10 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2025

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Programming Skills are necessary in today's world, which is 2025, as the world comes up with software at an unprecedented speed, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to mobile app development and cloud computing. Almost everything nowadays is software-powered. Progress needs developers who can speak the most progressive and future-proof programming languages. 

For an absolute beginner, experimenting with tech through a programming language could give them a competitive advantage when looking for high-defining jobs. It can even be a great booster in terms of opening up another exciting career pathway. This article discusses the best programming languages to learn in 2025 based on trends, industry demand, and practical applications.

Python

Python is one of the easiest programming languages you can learn in 2025. The average annual salary of a software developer who uses the Python programming language is around $120,000, and there are about 19,000 types of jobs available in the field. We like Python and position it first on our list because it is a free, open resource, easy to integrate into applications, user-friendly, and has support modules.

Python can be easily used in machine learning and deep learning applications, and create 2D and 3D image applications, video games, and computational applications such as FreeCAD and websites, including YouTube. Python is easy to learn, both for beginners and those who already know programming languages.

You can even integrate Python with other programming languages such as C and C++. Start-up companies primarily use Python because it is easy to use and does not come with any cost.

• Key Features:
  
• Simple and readable syntax, ideal for beginners.
  
• Vast standard library and popular frameworks like Django, Flask, and FastAPI.
  
• Strong community support and extensive documentation.
  
• Use Cases:
  
• Web development, data science, machine learning, automation, AI, scripting.
  
• Salary Insights:
  
• The average salary in the U.S. ranges from $110,000 to $130,000 per year.
  
• There is a high demand for tech roles involving data and AI, with top opportunities in startups and large tech companies.
  

Java

After Python, you can name Java as one of the most popular programming languages globally that are also easy to learn and implement. Oracle Corporation operates Java, and with it, you can run web applications, servers, mobile applications, and so on effortlessly. It does not matter which platform you are using; Java is suitable for running on Windows, Mac OS, Ubuntu, iOS, Android, etc.

Java is an open-source programming language that you can also write and use in different places for different purposes. Due to the simplicity of its code, Java is used by many software developers worldwide, and sometimes, it is even the first choice before Python. Since Python does not allow developers to create mobile applications, professionals choose Java to work on different mobile app-related projects.

Apart from web applications and mobile applications, Java is used in Twitter, YouTube, Amazon, etc.

Learn about the Java features using the link: Java Features

• Key Features:
  
• Object-oriented and platform-independent via the JVM.
  
• Robust APIs and extensive libraries.
  
• Large-scale enterprise development support.
  
• Use Cases:
  
• Android app development, enterprise software, and backend systems.
  
• Salary Insights:
  
• U.S. average salary: $100,000 to $120,000 per year.
  
• Widely used in finance, banking, and enterprise sectors with strong job security.
  

JavaScript

If you have heard about Java, you probably have heard about JavaScript as well, and it is common to confuse Java and JavaScript as a beginner. The most important difference between Java and JavaScript is that Java works as an OOP programming language, and JavaScript is an OOP scripting language.

With Java, you can create applications that run on the server or VM, and with JavaScript, you can only build applications that run on the browser. If you combine JavaScript with Node.js, you can create web content for the server before the browser receives a page request. Therefore, you can build web browser-based games, chat apps, etc., that solely run on the browser.

You can use different types of add-ons to increase the functionality of JavaScript. Both Java and JavaScript are good programming languages and support mobile application development. And when you are combining Node.js with JS, users won’t download any additional apps to run the applications on their computer. It will work from the browser only.

Read this article to learn about the best JavaScript libraries: Best JavaScript Libraries

• Key Features:
  
• Event-driven, asynchronous programming with non-blocking I/O.
  
• Works seamlessly with frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and Node.js.
  
• Runs in both browser and server environments.
  
• Use Cases:
  
• Front-end and back-end web development, mobile app development (React Native), and game development.
  
• Salary Insights:
  
• The average salary in the U.S. is around $105,000 to $120,000 annually.
  
• Continuously high demand across full-stack and front-end developer roles.
  

