Top 15 Software Development Trends to Look Out for In 2024

Software development industry is transforming quickly due to constant advancement in technologies.

New tools, frameworks, languages, and methodologies are evolving quickly.

Thus staying current with the latest trends in software development is essential to craft high-quality software.

Hence, this blog will discuss the latest software development trends that help you stay informed about innovations in software development services.

Further, it will help you scale your software development aligned with the current market trends.

So, let us dive in and explore the top 15 software industry trends in the next section.

Top Trends in Software Development

Staying updated with trends not only help you stay informed but also help you adapt to evolving technologies and methodologies quickly.

Hence, to remain competitive and to make informed decisions on your software development project you need to be aware of the latest trends in software development.

This is why we decided to list 15 software trends that contribute to the success of your projects in the current evolving tech landscape.

Here is the list of 15 latest software development trends:

#1. Software Development Using Open AI or Generative AI

Developing software using OpenAI and generative AI capabilities has gained significant attention recently.

The OpenAI Chat GPT and generative AI apps like Elevenlabs are trending software, making the software development process quicker, easier, and more efficient.

Moreover, OpenAI has gone above and beyond expectations, reshaping the landscape of software development by creating highly effective and efficient software applications while reducing development timelines and costs.

OpenAI’s technology has undoubtedly become a global trend that brought remarkable transformations across various domains, including NLP-based applications, computer vision systems, and recommendation systems within software development.

#2. Human Augmentation – The Upcoming Transformation

Fond of movies like Captain America, Iron man, or Termination?

Then you might know how Iron man and Captain America have pushed human natural capabilities.

However, we are not going that far, in upcoming years we will see advanced technology will replace human capabilities through brain chips and wearables.

Moreover, human augments are one of the most significant future technology trends that are poised as the game-changer in software development, AI, and industries associated with technologies.

Wearables like smart glasses provide developers with hands-free access to information, code, documentation, and real-time data.

This allows them to reference information or documentation without constantly switching between screens, enhancing efficiency.

Furthermore, Elon Musk, CEO of Neuralink, has received approval to initiate trials for implanting brain chips in humans.

This development has the potential to transform numerous industries, with a particularly significant impact on software development.

In this scenario, developers would only need to think about the keystrokes they wish to input via a keyboard.

The implanted chip would then automatically translate these thoughts into words, greatly expediting the coding process and streamlining software delivery.

#3. Edge Computing – The Shifting Trends

Rather than relying solely on centralized data centers or cloud services edge computing brings data analyzing and processing closer to the resource.

Imagine you have a Mathematics expert friend right next to you, always ready to help with math problems.

So, instead of waiting for an internet connection to send your math questions far away and then get answers back, your friend can quickly and directly provide solutions.

This is similar to how edge computing processes data locally, right where it’s needed, for faster and more immediate results, just like having your knowledgeable friend nearby for instant assistance.

The need for edge computing increases as the world needs quick assistance in the ever- evolving software development world.

Edge computing are shifting trends in software development in following ways:

• It empowers devices like sensors, servers and drones to perform real-time analytics.
• Enhance security by keeping sensitive data local, reducing the risk of data breaches.
• Help in quick decision making autonomously without relying on central servers.
• Some edge devices have capability to work without an internet connection.
• Edge reduces latency by reducing the distance the data needs to travel.

Hence, with such capabilities edge computing enhances autonomy in software development, increases security, and delivers apps faster.

#4. PWA – Progressive Web App Still Trending

PWA is a progressive web app that was introduced in 2015.

However, it is still trending as web development trends in 2024 due to its significant cost efficiency, cross-platform compatibility, and improved web standards.

Progressive web applications include Twitter lite, Starbucks, Tinder, and Spotify.

However, the reasons behind developing PWA’s by such famous brands are:

• Capable of running on almost all platforms like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
• Cost-effective and can develop faster than traditional mobile and web apps.
• It is easily discoverable through search engines, which makes it more accessible.
• Enhances user experience through faster loading times and smooth UI/UX.
• Capability to work offline or in low-connectivity situations.
• Easy to maintain and can adopt changes quickly.

#5. Low Code/No Code Software Development – The Innovative Tool

Low code/no code is the fastest growing trend in software development.

It provides a variety of tools that help to develop a custom application for businesses to the person without having coding knowledge.

