2025 Stack Overflow Survey: Hottest Languages, Databases & AI Tools Unveiled

Stack Overflow released the 2025 Developer Survey, with over 90,000 developers participating. The full report covers developer demographics, technologies, AI, careers, and community; this article focuses on the technology and AI sections.

Most popular programming language: JavaScript Most “profitable” programming language: Zig Most popular database: PostgreSQL Most popular web framework and technology: Node.js Most popular IDE: Visual Studio Code Most popular AI search tool: ChatGPT Most popular AI development tool: GitHub Copilot Trust in AI tools: 39% somewhat trust AI tool usage scenario: 82.55% use to help write code Future AI tool usage expectation: developers expect workflow changes within a year

Most popular database PostgreSQL replaces MySQL

Among professional developers, 49.09% use PostgreSQL, up 2.61% from last year; MySQL holds 40.59% second, SQLite 30.17% third, DynamoDB 10.31% surpassing Oracle (10.06%).

For those learning programming, MySQL is used by 45.71%, MongoDB second (28.15%), SQLite third (26.93%).

Most popular programming language

JavaScript has been the most popular language for 11 consecutive years; Python overtakes SQL to become the third most popular. Other languages such as Bash/Shell, C, Ruby, Perl and Erlang all moved up one rank. Go and Rust also saw usage increases.

Most “profitable” programming language

The survey shows Zig developers have a median annual income of $103,611 (≈ ¥740,000). Zig is a general‑purpose language designed for stability, maintainability, and performance, aiming to replace C in system programming.

Lowest‑paid languages are PHP and Dart.

Compared with last year, Zig’s rise is notable, while Clojure, which topped salaries last year, fell to fifth place.

Note that few respondents work in China, so salary comparisons may not directly apply to Chinese developers.

Most popular web frameworks and technologies

Node.js and React.js are the two most popular web technologies. Among professional developers, their usage rates are comparable, while among learners Node.js is used more (52% vs 48%). Other popular choices include jQuery, Express, Angular, Next.js, and Vue.js.

Most popular integrated development environment

Visual Studio Code remains the top IDE, with usage rising from 75% to 81% of respondents.

Most popular AI search tool

ChatGPT is the most popular AI search tool, used by 83% of respondents, followed by Bing AI (20%), WolframAlpha (13%) and Google Bard AI (10%).

Most popular AI development tool

GitHub Copilot is the leading AI development tool, used by 55% of respondents, with Tabnine at 13% and AWS CodeWhisperer at 5%.

Trust in AI tools

Among developers who use or plan to use AI tools, fewer than 3% have high trust in their accuracy, while about 6% have very low trust. Approximately 39% express some trust, and 30% indicate no trust.

AI tool usage scenarios

The majority of developers use AI tools to help write code; other uses include debugging, documentation, learning codebases, and testing.

Expectations for future AI tool usage

Both professional developers and learners believe that development workflows will change within a year due to AI tools.