C#

Microsoft developed C#, followed by C and C++, and this one became instantly popular in the 2000s because it was the first programming language that supported object-based programming. C# is a widely popular programming language that supports the .NET framework, but C# has more similarities with C++ than with Java. With C#, you can create compatible Android, iOS, and Windows applications.

C# also takes help from Microsoft Visual C++ for creating backend websites such as Visual Studio, MarketWatch, etc. If you want to learn C#, you need the basic knowledge regarding how to write code because complete beginners cannot learn this language due to its complexities than other programming languages.

The best thing about C# is that it supports cross-platform applications such as Windows, Android, and iOS, and you can create smartphone and enterprise applications with it easily. If you can compare C# to anyone, it would be Java, but these two are not related because one supports Sun Microsystems and is available for Microsoft’s .NET initiative. Java has a huge ecosystem, while C# creates software for Microsoft.

• Key Features:
  
• Type-safe, object-oriented language.
  
• Deep integration with Microsoft’s .NET ecosystem.
  
• Strong support for Windows desktop apps and cross-platform solutions.
  
• Use Cases:
  
• Game development (Unity), enterprise apps, Windows services, web apps (ASP.NET).
  
• Salary Insights:
  
• The average annual salary: $95,000 to $115,000 in the U.S.
  
• Demand is strong in gaming, enterprise environments, and Microsoft tech stack roles.
  

C and C++

C is the first and oldest programming language that has given birth to C# and C++. But those are not the only programming languages created through C. Java and JavaScript are the improved versions of the C programming language. Since C is the original programming language, many developers think that learning C will increase their knowledge in the field way beyond other programming languages.

But some developers save the hassle of learning C first and jump into Java, JavaScript, etc. But learning C will help you with some basic skills about C++ development, and not to mention that people still use C widely for development purposes. C and C++ developers can use their skills to create web applications, mobile applications, etc., because these programming languages are portable and support different platforms.

• Key Features:
  
• C: Low-level language with manual memory management.
  
• C++: Object-oriented, supports high-performance and real-time applications.
  
• Used in core system programming and embedded systems.
  
• Use Cases:
  
• Operating systems, embedded systems, game engines, performance-critical software.
  
• Salary Insights:
  
• Average salaries range from $100,000 to $120,000.
  
• Consistently needed in specialized areas like system architecture, gaming, and firmware.
  

PHP

Another open-sourced programming language is PHP, which was created way before Java and C# in 1990. Developers think that learning PHP is mandatory because popular websites like Facebook and Yahoo are based on PHP only. Developers mostly use PHP to maintain server-side scripts, but PHP also allows you to write command-line scripts.

If you have advanced-level knowledge regarding PHP, you can use that for desktop applications. Many beginner developers think that PHP is the easiest programming language of all. If you want any help regarding the same, you can get into many online communities dedicated mainly to PHP programmers.

• Key Features:
  
  • Server-side scripting language embedded in HTML.
    
  • It is a rich ecosystem with frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter.
    
  • Widely supported by hosting providers and CMS platforms.
    
• Use Cases:
  
  • Web development, content management systems (like WordPress), and API backends.
    
• Salary Insights:
  
  • Average U.S. salary: $80,000 to $100,000 annually.
    
  • Steady demand for maintaining and modernizing legacy web systems.

R

R is another open-sourced programming language that is slightly developed than the S language. You can use most codes written in S in the R language. R is perfect for machine learning applications and statistical analytics, and you can utilize this programming language in different operating systems, including Ubuntu, Windows, Android, etc.

Companies use R to utilize their vast datasets, and that’s why developers who are experts in R are in high demand. R can also help with linear and nonlinear modeling, virtualization, testing, calculation, analysis, etc. The datasets that R helps you monitor can be both structured and unstructured, but it is not an easy language to learnt for beginners.

R has some complexities, unlike other programming languages. Still, there are active communities of R developers who can help you with tools, coding skills, etc., when you are learning R.

• Key Features:
  • Specializing in statistical computing and graphics.
    