The low code/ no code concept empowers non-technical people to become a creator and develop apps to cater the needs and requirements of their businesses.

The concept of low code/ no code is not new software technology, but it is trending due to increased interest of IT departments and development firms.

As it requires less time to develop due less coding or no coding it has become the ideal choice of developer to develop apps for small businesses quickly.

Moreover, with the prebuilt function and components allow developers and even non-technical people to drag and drop fields onto your application, so you don’t have to do any coding.

It minimizes the lengthy hand coding process and is able to integrate existing applications with ready to use API’s and connectors.

#6. Augmented Reality – Trend that is Becoming Necessity

Due to the ability of enhancing user experience Augmented Reality(AR) has developed significant popularity in the software development field.

Moreover, AR has found tremendous success in gaming and AR supported applications like Microsoft HoloLens, Snapchat, and Pokémon GO.

According to Statista, it is anticipated that by 2024, there will be roughly 1.7 billion mobile augmented reality (AR) user devices globally.

This represents a significant increase from the 200 million devices observed in 2015.

Hence, the trend of AR supportive mobile apps will also surge and continue in 2024 due to surge in anticipation of mobile AR user devices.

So, AR is not only a trend but became a necessity for app development and to keep users engaged with your brand.

Some of the key factors contributing to the trendiness of AR in software development include:

• AR is used in education to make learning fun and interactive, like exploring the human body or stepping into historical events.
• AR allows developers to create immersive and interactive user interfaces, providing users with engaging and memorable experiences.
• AR is aiding in medical training and surgery planning by providing 3D visualizations and virtual simulations.
• Brands are leveraging AR for interactive and engaging marketing campaigns, allowing consumers to interact with products in a virtual space.

However, including the capabilities of AR across your software is a complex process, it requires the expertise and experience of augmented reality app development team for successful integration and development of AR embedded software development.

#7. Virtual Reality – The Future of Software Development

Virtual reality in software development creates a simulated 3d environment in which users immerse themselves and interact with the digital world.

VR software typically relies on specialized hardware, such as VR headsets and motion controllers, to provide users with a fully immersive experience.

VR offers unparalleled immersion, making users feel like they’re physically present in a digital environment.

This immersive quality enhances user engagement and creates unique experiences.

According to Statista, the global VR software B2C industry is expected to see its revenue rise to approximately $5.45 billion by the year 2027.

Hence, VR is considered as the future of software development and also one of the most trending technologies in the field of software industry.

However, virtual reality software development needs specialized skills and expertise.

Hiring experienced virtual reality app development company is crucial to ensure the successful execution of VR projects and the delivery of immersive and high-quality experiences to users.

#8. Cloud Based Software Solution – Trend that will Not Stagnant

Cloud-based software solutions have been a transformative trend in the technology industry, and have been trending since it has been introduced.

Cloud-based software eliminates the need for extensive on-premises hardware and maintenance.

Companies can pay for what they use, reducing overall IT costs. Moreover, due to its flexible principles it adapts to the changing demands and growth quickly.

Moreover, it is the most cost-effective modern trend that mitigates the expense on overall IT cost, maintenance, and investing in new infrastructure.

The reasons that makes cloud computing a trend in software development are:

Remote access to software from anywhere.

Real-time collaboration features make the software development process easier regardless of the location.

Cloud computing can be more energy-efficient than on-premises solutions since data centers can optimize resource usage.

Cloud computing includes robust backup and disaster recovery options, ensuring that data is safe and recoverable in case of unexpected events.

Cloud computing enhances data protection and reduces the risk of breaches through built-in security capabilities.

#9. Python – The Next Big Thing

According to Statista, Python is the third most used programming language by developers with 49.28%.

Due to versatility in language Python has become an ideal choice of beginners and experienced developers moreover, it has become trends in software development due to its rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks.

Further, due to its clean and straightforward syntax, Python language can easily be used to develop software, data analysis tools, machine learning software, artificial intelligence devices, scientific computing apps, and more.

Python is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions.

This cross-platform compatibility simplifies the development process and ensures that Python applications can run on different operating systems.

Such versatility, clean syntax, and cross-platform ability makes Python language a new emerging software development language along with JavaScript and HTML.

#10. Expansion of IoT – Breaching New Heights

IoT involves connecting everyday objects and devices to the internet, allowing them to collect, exchange, and analyze data leveraged to make intelligent decisions and automate processes.

