Writer: Surajdeep Singh
Editor: Lillian Castro
Reviewer: Christina Lewis
Here’s something you might not know about me: I have a degree in computer science and engineering. Now, I’m bringing this up because I used to love coding and think of it as an art.
So, while some of our peers might find it “boring,” they don’t know how satisfying it is to build a computer program and run it successfully.
For context, imagine your professor rejecting the assignment you spent hours writing just because you forgot to add a comma somewhere, and not telling you the reason behind the rejection. That’s programming for you. It’s pure dopamine when you get it right.
You’re probably a computer programmer or enthusiast, so without further ado, let’s explore the 20 most popular programming languages in the world.
Most Popular Programming Languages on Websites
When it comes to websites, these programming languages dominate. Even if you’ve never coded a day in your life, you may have heard of HTML or JavaScript. Below, I’ll shed some light on the programming languages that built today’s web.
| Language | Percentage of Websites |
|---|---|
| 1. JavaScript | 98.9% |
| 2. HTML | 96.9% |
| 3. CSS | 95.6% |
| 4. PHP | 74.2% |
| 5. SQL | 51% |
| 6. Ruby | 6.2% |
| 7. Java | 5.2% |
| 8. ASP.NET | 5.1% |
| 9. Scala | 4.4% |
| 10. Python | 1.2% |
1. JavaScript – Used By 98.9% of the World’s Websites
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. It’s the reason almost every website you visit feels like a smartphone app.
To put it into perspective, every time you click on a button and something happens, JavaScript is behind it. The best thing is that it’s a great programming language for coding beginners.
No wonder developers have used JavaScript to create approximately 98.9% of the world’s websites!2 Guess what? It was previously marketed as Java’s “younger brother,” LiveScript. Talk about rising from the remnants of any sibling rivalry!
2. HTML – Used By 96.9% of the World’s Websites
About 96.9% of the world’s websites use HTML. Why? It’s the architect of the World Wide Web. Web developers use HTML to lay the “bricks” of a website, then use languages like CSS and JavaScript to build it into a “home.”
Over the years, HTML has undergone several updates and is currently on its latest version, HTML5 — about 94.6% of websites use it. I wonder why 1.1% of websites prefer older HTML versions (like XHTML)?3
3. CSS – Used By 95.6% of the World’s Websites
CSS, also known as Cascading Style Sheets, is another prominent frontend programming language. You can think of CSS as the stylist of the internet — about 95.6% of websites use CSS.4
I guess this is where I tell you that JavaScript, CSS, and HTML are like the Three Musketeers.
Let’s just say they’re the pillars of web development, working in conjunction to create almost everything we see on a webpage.
As its name suggests, CSS is in charge of styling HTML tags, which include the text in a document, the heading, and other elements. In short, it’s responsible for everything you see on a website.
Much like JavaScript, CSS is an easy language to learn. Two of its most popular frameworks include Bootstrap and Animate, which have 16.1% and 9% web usage rates, respectively.5
4. PHP – Used By 74.2% of the World’s Websites
You know what? I’m going to brand PHP a “Musketeer” too — it has also helped the internet become what it is today.
I mean, around 74.2% of websites use it, and it’s been around since June 1995 (JavaScript was also introduced in 1995).6 Let’s show it some respect. So what if it’s a backend language? No musical is complete without the backstage crew.
To give you an example, whenever you submit a login form or buy something online, it’s likely that PHP is the one pulling all the strings to ensure the right webpage is delivered back to you.
5. SQL — Used By 51% of the World’s Websites
Structured Query Language (SQL) is one of the top programming languages for database management. You can think of it as a librarian with impeccable memory — it allows developers to access and manipulate data quickly.
Teams can use SQL in various environments, from eCommerce applications to data warehouses.
Facebook, for example, still uses MySQL (with in-house optimizations). YouTube, Netflix, and Shopify, too, use MySQL in some shape or form — more than 51% of the world’s websites use SQL.7
If you’re looking for more advanced SQL features, I recommend PostgreSQL.
6. Ruby – Used By 6.2% of the World’s Websites
Yukihiro Matsumoto created Ruby in 1995, blending ideas from five other programming languages: Perl, Smalltalk, Lisp, Ada, and Eiffel. I know why he named it Ruby: it’s a “jewel” in the crown of developers.
No, seriously. Since its release, Ruby has gone on to become one of the most used backend languages in the world. Why? I’ve used it myself, and I can confirm its human-friendly syntax makes coding feel like you’re writing a story for a friend. Okay, maybe that’s a little over the top. But you get what I mean!
Ruby = developer-friendliness. You might be wondering: “Why do just 6.2% of websites use it then?”8 While Ruby is cleaner, PHP is just about everywhere. I mean — WordPress is based on PHP, and it’s behind approximately 43.5% of all websites.9
7. Java – Used By 5.2% of the World’s Websites
Similar to JavaScript and PHP, Java was introduced to the programming world in 1995. Only 5.2% of websites use Java, but don’t let the percentage sway you — Java is still a prevalent server-side programming language.8 I have a soft spot for it — it was the first coding language I ever learned!
