A programming language is used to give a set of instructions to the computer so that we can get our expected outputs. This language is also used for web development, software development, mobile app development, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and more. There are almost 700 programming languages in the world. Every language has its pros and cons. Choosing the best language can be very hard. This article covers the 10 best programming languages to learn in 2025 based on popularity and job opportunities.
1. Python
Python is a high-level and beginner-friendly language. It’s the most user-friendly language. Its syntax is clear and almost like the English language. Python is an open-source language. Python is widely used in web development, software development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and more. According to a StackOverflow survey, Python is loved by 66.7% of developers. An average Python developer may earn $96,890/year.
2. JavaScript
JavaScript is widely used in front-end web development. For front-end development, 97.8% of websites use JavaScript. It’s also a beginner-friendly language. However, you must know basic HTML and CSS before learning JavaScript. It is used to create dynamic and interactive web pages. It lets web developers include interactive features like mouseover effects, clickable buttons, and motion graphics on their landing pages. According to a StackOverflow survey, JavaScript is loved by 58.3% of developers. An average JavaScript developer may earn $90,864/year.
3. SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is one of the most popular languages in the field of data science. It’s a language that communicates with databases. It’s used for retrieving and managing data in relational databases. SQL is beneficial to businesses. It’s a beginner-friendly language. According to StackOverflow, SQL is loved by 56.6% of developers. An average SQL developer may earn $88,938/year.
4. C++
C++ is the updated version of C. It’s one of the best programming languages in computer science. It’s a fast and powerful language. C++ is necessary for software developers and programming architects. It’s widely used in mobile app development, video game development, machine learning, and more. C++ is hard for beginners because of its complex syntax. C++ is also popular for competitive programming because it supports low-level manipulation to high-level abstractions. According to StackOverflow, C++ is loved by 43.4% of developers. An average C++ developer may earn $89,736/year.
5. Java
Java is called “write once, run anywhere.” Java can run on any operating system. It’s one of the high-level general-purpose programming languages. It can do everything, from software engineering to back-end web development. It’s widely used in financial and medical services for its strong security. In the Android app development industry, Java is in a leading position. Java has popular libraries like Spring and Hibernate which help developers to build applications. Java is perfect for learning programming as a beginner. According to StackOverflow, Java is loved by 44.1% of developers. An average Java developer may earn $93,118/year.
6. C#
C# is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft for the .NET framework. It’s very popular for its fast performance. It’s also easier to learn than C and C++. C# plays an important role in developing Windows applications. It can also be used for both Android and iOS apps. One of the most popular game engines, Unity, chose C# to develop their 2D and 3D games. C# is also in high demand for web development. Learning C# in 2025 is wise, but basic C and object-oriented programming knowledge is required. According to StackOverflow, C# is loved by 59.7% of developers. An average C# developer may earn $84,243/year.
7. Swift
If you want to go solely for iOS development, then there is no alternative to Swift. Apple developed Swift as an alternative to Apple’s primary language, Objective-C. Swift offers advanced features like an automatic memory management system. It’s also faster than Objective-C. As a result, for iOS development or Apple product development, the best programming language is Swift. And it’s also in high demand. According to StackOverflow, Swift is loved by 59.5% of developers. An average Swift developer may earn $89,736/year.
8. Go
Go is a relatively new language. It’s also called Golang. Developed by Google for use in large-scale software development, Go is one of the fastest-growing languages. Go is popular for cloud computing and microservices. Its simplicity and efficiency make it a more attractive choice for developers. In the job market, Go developers are in high demand. According to StackOverflow, Go is loved by 62.3% of developers. An average Go developer may earn $99,627/year.
9. PHP
PHP is mostly popular for server-side web development. It’s the primary language of the world’s most popular CMS, WordPress, and is used by more than 75% of all websites. For beginners, PHP is easy to learn, and its resources are readily available. PHP offers excellent frameworks like Laravel and Symfony, which help to build dynamic and scalable web applications. In terms of job opportunities, PHP is in high demand as it is an established industry standard. According to StackOverflow, PHP is loved by 37.3% of developers. An average PHP developer may earn $79,499/year.
10. Rust
Rust is famous for its safety and performance. It’s an ideal language for system-level programming. Rust is known for its ability to generate memory-safe code. Rust also provides excellent tools and libraries for game development that offer safety and performance. According to StackOverflow, Rust is loved by 86.1% of developers, making it the most loved language by developers. An average Rust developer may earn $97,527/year.
Conclusion
The programming world is developing day by day. Choosing the best programming language depends on your career goals. However, let’s see some programming languages for different career goals:
– Front-End: JavaScript
– Back-End: Python, PHP
– Web App: C#, Java, JavaScript
– Database: SQL
– Game Development: C++, Java, JavaScript
– Mobile App: Java, C++, Swift (iOS)
I hope this article will help you choose your first programming language. There is no end in the world of programming, so keep learning to grow yourself.