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What's the Most Popular Tech Stack in the Past Two Years? (Global Survey)

Eason
7/10/2025

Developers are always paying close attention to tech trends. So what tools, languages, and technologies are dominating the global developer landscape right now?

At the end of 2024, Stack Overflow conducted a comprehensive developer survey — covering programming languages, databases, IDEs, AI coding assistants, and more.

Let’s dive into the data and see what’s hot — and maybe, what’s fading away.

1. Programming Languages (Multiple choice)

Languages vary by use case, but here are the most common backend development languages:

  • Python – 46.9%
  • Java – 30%
  • C# – 28.8%
  • C++ – 20.3%
  • PHP – 18.7%
  • C – 16.9%
  • Go – 14.4%

Note: This ranking is exactly the same as in 2023 — a sign of stability at the top.

2. Databases (Multiple choice)

Filtering for databases typically used for persistent storage:

  • PostgreSQL – 51.9%
  • MySQL – 39.4%
  • SQL Server – 27.1%
  • MongoDB – 25.2%
  • MariaDB – 17.1%
  • Oracle – 10.3%
  • DynamoDB – 9.2%

Note: Oracle moved up one spot from last year.

PostgreSQL continues to lead as the most widely used database, with a strong community and growing ecosystem.

3. IDEs (Multiple choice)

  • VS Code – 74%
  • Visual Studio – 29.7%
  • IntelliJ IDEA – 27.9%
  • Notepad++ – 24%
  • Vim – 21.6%

No surprises at the top — VS Code remains the undisputed leader. What stands out is how many developers still rely on classic tools like Notepad++ and Vim.

Note: The long-running Vim vs. Emacs debate seems to be fading. Emacs didn’t make the list.

4. AI Developer Tools (Multiple choice)

  • ChatGPT – 81.7%
  • GitHub Copilot – 44.2%
  • Gemini – 22.4%
  • Bing AI – 14%
  • Visual Studio Intellicode – 13.7%
  • Claude – 7.6%

The adoption of AI coding assistants is nearly universal now. More than 80% of developers reported using ChatGPT, and nearly half use GitHub Copilot.

The message is clear: It’s not AI that will replace developers — but developers who know how to use AI will lead the future.

Final Thoughts

Looking at the results of Stack Overflow’s 2024 Developer Survey, a few key trends stand out:

  • The backend language landscape has remained stable, with Python holding a strong lead.
  • PostgreSQL is firmly established as the top database, while legacy options like SQL Server and Oracle continue to be widely used.
  • VS Code dominates IDE usage, but lightweight tools like Notepad++ and Vim still have loyal followings.
  • AI tools are no longer optional — they’re becoming standard in the modern developer workflow.

Whether you're adopting these tools already or still exploring, this data offers a clear direction for where the developer ecosystem is headed.