Is Ruby on Rails Dead? Don't Believe the Rumors!

Ruby on Rails (or Rails for short) is a web application framework written in the Ruby programming language. It was initially released in 2004. Since then, it has quickly become one of the world’s most popular web frameworks. 

However, with the rise of modern frameworks like React, Node.js, and Python’s Django, there have been rumors: “Is Ruby on Rails dead?”. But is it true? Some may think this web framework is outdated, slow, or hard to scale. In contrast, others argue that it is still relevant, productive, and enjoyable to work with. 

So, who is right? Let’s seek the answer in this article.
 

Is Ruby on Rails Dead?

To put it simply, Ruby on Rails is not dead. But it is not the same as it was when it first came out. While Ruby on Rails’ popularity has declined somewhat in recent years, it is still a prevalent framework. In fact, it remains a relevant and powerful framework for certain types of projects, supported by a strong community and notable real-world applications.

Nowadays, many large and well-known companies still use it. According to a survey by Stack Overflow in 2022, Ruby on Rails is still the 12th most popular programming language in the world.

This web framework has evolved and adapted to developers’ and users’ changing needs and preferences. It has faced some challenges and criticisms along the way. However, it still has much to offer.
 

Why Do The Rumors That Ruby on Rails Is Dead (or Dying) Appear?

There are several reasons why some people may think that Ruby on Rails is dead or dying in the web development scene. Here are some of them:

It faces competition from other frameworks

This is not the only web application framework in the market right now. Many others offer similar or different features and benefits, such as Django, Laravel, Node.js, React, Angular, and Vue. 

Some of these have advantages over Rails regarding performance, scalability, flexibility, or popularity. Therefore, some developers may switch to these frameworks to meet their specific needs or preferences.

Read more: Django vs Rails: Which Is Better? 

It does not follow some of the current trends 

As a web development framework, it has its distinctive methodology that may not always match current trends or requirements. 

One such example is that it does not emphasize single-page applications (SPAs), which are gaining popularity in the web development scene. Moreover, it does not provide any support for native mobile development, an area increasingly in demand and interest. Additionally, a few developers may perceive this web framework as too rigid or restricted to meet their specific needs.

It has some drawbacks and challenges 

This is not a perfect framework. It has its drawbacks and challenges that may affect its usability and suitability. For example, it may have performance, memory consumption, or concurrency issues, especially when dealing with large-scale or complex applications. 

Additionally, it may have a steep learning curve for beginners or developers unfamiliar with Ruby or its conventions. It may also require more maintenance and updates to keep up with the latest versions and dependencies.

Others challenges:

• Competition:
  • Python/Django: Strong in AI/ML and data-heavy applications.
  • JavaScript/Node.js: Dominates full-stack development and real-time applications.
• Perception of scalability:
  • Critics argue that Rails struggles with very high traffic loads compared to modern asynchronous frameworks.
• Shrinking talent pool:
  • Fewer developers learning Ruby compared to Python or JavaScript.

6 Reasons Why Ruby on Rails is Still Relevant

This may not be the hottest or most trendy framework right now. However, it still has many advantages and benefits, making it a viable choice for web development, such as:

1. Speedy development
2. Mature and stable
3. Regularly updated
4. Hotwire integration
5. Large and active community
6. Used for many projects every day

Here are details of them:

1. Speedy development

Due to convention-over-configuration philosophy, Rails minimizes the need for developers to make repetitive decisions. Its built-in tools, such as scaffolding and generators, allow for quick prototyping and streamlined workflows. 

Additionally, the extensive library of pre-built gems provides ready-to-use functionalities, reducing the time spent on writing code from scratch. Rails also emphasizes clean, readable code, making collaboration and iteration faster.

2. Mature and stable

This web framework has been around for almost two decades, undergoing many iterations and improvements. It has a solid codebase, well-defined structure, and rich features and libraries (gems) covering most common web development needs.

In addition, it follows the principle of convention over configuration. As a result, the amount of code and configuration needed to create a web application is reduced.

3. Regularly updated

However, this is not a stagnant or obsolete framework. It is constantly updated and improved by its core team and contributors. The Rails latest version—8.0.1—was released in December 2024. Rails 8 lets you handle new features like job queues, caching, and pub/sub messaging with SQLite, thanks to 3 new database-backed adapters: 

• Solid Cable
• Solid Cache
• Solid Queue

This web framework also follows the principle of omakase. This means it provides a curated stack of best-of-breed technologies and libraries that work well together and are kept up to date.

4. Hotwire integration

Rails 8's integration of Hotwire has allowed developers to create fast, interactive frontends with minimal reliance on JavaScript frameworks, simplifying the development process. 

By leveraging techniques like Turbo and Stimulus, it delivers real-time updates and dynamic page interactions without compromising performance or adding complexity.

5. Large and active community

This web framework boasts a friendly and dynamic community of developers, users, mentors, teachers, bloggers, podcasters, conference organizers, and enthusiasts. The community produces abundant top-quality resources, including:  

• Books
• Tutorials
• Courses
• Blogs
• Podcasts
• Videos
• Conferences

Therefore, newcomers can learn quickly. And experienced developers have a place to enhance their skills. Additionally, it contributes to the development and maintenance of the web framework itself by submitting bug reports, feature requests, patches, and documentation.

