Is Ruby on Rails Still Powerful for Startups in 2025?
Ruby on Rails is in the world of web development, and among the Effectus team, the questions regarding the right tech-stack-choice always arises.
The right framework can be pivotal for startups, especially those looking to launch quickly and efficiently. Our team manages expertise in different tech stacks and they’re always eager to learn and try what the savvy world brings up.
So, would we still choose Ruby on Rails for a startup, an MVP, or as a game changer in 2025? Let’s reflect on the ongoing debate about the framework’s relevance in today’s tech landscape.
Ruby on Rails (RoR) is experiencing something of a renaissance, with many developers advocating for its continued use in startups due to its productivity advantages.
Our CTO Juan Pablo Mazza noted RoR’s capabilities in handling common tasks like database migrations and job processing, allowing teams to focus on business logic rather than infrastructure.
This point of view resonated with Effectus co-founder and RoR expert Alejandro Monetti who emphasized that Ruby on Rails enables rapid iteration, crucial for startups in their early stages.
But, there’s a caveat… while the framework offers powerful tools, it is essential to be cautious about over-abstracting and optimizing for “DRY” (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principles, which can lead to complex, hard-to-debug code.
Turning Complexities with Ruby on Rails Simplicity
The beauty of Rails’ “batteries included” philosophy, providing out-of-the-box solutions for various tasks.
This appeals to emerging startups aiming for MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) without getting bogged down in repetitive coding tasks.
One aspect seen in one project in Effectus is the productivity gained from Rails, Pablo shares his insights:
“It is a fully valid framework for scalability, as demonstrated by large companies like Shopify and GitHub. In our case, due to its convention over configuration principle, it allows us to develop a very clean and tidy codebase that other developers can quickly understand and use to develop new features!”
Pablo Durán – Dev. Team in Tilt365
Check this blog post for more.
On the other hand, developers with backgrounds in Go or Python, noted for their performance and simplicity, questioned the dependency-heavy approach of Rails.
They argued that while Rails is fantastic for prototyping, it might introduce complexities that can be hard to manage in the long term, particularly as projects scale.
That’s why we always need to team up!
Many Effectus clients and partners echoed the concern about hiring difficulties for Ruby on Rails developers compared to those proficient in JavaScript, React, React Native, Python, or Go.
A recurring theme was the diminishing number of new developers adopting Rails, which could make it increasingly challenging to build and maintain robust teams in the future.
On a brighter note, Effectus Software takes pride and highlights the vibrant Ruby expertise within walls and the wealth of resources available, being part of the RoR community as well, enhancing the appeal of Rails.
Rails remains a sound choice for experts, and those familiar with its principles.
That’s why we take pride on being RoR hosts once a year! Here’s a glimpse of the 2024 event ↓
To sum up
In conclusion, while opinions vary, Ruby on Rails remains a relevant and potent option for startups in 2025.
Particularly for those prioritizing rapid development and ease of use over niche performance needs. Its rich ecosystem, combined with strong community support, makes it a compelling choice for many.
However, startups should remain vigilant about the hiring landscape and the challenges of scaling as they grow. That’s when Effectus Software come into the game.
Align with our team’s expertise, and we’ll be a perfect match to your project requirements, and long-term vision.
Keep yourself posted… as technology continues to evolve, so do we!