  • Wide range of libraries for data analysis and visualization (ggplot2, dplyr, caret).
    
  • Excellent integration with academic and scientific workflows.
    
• Use Cases:
  
  • Data analysis, statistical modeling, academic research, and bioinformatics.
    
• Salary Insights:
  
  • Average U.S. salary: $90,000 to $110,000.
    
  • High demand in academia, healthcare analytics, and financial modeling.
  • GO

GO is a programming language developed by Google in 2007 to serve Artificial Intelligence applications and web applications. But today, it has become a significant and leading programming language for providing simplicity. It also allows you to manage multicore network systems and substantial data sets.

Go, or Golang, is mainly used for helping developers manage a large number of data sets. For the same reason, it has become so popular among various private sectors and IT companies. Go comes with a user-friendly interface that beginners can easily use, and it also allows you to highlight syntax during application development.

Google, Dropbox, Uber, Twitter, etc., use Go as a programming language. But nowadays, Go is also becoming quite popular among data scientists for its smooth performance and coordination. You can use Go on distributed systems that are physically established in different networks. Go can help these machines to communicate with each other through code.   

• Key Features:
  
  • Compiled language with extremely fast execution.
    
  • Built-in concurrency via goroutines.
    
  • Simplified syntax and static typing.
    
• Use Cases:
  
  • Cloud-native applications, DevOps tools, microservices, and distributed systems.
    
• Salary Insights:
  
  • U.S. average salary: $115,000 to $135,000.
    
  • High demand in startups, cloud infrastructure, and backend systems.

Swift

Swift is one of the most popular programming languages and made it to the top 10 in the monthly TIOBE Index ranking some years back. Swift was developed by Apple in 2014 for Mac OS and Linux-based applications, mainly, but later extended its services to iOS. Swift is easy to learn and implement, and it needs only a little coding knowledge to get going.

You can use Swift with IBM Bluemix and IBM Swift Sandbox. Like C, developed by Microsoft, Swift is only used for Apple-related devices such as iOS and Mac OS apps. Swift allows you to highlight syntax, helps you run code quickly, and lets you develop apps on the server side and client side. The average annual income of developers who can create iOS or Mac OS apps using Swift is around $96,000 per year.

• Key Features:
  
  • Modern, safe, and expressive syntax.
    
  • Interoperable with Objective-C.
    
  • Designed by Apple for performance and safety.
    
• Use Cases:
  
  • iOS and macOS app development, watchOS and tvOS apps.
    
• Salary Insights:
  
  • Average annual salary in the U.S.: $100,000 to $120,000.
    
  • Strong job market with continuous demand in mobile-first businesses.

Kotlin

JetBrains developed Kotlin, or Project Kotlin, in 2011, but its first version was released in 2016. Kotlin can work with Java and other functional programming languages. Kotlin is mainly used for Android app development, web app development, desktop application development, server-side application development, etc.

We should have included Kotlin after we talked about Java because many people think it is a better alternative to the Java programming language. Most applications made in Google are developed with Kotlin, and the most prominent companies that use Kotlin as their preferred programming language are Pinterest, Coursera, etc. If you are a Kotlin programmer, you can expect to earn around $136,000 a year. 

• Key Features:
  
  • Concise and modern syntax with full Java interoperability.
    
  • Officially supported for Android development by Google.
    
  • Supports both object-oriented and functional programming.
    
• Use Cases:
  
  • Android applications, server-side development, and cross-platform apps (Kotlin Multiplatform).
    
• Salary Insights:
  
  • U.S. average salary: $100,000 to $115,000 per year.
    
  • Growing adoption in mobile and enterprise projects; highly favored for new Android apps.

Conclusion 

In 2025, learning a programming language is more than just skill acquisition, it is an intelligent career decision. If you're looking for a high-paying job, changing fields, or just about to embark on a journey into the world of tech, which language you choose to learn depends on current trends in the market and your own goals. Each one has its strengths: the versatility in hands-on applications of Python, for example, or the mobile powerhouse Kotlin. Keep your inquisitive heart beating, keep on learning, and let code be your passport to the future.