The Future of Software: Key Software Development Trends in 2024

Who should be aware of the latest software development trends?

I am not only a CEO of a software development company but a programmer as well. I was keen on technology way before I became a business owner. For tech people and product owners, being up-to-date with the latest trends is a must and, in many cases, is mentioned as one of their duties. At the same time, I understand that many non-technical business people might think that it’s not their job to be aware of what’s happening in the tech area, they leave it to their CTOs and focus simply on running their businesses.

In my opinion, they are simply unaware that they cope with tech trends daily while making their business decisions. Overall, they decide on how to assign the budget, which markets to conquer and how their apps should evolve. Although a CEO doesn’t need to know all the details of how the app is built, they can encourage or limit its growth in a particular direction. Being aware of the possibilities and users’ expectations can help them make the best decisions for the products and the company.

Why is it important?

Staying up to date with software development trends serves as a compass for navigating the trajectory of the latest technologies. Following them can bring new growth opportunities to many businesses and prevent losing market share if their competitors implement them first.

The most important thing about following new trends is that it’s not necessary to apply every single one of them to every project. In fact, we all should avoid blind implementation and rely on a thoughtful analysis when choosing which tech novelties to incorporate into the project. However, a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends fosters a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability.

This knowledge becomes the gateway to innovation, enabling not only software developers but also other professionals to strategically implement new methodologies, programming languages and technologies where they make the most sense. It’s about cultivating an open approach that enables product owners to make informed decisions, ensuring that the app will dynamically change and that it will be secure, reliable and well-adapted to the evolving needs and preferences of users.

Understanding trends is crucial for companies that want to adapt their strategies to changing market and business needs and ensure the development of solutions that resonate with users.

Continued Rise of Artificial Intelligence Integration into Products

The software development industry landscape is undergoing a revolutionary transformation with the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in products. Artificial Intelligence has already become an integral part of our digital experiences, changing the way we interact with technology.

The growing importance of AI in software development goes beyond mere novelty; it is the driving force behind improved functionality and enriched user experience. According to Statista‘s projections, the worldwide Artificial Intelligence market is anticipated to exceed $298 billion by the end of 2024 and is expected to reach $1.85 trillion by 2030.

From virtual assistants and recommendation systems to machine learning and predictive analytics, Artificial Intelligence is intricately embedded in the fabric of our daily existence and lies along some of the most important emerging technologies. However, industries where AI is poised to have the most significant impact include sectors such as banking and healthcare.

In the banking sector, industry experts predict that AI could generate an additional $1 trillion annually (McKinsey). It allows for cost reduction through increased efficiency and reduced errors. It’s already applied to secure our transactions and privacy. Moreover, AI enables banks to provide the hyper-personalisation that modern customers are increasingly looking for in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

Another industry highly impacted by AI is healthcare. As can be seen in the Deloitte report, the main goals of implementing AI in healthcare are reducing expenses, increasing operational efficiency and improving existing products and services. One example is the use of AI software to improve patient symptom analysis, identify medication errors, and automate administrative functions. Moreover, the importance of AI in healthcare as a dominant trend is underlined by significant investment by venture capitalists, exceeding $8.5 billion in the 50 largest AI companies in healthcare.

Control via Commands: The Evolution of User Interaction

Another noteworthy trend gaining momentum is the paradigm shift towards “Command Control”. This means moving away from traditional user interfaces towards a more intuitive and efficient way of interacting. This trend includes both natural language processing (NLP) and voice-activated systems, redefining the way how we use technology.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): Unleashing Conversational Interfaces

Natural Language Processing (NLP) empowers software to comprehend and respond to human language, providing users with a more natural and intuitive means of communication. Whether it’s text-based or voice-driven, NLP is transforming the way how users engage with applications, making the interaction more conversational and personalized.

It allows for:

• Simplifying complex tasks: NLP eliminates the need to navigate complex menus, allowing users to express their needs in natural language and simplifying complex tasks.
• Personalisation and context awareness: NLP enables systems to understand user context and preferences, adapting responses and providing more personalised experiences.
• Accessibility for diverse users: The move toward natural language accommodates people with varying technological proficiencies or physical limitations, increasing overall accessibility.
• Real-life examples: Tangible cases like virtual assistants understanding complex requests or productivity tools simplifying complex commands demonstrate the practical impact of this trend.