Its popularity can be attributed to its “write once, run anywhere” principle, which allows developers to run compiled Java code on any platform without recompiling it.
And trust me when I say it can run on anything — from your laptop to ATMs to giant enterprise servers. You name it. Java has built an extensive online community over the years, where programmers can support one another along their development journey.
8. ASP.NET – Used By 5.1% of the World’s Websites
Woohoo! C# is the first coding language on my list that was launched in the 21st century, in June 2000. But wait: we’re supposed to be talking about ASP.NET, right?
C#, ASP.NET, and .NET are closely related.
C# is the primary programming language for .NET development, and ASP.NET is the web framework within the .NET ecosystem used to handle backend tasks for dynamic websites. Until 2016, ASP.NET development was limited to Microsoft infrastructures.
2016 onwards? Microsoft thought, “Hey, what about Linux and macOS?” Boom — ASP.NET Core was born. Today, about 5.1% of websites leverage ASP.NET.8
9. Scala – Used By 4.4% of the World’s Websites
At this stage, you’re right to wonder why there are only three predominant frontend programming languages and so many backend options.
The answer is simple: your web browser only understands HTML (for structure), CSS (for styling), and JavaScript (for interactivity). You don’t really have a choice — these are web standards.
Now, in the backend, code runs on your web server — not on the devices of your users. What does this mean? You can choose any backend programming language you like. One option is Scala. Created by Martin Odersky, Scala entered the programming field in 2003.
Modeled after Java, Scala is highly compatible with its predecessor and shares many of the same traits. But like most look-alikes, you’ll find clear differences upon closer examination. Unlike Java, Scala supports functional programming, offers more concise syntax, and emphasizes readability.
But, of course, Java wins the popularity contest — about 4.4% of the world’s websites use Scala.8
10. Python – Used By 1.2% of the World’s Websites
Keep in mind, I’m talking about the most popular programming languages on websites — not in the world. Because if that were the case, Python would be right up there — it’s used by 51% of the developer community.7
Although its website usage (1.2%) may seem small compared to others on this list, Python is still widely used in backend development and offers a great launching pad for beginner programmers.8
Its code readability, ease of use, and flexibility make coding less intimidating and more accessible. That means coders who commit to learning its curriculum can pick it up quickly and start building backend applications in no time.
Most Popular Programming Languages Used By Developers
Now I’m shifting gears. These next 10 programming languages are popular with developers worldwide, but aren’t exclusively used on websites. You’ll notice the numbers paint a different picture.
| Language | Percentage Used By Developers |
|---|---|
| 11. TypeScript | 38.5% |
| 12. C++ | 23% |
| 13. C | 20.3% |
| 14. GO | 13.5% |
| 15. Rust | 12.6% |
| 16. Kotlin | 9.4% |
| 17. Assembly | 5.4% |
| 18. Swift | 4.7% |
| 19. R | 4.3% |
| 20. Visual Basic | 4.2% |
11. TypeScript — Used By 38.5% of Developers
TypeScript is in the top five of most developer toolkits — around 38.5% of developers use it.7
TypeScript sounds a lot like JavaScript because Microsoft created it as a superset of JavaScript. Since it’s a typed version of JavaScript, developers can use it to create anything JavaScript-based.
Its static typing capabilities allow users to take their JavaScript-based projects a step further, enabling them to build for both client-side and server-side execution as well as large-scale applications.
Although it’s a newcomer to the programming world — released in 2012 — TypeScript has gained much traction in its short history. I mean, its usage rate is pretty impressive considering it has been around for just more than 10 years!
12. C++ — Used By 23% of Developers
C++ is another computer programming language I learned in school, and I aced it. Jeez, I should have become a programmer!
Anyway, what were you doing in 1983? That year, Bjarne Stroustrup developed C++ as a modified version of C. His modifications included new features such as templates, classes, and virtual jobs.
And it’s safe to say it’s one of the top programming languages — approximately 23% of developers use it.7.
You won’t even believe which programs and platforms use C++. PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Adobe Photoshop are just a few.
Its impressive computing performance makes it a stellar candidate for system programming and embedded systems, showing why many developers use it for game engines, telecommunication networks, and multimedia software.
13. C — Used By 20.3% of Developers
Speaking of C, it was the language in the 1970s. You can consider it to be the “father” of C++ and C#. And the godfather of numerous programming languages — it has influenced the development of Java, JavaScript, and Python. Its aura is unmatched.
Created by Dennis Ritchie in 1972, C simplified the development of complex software by making code more human-friendly and less like machine code.
Although it’s older than most programming languages on my list, C is still a valuable choice in developer circles — approximately 20.3% of them use it.7
14. Go — Used By 13.5% of Developers
On your marks, get set, Go! Google developed Go in 2009 as a solution to large systems programming issues. Go has since evolved into a multipurpose tool, ideal for web applications, cloud-based platforms, and containers.
Go takes after C and C++ and shares many of their qualities, including familiar syntax and features such as structural typing.
