails is dead. Is this really the case?
The choice of development solutions is relevant for many developers of websites, applications, and other products. In this article, we want to share with you the main features of this programming language, provide concrete examples, and dispel the myth that Ruby on Rails is dead.
Is Ruby on Rails Still Relevant in 2025?
Today on forums dedicated to web development you can find quite a few opinions of people that RoR framework is no longer a relevant solution. Is Ruby dead or does it still deserve your attention? Before we move on to a detailed consideration of this question, we suggest defining the term Ruby on Rails.
Ruby on Rails (short for RoR) is an open-source object-oriented framework. It is popular among programmers all over the world and is used to create web applications. The framework is based on the model-view-controller (MVC) principle. The framework is based on the connection of models with the database and their interaction with application objects. The process of working with Ruby on Rails is simplified by using a standardized naming convention for files and directories.
David Hansson, the founder of the first version of Ruby on Rails, launched the framework in 2004 to organize the work of his team. Subsequently, he decided to make the framework public by distributing it open source. This happened in 2005, and in 2007, it appeared in Apple's OS X Leopard. David Hansson developed eight principles on which Ruby on Rails should be built. They were called the doctrine and included the following points.
- Optimization for comfortable programming. Ruby on Rails can become programmer-friendly if a programmer needs it.
- Agreements replace configuration. Programmers can work faster with the framework if they choose to standardize at all stages of interaction.
- Menus. The framework developers have chosen the best methods and tools for their invention, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience.
- The paradigm does not belong to anyone. Ruby on Rails is ready to offer flexible solutions for all cases.
- Beautiful code, above all else. Ruby on Rails makes the bottom line simple and beautiful at the same time.
- Integrated systems come with a high price tag. All the tools needed to build an application are integrated and encapsulate maximum information.
- Striving for progress instead of stability. The platform is willing to take risks to make the necessary improvements and changes.
- A large community is welcome. New contributors and their ideas are always highly regarded.
Programming languages and frameworks, like people, are born and die sooner or later. And, as in the case of people, information about the death of some of them is exaggerated. Ruby is a vivid example. Questions about its death arise so often that enthusiasts have even created a site isrubydead, where you can find an answer to the corresponding question. However, is Ruby on Rails still relevant? The fact that there are no developers working in the RoR development environment today is a myth. Of course, there are fewer people who choose Ruby on Rails than those who prefer PHP. However, it is still a relevant framework that is used to implement digital projects of varying complexity and scale.
Advantages of Ruby on Rails
Despite the rantings of some developers, the Ruby on Rails framework is still alive and in demand in 2025. You may ask us why this is the case. This framework remains popular because of the benefits it provides to developers. We have gathered the most popular and important benefits of Ruby on Rails that every developer should know about today.
Convention over configuration
The principle of Convention over configuration is relevant to Ruby on Rails. What does it mean? At the heart of everything is standardization on the structure, naming and development of the project as a whole, accepted at the level of the whole community. And therefore, even if one Ruby developer leaves the project, another can easily immerse himself in it and continue to support and develop it. Not every framework can boast of this.
Easy to control and make changes
Today, most web development teams prefer to use the Agile approach instead of Waterfall, which allows for change and flexibility. This approach usually has a positive impact on the development of the final product. The framework is very convenient for teams that work according to Agile. It allows you to easily control the process of making changes both at the code and database level.
Resource savings
Since this framework is often used for the technical implementation of startups, resources and funds are mostly limited. Customers cannot spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire a huge team of specialists. Unlike many other languages, a single programmer is enough to realize a project in Ruby on Rails, which covers many tasks besides writing code. Other processes can cover application deployment, working with the database, and so on. It is not hard to guess that all this significantly reduces the customer's costs.
Plugins and modules
Another advantage that we want to tell you about in this article concerns additional plugins. There are many ready-made plugins and modules for Ruby on Rails, which are easy to integrate into your project and do not waste time writing your own code. Thus, the realization of a project on Ruby on Rails is fast.
Scalability
Another benefit of Rails is scalability, which is a significant factor when it comes to developing applications. Rails application can be easily scaled vertically and horizontally to accommodate more traffic and load. The integration of load balancing, caching, and database replication makes scaling very easy within Rails. A Rails app can be scaled out by adding more servers and resources with relatively minor configuration adjustments.
