2024 was fast and furious in terms of technology—from the widespread adoption of AI to cybersecurity crises and cloud breakdowns at Microsoft and AWS. Whatever else you can say about the past year or the current moment in which we find ourselves, it’s clear that technology is changing rapidly. And 2025 will be no different. Here are the 10 top software development trends you can expect to see in 2025.
1. AI will enable faster coding and testing
It seems like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days—OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been followed by similar generative AI models like Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Meta’s Llama—and AI isn’t going away in 2025.
In the software development field, AI models like GutHub’s Copilot autocompletes code for programmers using Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, and Go. Meanwhile, programs like Selenium and Code Intelligence offer AI-powered testing that can analyze your source code and identify any vulnerabilities, pointing out the exact line of code that’s to blame.
While generative AI has its fair share of problems, many of which are still being ironed out, there’s no question that it makes for faster coding—and simplifies the coding process for non-professionals, which leads us to the next trend.
2. Low-code and no-code will complement traditional development
One effect of generative AI in software development is the rise of low-code and no-code platforms. Increasingly, companies are using platforms like Bubble or Microsoft’s Power Apps to create software without hiring a professional programmer.
Like other AI solutions, these platforms still can’t replace a skilled developer, especially when it comes to complex projects that require customization or integration. As we move into 2025, low-code and no-code platforms will likely complement traditional software development, rather than replace it.
3. Quantum computing will become more achievable
Quantum computing isn’t a new idea, but while it’s been posited as a tool for faster processing since the 1980s, the technology to make it a widespread reality hasn’t existed…until now. IBM launched its 433 qubit quantum computer in 2022 and expects to have an even more impressive, 4,000 qubit model out by 2025. Alphabet is also working on its quantum computing game, as are several other companies.
So, will quantum computing finally become a reality in 2025? While the next year will likely see significant strides made toward that goal, a fully functional quantum computer would need millions of qubits. That’s not likely to happen for a few more years.
4. 5G will support better apps and IoT systems
Unlike quantum computing, 5G is a technology that’s already been realized. The fifth generation mobile network is about 100 times faster than its predecessor, 4G, allowing for high-speed data transfers and more reliable connections. This, in turn, opens the door to IoT solutions like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and connected healthcare systems.
When it comes to app development, 5G allows you to create a better in-app experience without sacrificing performance or speed. It also supports smoother augmented and virtual reality experiences. Due to the increasing adoption of 5G, we’ll likely see more of these types of applications in 2025, along with more IoT solutions.
5. IoT will enable smart cities
Speaking of IoT, 2025 will likely see an increased use of IoT (Internet of Things) technology to power smart cities. This involves using sensors to collect data from traffic lights, parking meters, trash cans, and public transportation—which the city can then use to reduce traffic congestion, improve energy usage, and ensure its citizens’ safety.
Manufacturers are also using IoT to power smart factories—in which sensors gather data from machinery and transmit it to a machine-learning system for analysis. This helps to reduce waste, predict maintenance needs, and make factories more efficient overall.
6. Cybersecurity will ramp up to counter deepfakes
With virtual crime on the rise, the cybersecurity industry will likely grow in 2025. One cybersecurity threat that’s become especially prevalent is deepfake technology, which uses AI to craft fake images, audio, and videos. Sometimes, these deepfakes can be impossible to spot.
But if the problem arises from AI, so does the solution. Cybersecurity professionals are increasingly using AI and machine learning to find abnormal patterns and predict future threats. As virtual crime becomes more sophisticated, so will cybersecurity.
7. Extended reality will expand outside of gaming
With the emergence of 5G and other new technology, we’re likely to see an increase in virtual and augmented reality experiences in 2025. These two technologies, together with mixed reality, have now become so common that they’re classified under the umbrella term “extended reality.”
And as the supporting technology behind extended reality improves, it’s making its way from gaming into other sectors—like real estate, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing. In retail, augmented reality allows for virtual try-ons; in healthcare, virtual reality enables doctors to simulate surgeries; and in manufacturing, extended reality can improve workplace training. All this means we’ll likely see more software applications that rely on extended reality in the years ahead.
8. Edge computing will become more popular
As businesses deal with larger amounts of data than ever, the search for an efficient, sustainable way to handle that data has led to cloud computing. But cloud computing can be expensive and resource-intensive, and as we saw in 2024, it’s not always reliable. To solve this problem, enter edge computing.
Edge computing processes data close to its source, rather than from a central data center, which allows data to be processed in real time, avoiding delays that can slow down important decisions and workflows. With the rise of smart cities and IoT solutions, edge computing is expected to grow in 2025.
9. More businesses will use blockchain
Blockchain has been making waves for several years now, but it’s only recently that it’s expanded beyond finance into other sectors. Originally created to enable Bitcoin, blockchain tech is now being used in industries like healthcare and manufacturing to improve security and transparency.
Because blockchain documents each step of a process, it helps prevent fraud and tampering while holding companies accountable. For example, in healthcare, blockchain can protect sensitive medical records and verify drug supply chains to prevent patients from receiving counterfeit products. As more industries realize the benefits of blockchain, it’s likely to find its way into more software development applications than ever.
10. More developers will use modern programming languages
Traditional programming languages like Python and JavaScript may still be the standard, but modern programming languages speak to the specific challenges of emerging technology, cloud applications, and mobile application development. Some of these languages include Rust (which prioritizes speed and safety), Go (which is ideal for cloud computing and backend systems), and Kotlin (which is mainly used for Android applications). More developers are likely to use these languages in 2025.
The more things change
In 2025, as new tech solutions emerge, current technology will be forced to improve in order to support that tech. But while we may see some dramatic changes during the years ahead, some things will remain the same: traditional languages like Python and JavaScript will continue to be the norm, and experienced software developers who understand the need for strong cybersecurity and a reliable backend will still be in demand. If you work in software development, now is a great time to diversify your skillset and learn about some of these emerging technologies, so you can take whatever 2025 throws at you.
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