Go is one of the fastest-growing languages in the developer community, due to its ease of use and agility. Its user-friendly structure and syntax familiarity make it a top choice for developers — about 13.5% of developers have Go in their toolkit.7
Companies like Twitch and Uber, for example, leverage Go within their organizations. Quite the endorsement.
15. Rust — Used By 12.6% of Developers
Rust is never going out of style — at least not in the near future. Graydon Hoare invented Rust in 2015, and it has since become a favorite in the developer wheelhouse — approximately 12.6% of developers use it.7
A multi-paradigm and general-purpose programming language, Rust is loved for its speed, concurrency, and memory safety.
Its high-performance and versatile structure allows developers to work on various programs, including game engines, operating systems, and browser components.
Another highlight of Rust is its friendly compiler, which provides helpful error messages, empowering programmers to write more effective code. I feel like I should learn Rust…
16. Kotlin — Used By 9.4% of Developers
Kotlin is another one of the more modern languages on my list of the most popular programming languages. Designed by JetBrains in 2011 and released in 2016, it’s a cross-platform, general-purpose programming language with type inference.
Kotlin mirrors several qualities of Java (surprise, surprise) and is highly interoperable with it. Some notable brands that leverage Kotlin include Pinterest, Coursera, and Postmates.
Newest Programming Languages
| Programming Language | Initial Stable Release |
|---|---|
| Elixir | 2014 |
| Rust | 2015 |
| Kotlin | 2016 |
| Julia | 2018 |
| Nim | 2019 |
| ReScript (ReasonML) | 2020 |
| Bicep | 2021 |
| Crystal | 2021 |
| V | 2023 (early stable use) |
| Zig | 2024 (gaining stability) |
Anyway, did you know Google uses it for most of its Android development? I guess that’s where the chunk of the 9.4% of developers who use it comes from!7 Kotlin is easy to learn, less error-prone, and packed with features.
17. Assembly — Used By 5.4% of Developers
Talk about “assembling” the perfect list. Assembly is significant — it helped revolutionize how programmers interact with computers.
It’s easily the oldest programming language I’ve talked about so far. Making its way into programming in 1949 (yes, the 1940s!), Assembly was designed to simplify machine code for writing instructions for processors. It’s a low-level language, meaning it’s as close as you can get to machine code.
Assembly operates as a bridge between computer hardware and high-level languages. It communicates with underlying hardware using an assembler, which translates it into machine language.
Although Assembly is not widely used, it’s still helpful in some cases for speed optimization and driver development — around 5.4% of software developers use it.7
18. Swift — Used By 4.7% of Developers
This one’s for the “Swifties!” Apple developed Swift in 2014 as a replacement for Objective-C, C, and C++. That makes Swift the newest programming language on my list!
Its development gave Apple a more streamlined language, enabling users to create programs for mobile devices and computers. This move helped improve functionality across the board for Apple software development.
Swift is now the primary language for iOS, OS X, watchOS, tvOS, and Linux development at Apple. It’s highly compatible with Apple frameworks and works well with any existing Objective-C code for Apple systems.
Other highlights of Swift include high performance, safety, and its focus on software design. No wonder about 4.7% of developers use Swift.7
19. R — Used By 4.3% of Developers
I remember reading about R in uni — we had a chapter on big data.
Statisticians Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman created the programming language in 1993. The duo designed the open-source programming language for two purposes: statistical computing and data visualization.
With big data’s ascent in modern society, little did they know R would become a cornerstone for data miners and analysts — or maybe they did. I expect the number of developers who use R to increase from the current standard of 4.3% soon.7
R’s structure and libraries allow developers to incorporate various statistical and graphical techniques, including clustering and linear and nonlinear modeling. Programmers in data industries can find R valuable for statistical analysis and building high-quality data visualizations.
20. Visual Basic — Used By 4.2% of Developers
Visual Basic entered the playing… er… programming field the same year as Python, in 1991. Microsoft created Visual Basic to simplify the coding process by adding drag-and-drop menus and functionality.
With Visual Basic, developers can drag and drop scripts simultaneously, which makes changing large pieces of code easier. Let’s just say Visual Basic is rarely used now.
I mean, you can basically do everything Visual Basic does in C#. That said, it’s still a valuable tool for .NET developers (yep, .NET again). About 4.2% of the world’s software developers use Visual Basic.7
Run With Programming
Programming has come a long way — from low-level machine code languages to high-level, readable code on modern computers. I mean, I’ve covered the most popular programming languages from the 1940s to the 21st century in this guide, so you know exactly what I’m talking about!
Developers now have an abundance of programming languages to run their workloads and build their applications.
If you’ve reached this stage of my guide, I’m convinced you’re a software developer — at least a budding one. If you’re just getting started, try to master at least one — I recommend Python.
Sources and Other Reading
- https://siteefy.com/how-many-websites-are-there
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cp-javascript/
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/ml-html5
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/ce-css
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/overview/css_framework
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/pl-php
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/793628/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-languages
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/overview/programming_language
- https://w3techs.com/technologies/details/cm-wordpress