Security
One more significant benefit of using this system is security. Ruby has implemented security features that guard against some common weaknesses in any web application, such as SQL injections and XSS. Its ORM and template system reduce the risk of SQL injections to practically zero. Rails also sanitizes strings before rendering to mitigate XSS attacks. Due to these stringent measures, Rails developers do not need to spend much time guarding against these threats.
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Disadvantages of Ruby on Rails
Certainly, any framework has both advantages and disadvantages. Ruby on Rails is no exception, so developers face certain problems when choosing this option. You can find out if these disadvantages are significant by reading this article further.
Slow speed
A drawback of Ruby on Rails is that it is slower than other frameworks for data-centric applications. The framework is oriented to the programmer’s time rather than to raw speed, which is great for MVPs and prototypes. However, issues with performance might arise in production and lead to bottlenecks. It may also be useful to test the framework with a large set of parameters or data inputs and intricate computations to uncover its weaknesses. This can slow down the velocity of development in the long term.
Presence of strong competitors
Although Rails still has a very active community, many developers have shifted to new frameworks such as Node and Python. Advertisements for these technologies are already outpacing Ruby on Rails in some sections. In particular, the younger coders perceive Rails as outdated and are eager to develop their skills in currently popular stacks. New features and updates to the language may suffer due to the lack of talent, and the community that has formed around Ruby may also shrink.
Not supported by all web hosts
The costs of running Ruby on Rails applications are again higher than what is expected from other frameworks like PHP or Django. Therefore, there are few Rails hosting options to consider, particularly with low-cost shared hosting companies. The layered structure introduces additional complexities for deployments and operations. Again, it may be challenging for startups to host Ruby affordably during its initial stages of growth.
Applications Built on Ruby
Finally, we come to one of the main topics of this article, which will answer the question of many beginners – «what is Ruby programming language used for»? Many of you don't even realize that many popular applications today are based on the RoR framework. We want to tell you more about what types of applications are created using this programming language and give you real examples.
1. E-commerce Platforms
A good example of a Ruby on Rails application is the development of strong and scalable online shopping websites. Some of the popular e-commerce firms that employ Rails include Shopify, an e-commerce platform offering an all-in-one solution for the creation of online stores. Other examples are Etsy for selling vintage items and handmade products on the internet, and CD Baby for selling music created by independent musicians on the internet. The architecture also allows for easy handling of complicated processes such as payments, stock control, and order processing, which are crucial for any online retail store.
2. Education and E-learning Apps
Basically, Ruby on Rails is ideal for the construction of online learning platforms due to strong performance in iteration and teamwork. For example, Treehouse employs Rails to help people learn coding, create websites and apps, and launch businesses. Rails enable such platforms to develop individual lessons, coding quizzes, student panels, and much more.
3. Social Media
The current leading social media sites are some of the most popular applications developed using Ruby on Rails. These are Twitter, the microblogging site, and Mastodon, an open–source microblogging platform that is currently an alternative to Twitter. Diaspora is also a distributed social network. The framework can be used to build features such as feeds, real-time updates, notifications, and user profiles, which are typical in social applications.
4. Booking Platforms
Another area where developers are actively using the Ruby on Rails framework is to create a web application to quickly book houses, tickets, and even cars. A standout example is Airbnb, a web-based platform for arranging short-term accommodation and tourism services. Due to the flexibility of Rails and the concept of rapid prototyping, Airbnb was able to develop and improve its service for connecting hosts and guests around the world. Other Ruby Rails applications that rely on Rails include booking applications such as restaurant reservation websites, including OpenTable and event and ticket sites like Eventbrite. Real-time updates, availability, and pricing make the framework convenient for on-demand booking apps, and its capability to implement complex logic around these aspects is a bonus.
5. Entertainment Web Applications
Ruby on Rails is also used to create interactive online entertainment solutions. For example, Netflix adopted Rails to build essential parts of its streaming service after moving from mailing movies in DVD format to online streaming. For Netflix, Rails provided the ability to rapidly scale the offering of new content and add new capabilities to deliver tailored recommendations to millions of customers. The same can be said for Twitch, a game streaming platform that also utilizes Rails within its infrastructure for managing video distribution and community content among the quickly expanding user base. This allows for a quick and efficient update of the application to enhance the streaming quality and introduce new community features.
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Ruby on Rails vs Alternatives
When people say that Ruby on Rails is dead, they start looking at other alternatives. What are the options for desktop and web application development? In that case, it will be useful for you to read the comparison of RoR with other relevant alternatives. We've collected some useful solutions below!