6. Used for many projects every day

This is not a niche or obscure technology that only a few people use or know about. It is a widely used and popular framework that powers many web applications we use or encounter daily. 

Over 3.7 million websites use it as their framework. Approximately 180 thousand gems are compatible with it (source). These numbers show that this technology is a thriving and active framework with much demand and supply in the web development market.
 

Large Websites Use Rails As Their Main Technology

It is not only used by small startups or hobbyists. Many large and successful companies and websites rely on this web framework for their core business or mission. Some examples are GitHub, Shopify, Airbnb, Basecamp, Zendesk, Netflix, Stripe, Square, NASA, The New York Times, and BBC. Here's to deeply discover:

Shopify

Shopify leverages Ruby on Rails to power its rapidly growing e-commerce platform that supports millions of merchants globally. Rails can quickly build and deploy features is critical for Shopify’s continuous innovation and scalability. 

Its built-in tools for managing database transactions make sure a smooth experience for both merchants and customers, even during high transaction volumes. Moreover, the flexible Rails ecosystem allows Shopify to easily integrate custom solutions and third-party tools, making it a reliable framework for handling the complexities of global e-commerce operations.

GitHub

GitHub, one of the largest developer platforms in the world, uses Ruby on Rails for its clean and maintainable code structure, which is essential for managing its high-traffic platform. Rails’ robust tools for handling complex backend logic enable GitHub to support its repository management and collaboration features efficiently. 

Additionally, the productivity boost offered by Rails’ conventions allows GitHub’s development team to roll out new features quickly while maintaining platform stability, handling high traffic of developers worldwide.

Basecamp

As the birthplace of Ruby on Rails, Basecamp has always relied on the framework to maintain high developer productivity and deliver user-friendly project management tools. Rails’ modular and reusable components allow Basecamp’s team to rapidly prototype new features and iterate on them efficiently.

The simplicity and clarity of Rails make it easier to focus on improving the user experience while ensuring software quality and reliability. Basecamp’s continued success demonstrates how Rails can be a powerful tool for building and maintaining robust applications.

Cookpad

Cookpad, a global recipe-sharing platform, uses Ruby on Rails to create a dynamic and engaging experience for its users. Rails’ rapid development capabilities is the key to frequently update its platform and introduce custom features to meet the diverse preferences of its global audience. 

The scalability of Rails ensures that Cookpad can handle high volumes of user interactions and recipe uploads without compromising performance. With Rails, Cookpad can focus on fostering its community while maintaining a stable and efficient platform.

These companies have proven that they can scale, perform, and deliver high-quality websites that serve millions of users and customers.
 

Ruby Is Still Alive But Unpopular

Ruby is the programming language behind Rails. Therefore, it affects the popularity of this web framework. This is a dynamic and expressive programming language created in 1995 by Yukihiro Matsumoto—also known as Matz. It is known for its expressiveness, elegance, and productivity. 

Although Ruby is not dead, it is not as popular as other programming languages, like JavaScript, Python, Java, and C#. According to Stack Overflow’s survey in 2023, Ruby is only the 16th most popular programming language in the world.
 

Some people may think that Ruby on Rails is dying, but this is not true. Although there are some weaknesses, Rails still has much to offer and a loyal community of supporters who keep it alive and well.
 

What is Rails Used For? 

It is a general-purpose web application framework. Therefore, it can be used for various types of websites, including:

• E-commerce: Rails is a popular choice for building online stores, marketplaces, and platforms that deal with transactions, payments, inventory, shipping, and other e-commerce features. Some examples of e-commerce websites built with this technology are Shopify, Spree Commerce, and Solidus.
• Social media: Rails can be used for creating social networking sites, blogs, forums, and other platforms that involve user-generated content, interaction, and sharing. Some examples of social media websites built with this technology are Twitter, Medium, and Dev. to, and Discourse.
• Software as a service (SaaS): Rails are also suitable for creating web-based software applications that provide various services to users or businesses, such as project management, customer relationship management, content management, analytics, and more. 

Of course, you can use this web framework to create other types of websites as well, like educational, entertainment, gaming, and healthcare.

Conclusion

The rumors that Ruby on Rails is dead (or dying) are simply not true. The framework is still alive and well and is used by millions of developers worldwide. You can use it to build a wide variety of web applications. However, it is imperfect and faces challenges and criticisms regarding performance, scalability, and complexity.

All in all, if you are looking for a framework to build your next website, Rails is still a great choice. And Golden Owl Solutions is here to assisst you A-Z.

Golden Owl Solutions is one of the top IT outsourcing mastering Ruby on Rails in Vietnam, backed by 10 years of experience and a pool of ROR seniors. Nearly 70% of projects at GOS have been coded by this language from e-commerce websites to social networks, which received positive feedbacks from global clients. 

Contact us if you have any ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Which industries prefer Ruby on Rails?

E-commerce, project management, education platforms, and internal business tools.

Q2: Can Ruby on Rails handle large-scale projects?

Yes, companies like Shopify and GitHub are proof of its scalability.

Q3: What are the alternatives to Ruby on Rails?

Django for data-driven projects, Node.js for real-time apps, and Laravel for PHP enthusiasts.