Voice-Activated Systems: Bridging the Gap Between Users and Devices

Along with NLP, the rise of voice-activated systems is revolutionising the user experience. Voice commands are becoming a prevalent mode of interaction with devices and applications, eliminating the need for manual input. With advancements in speech recognition technology, voice-activated systems are not only more accurate but also capable of understanding diverse accents and languages. This trend not only enhances accessibility for users but also introduces a hands-free and efficient approach to controlling multiple devices, from smartphones to smart home appliances.

The combination of NLP and voice-activated systems marks a significant leap forward in creating more seamless and intuitive interfaces. In fact, this evolution of the user interface goes beyond simple convenience, it stands for a user-centred design philosophy that adapts technology to the way people naturally communicate!

Streamlining the Software Development Process with Low Code Development and No-Code Development

As we look forward to 2024, the software development landscape is on the brink of a profound transformation driven by the escalating prevalence of low-code development solutions and no-code development platforms.

No-code and low-code development tools have emerged as game-changers, allowing users to construct and deploy applications with minimal IT involvement, making them an ideal solution for businesses seeking to optimise resources without having to create or hire software development teams for their software solutions. This innovative approach is gaining increased recognition as organisations prioritise agility and efficiency in their application development processes.

However, the truth is that low-code or no-code development solutions are not substitutes for custom software development. They have their limitations and won’t let you build everything you might need. Despite of that, such platforms might be sufficient for many less advanced projects.

Examples of no-code and low-code solutions

In some cases, such platforms can enhance and speed up the custom software development process instead of replacing it. Software solutions, like Make or Zapier, are included in this category and can help developers speed up the process of data processing and passing among various systems. Although they have their limitations, they offer the possibility to extend it with custom development.

Nowadays, many people know solutions like WordPress or Shopify, which allow users to set up their website or shop almost immediately. However, those platforms are open to custom development, too. So it is Webflow that is gaining popularity in the area of no-code website builders, expanding its functionality over the last few years significantly. Currently, Webflow offers vast possibilities in terms of design but without the need for coding or any other software development skills. However, it allows adding custom code if needed, which makes this platform a robust and multi-purpose solution. Other alternatives comparable to Webflow include Bubble or Retool.

No-code and low-code popularity in numbers

According to a survey from 2021, low-code is actively utilised in 77% of organisations and was projected to account for more than 65% of application development activities by 2024 (Mendix). The global market for low-code development platforms is forecasted to generate a staggering revenue of 36.43 billion USD by 2027, a significant increase from the 7.61 billion USD recorded in 2019 (Globe Newswire).

Looking ahead to 2025, we can expect that even 70% of newly developed applications will use low-code or no-code technology, a notable surge from the less than 25% reported in 2020 (Gartner). This rapid increase in use signifies democratisation of development, as low-code and no-code empower a broader audience, fostering collaboration across departments and expediting the application delivery process. However, as I mentioned above, those categories consist of various tools that serve many purposes.

The survey results from Statista indicate that companies utilising low-code platforms for the development of customer-facing applications experience an average revenue increase of 58%. Beyond financial gains, the efficiency gains are evident as well. Organisations employing low-code solutions are reported to build solutions 56% faster compared to those relying on traditional development technologies.

Pros and cons

That might be caused by resigning from building a custom backend logic (or at least a part of it) and applying solutions like Make to handle it. Let’s take a look at the complaint process in eCommerce: we can build a custom backend logic or use Make to manage the process and pass data, for instance. However, the more systems we use, the higher the risk that we encounter some issues. Therefore, one of the main benefits of custom development is reliability and control over the app’s performance. Some of our clients asked me to build every part of their app from scratch instead of relying on any external sources of code.

Although no-code and low-code are more and more popular and accessible, those solutions have pros and cons (and so have custom software development). I won’t discuss them here, but I encourage you to check my other article, where I delve into this topic in detail.