Ruby on Rails vs JavaScript/Node.js
Ruby on Rails (RoR) provides developers with a framework structure to create web applications through a combination of convention-based configuration rules and the DRY practice. Startups, along with rapid prototyping teams, select RoR because it offers straightforward operation along with quick application development features.
One option within alternatives is JavaScript with Node.js framework. It becomes preferred because its asynchronous, non-blocking architecture matches the needs of real-time applications such as gaming and chat apps. Node.js enables developers to use JavaScript as a single programming language throughout client and server-side operations because it implements an event-driven framework for operation.
Ruby on Rails vs PHP/Laravel
Both Ruby and PHP have robust frameworks for developing web products. Laravel is the biggest name in the PHP world, simple and elegant like all PHP frameworks, with illustrated as well as an active community for support. Rails is superior at convention over configuration, and Laravel is among the strongest of PHP developers’ options due to its extensive ecosystem and tooling.
Ruby on Rails vs Python/Django
Ruby on Rails and Python (Django) are two amazing and powerful web development solutions attention grabbers. It’s well known that Rails takes a developer-friendly approach and allows experts to quickly develop. Django, being the flagship of Python, creates a base for scalable and secure applications along with providing a wealth of ready-to-use components. Rail and Django are both cohesive and streamlined experiences and are very suitable for taste developers as the way to talk with Python immediately. So, both frameworks are appropriate for different needs in web development. Today’s leading technology giants, such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify, all incorporate Python in their tech suites.
Why Is Ruby Great For Startups in 2025?
If you're an experienced developer, you've most likely heard that Ruby is often chosen by prospective startups in 2025. What is the reason behind this trend? It's simple really, because thanks to the Ruby framework, you can build a solid foundation for your startup. As your project grows, you can easily scale it using this programming language.
Among other reasons for its popularity among startups, we can highlight the open-source technology. This is why startups can significantly reduce the time to get to market quickly. This is especially true when your startup might have competitors with similar ideas. Undoubtedly, all of this will have a significant impact on savings, as many developers work for a rate per hour. The less time they work, the cheaper the finished product will be for you.
As we mentioned above, this programming language has a huge community. Therefore, it is easy to find help or get advice from other experienced professionals. You won't need to spend days looking for solutions to common problems. Many people don't know that there are many famous startups that have used Ruby on Rails. For example, the list of such startups includes Figma, Airbnb, and Stripe. They successfully got a strong foundation and then were quickly scaled into large projects, as you know them, in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is ruby on rails used for?
Ruby on Rails is a web application framework of choice due to its ease of use and adaptability and a large following. The primary areas where Ruby on Rails is implemented include online shops and auctions, social networking sites, project and to-do list managers, rental and training services. Due to its ability to support real-time features, the framework is ideal for developing social networks, enabling users to interact with them and share content. Other applications include project management systems that come equipped with features such as collaboration tools, file-sharing options, and use of dashboards, which are also developed using Ruby on Rails.
What are the main competitors of the RoR framework?
Ruby certainly has many competitors. The main ones are Django on Python and numerous frameworks on Node.js. The most popular of which are Express.js and Nest.js. Their positions are quite strong as in the world as a whole. To be honest, they are more popular than Ruby on Rails, which means there are more customers and more money to be made on them.
What is the working principle of Ruby on Rails?
Ruby on Rails is an MVC framework for web applications. It also means that the code is divided into three major parts that include the model, view, and controller which all do different things. Dividing responsibilities into MVC, Ruby on Rails assists in organizing code for developers. Modifications to one area do not impact on others and this makes applications less complex to manage. It controls the data and all the business logic. For example, a model can include code to implement authentication for users and their profiles. Hence, the view reveals the interface to the user. This could be HTML and CSS code to render forms and pages for login, registration, search, etc. The controller processes requests and returns responses. Therefore, it is a link between the model and the views.
What is the alternative to the Ruby language?
There are quite a few alternatives to this programming language nowadays and many of them are in great demand among developers. For example, we can highlight JavaScript, Django and Python among the main competitors of Ruby on Rails. Each programming language and framework has its own peculiarities and nuances to consider. However, the final choice depends on your goals and needs.
What is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails?
In fact, Ruby and Ruby on Rails work in tandem with each other to help developers build the right digital products. However, there is one key difference between the two. Ruby is a broader concept as it is a programming language for applications. Ruby on Rails is an entire framework that helps developers in creating applications with great functionality and features.