These processes aid the healthcare, manufacturing, and agritech sectors in creating tools and software that enhance their ability to tackle challenges effectively.

Here’s how IoT is transforming various software industries and becoming trend breaching new heights.

• The number of IoT devices is rapidly increasing across various industries, from smart home gadgets to industrial sensors.
  
  This growth creates a demand for software solutions to manage and harness the data generated by these devices.
• IoT software is tailored to specific industries for example healthcare for remote patient monitoring, agriculture for precision farming, and manufacturing for predictive maintenance.
  
  Hence customized IoT solution required to address unique challenges in each sector.
• IoT benefits from AI and machine learning algorithms that can analyze IoT data for patterns and anomalies.
  
  Software developers integrate these technologies into IoT applications to enable automation and predictive capabilities.
• IoT software allows for the remote monitoring and management of devices. This capability is valuable for diagnosing issues, performing updates, and ensuring device health.

#11. Microservice Architecture – A Modern Approach

If you are developing a large software application, it becomes challenging to perform changes and updates.

To avoid such challenges of updating microservice architecture is becoming a new trend in software development.

In this microservice architecture approach, a complex application is broken down into a set of smaller, manageable services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.

Such a software development approach allows software developers to create independent components or modules of the application.

Moreover, it easily allows developers to make changes and updates in software development.

Hence, for the development of enterprise-level applications, microservices are preferred and trending due to their reduced development time, flexibility, and inherent scalability for future needs.

#12. Blockchain: More Security in Software Development

Blockchain is one of the latest technologies in the software industry that makes security trends due to its lethal protection capabilities and transparency in security mechanisms.

If you are developing enterprise software for your businesses like finance, banking, or online survey or voting system a robust data security and integrity becomes a necessity for your enterprise software.

Integrating the capabilities of blockchain’s cryptographic algorithms and consensus mechanisms in your software ensures security against tampering and fraud.

Blockchain eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing costs and enhancing trust in peer-to-peer transactions. This decentralization is beneficial in applications like payment systems, supply chain management, and voting.

Moreover, Blockchain provides transparency by recording all transactions on a public ledger.

This feature is useful in supply chain management, provenance tracking, and auditing.

#13. Outsourcing – Trending High

Outsourcing has become a new buzz in software development especially for startups looking for cost-effective software development.

Moreover, according to Deloitte, 70% of respondents cited cost reduction as their primary reason for outsourcing.

However, if you are looking to outsource your software project then go through our guide on how to outsource app development.

This blog provides step-by-step guidance on outsourcing app development and cost to outsource your software project.

#14. 5G – Opening Up New Opportunities

With the rapid rollout of 5G technology, experts anticipate that by 2025, over 1.4 billion devices worldwide will be connected to this high-speed network.

This accounts for nearly 15% of the global total, and here’s why it’s such a game-changer for software development:

5G is not just an upgrade from 4G; it’s an entirely new network architecture. This revolutionary technology is set to redefine how we communicate and interact with the digital world.

The benefits extend beyond faster internet for streaming and browsing; 5G is a catalyst for innovation in software development.

The introduction of 5G promises enhanced user experiences across the board.

But what’s more exciting is how it will accelerate the growth of cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

These technologies thrive on high-speed, low-latency networks, and 5G provides just that.

As a result, the future of 5G in software development looks incredibly promising.

It’s a golden opportunity to stay ahead in the race and harness the full potential of this transformative technology.

Whether you’re preparing your existing apps for lightning-fast 5G speeds or launching new ones tailored to this new era, now is the time to make your mark in the world of software development.

#15. Trending languages – Languages in Demand

Recently, major tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft have been investing heavily in crafting new, high-performance programming languages that cater to a wide range of devices.

These languages, including Go by Google, Swift by Apple, Rust by Microsoft, and TypeScript, offer developers a fresh perspective.

They provide alternatives to traditional, all-purpose languages like C, C#, Laravel, or Python.

For software development companies, staying agile and receptive to these new language trends is crucial.

The rapid advancement of programming languages directly influences the dynamics of the software market.

It’s all about embracing innovation and adapting to new tools that can enhance your development projects.

So, the 15 top trends of software development end here.

Integrating such trends across your software development will not only enhance your user experience but also provide a competitive edge in the ever-evolving tech industry.