Emphasis on Cybersecurity

As we approach 2024, the cybersecurity landscape becomes more important than ever as cyber threats and data breaches continue to increase. More companies, not only from fintech or medical industries, are placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity as a top priority when it comes to protecting sensitive information.

Implementing strong security measures, staying up to date on the latest threats and providing employees with comprehensive training in safe and security practices are key steps that companies are increasingly prioritising.

The statistics speak for themselves: the global cybersecurity market is expected to experience significant growth, with projections to reach USD 501.60 billion by 2030 (Spherical Insights). Moreover, the advancement of AI has led to an increase in attacks and new methods of targeting applications and infrastructure. Consequently, this has resulted in larger budgets for cybersecurity as well.

This solid market expansion underscores the recognition of cybersecurity as one of the essential software development trends, reflecting a collective commitment to strengthen digital ecosystems against evolving threats in the coming years.

If you want to learn more about securing your app properly, you can read more about cybersecurity in Piotr Popławski’s article about how to make mobile apps secure.

Revolutionising User Experience: The Rise of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

The landscape of mobile app usage is witnessing a paradigm shift as smartphone users increasingly seek a seamless and expedient experience without the storage constraints that accompany traditional app downloads. Although Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) were a popular topic a few years ago, they are now making a comeback.

I can nearly hear software developers cheering in the background!

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is an efficiently optimised web application that includes extra features designed for both mobile and desktop devices. It operates using the mobile internet browser engine and is simultaneously installed on mobile devices.

Despite experiencing some stagnation over the years, we observe a positive trend with increasing feature support, with both Apple and Google expanding their support. The cost-effectiveness of PWA development allows for the creation of both web and mobile platforms, making it an attractive option for startups.

In other words, PWAs offer an innovative combination of standard website technology and the user-friendly characteristics of native mobile apps. The development community widely regards them as the best of both worlds (Medium). A notable example is Twitter’s PWA, which takes up only 3% of the storage space compared to its Android app counterpart, illustrating the efficiency gains achieved by PWAs (web.dev).

While technically running through a browser, PWAs can be installed effortlessly, providing users with a seamless and quick process. This installation transforms the PWA into what appears and operates like a traditional app, allowing users to enjoy a more immersive and responsive interface. This streamlined accessibility is further complemented by swift loading times, push notification capabilities, and offline functionality due to cached data.

An excellent illustration of this is evident when visiting PWA-enabled sites such as Facebook, where users are prompted with an ‘install’ icon right in the address bar:

One of the key attributes propelling the popularity of PWAs among developers is their platform-agnostic nature. This means developers don’t need to create separate apps for mobile, tablet, and desktop platforms, streamlining the development process and reducing costs. In fact, estimates suggest that PWAs can cost up to 15 times less to develop and maintain than traditional mobile apps (Maltix).

Starbucks provides a noteworthy case study of PWA implementation success. Their PWA is 99.84% smaller than the iOS mobile app, making it a compact yet powerful tool for customers. Starbucks’ PWA goes beyond mere convenience; it enables customers to browse the menu and customise orders even without an internet connection. Once connected, users can seamlessly access specific pricing for the nearest location and place orders. Since integrating the PWA, Starbucks has seen a doubling in the number of web users placing orders daily, underscoring the measurable impact of PWAs on user engagement and business outcomes.

The Blossoming of AR and MR Applications (with the Launch of Apple Vision Pro)

The launch of Apple Vision Pro ushered in a new era in Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) applications. This groundbreaking launch from Apple marks a significant step towards more immersive and interactive digital experiences.

Apple Vision Pro emerges as a direct response to the concept of Mixed Reality (MR), a term that has long existed within the industry, with pioneers like Microsoft and Adobe having already incorporated it. It represents a fusion of the key elements from Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). This combination not only facilitates an immersive experience in Virtual Reality but also seamlessly integrates the digital realm into the physical world. It’s an ambitious endeavour on an unprecedented scale.

With the launch of Apple Vision Pro, a brand-new App Store is on the horizon, dedicated to apps and games specifically designed for visionOS. The store will not only feature these specialised applications but also provide access to hundreds of thousands of existing iPad and iPhone apps optimised to run seamlessly on visionOS. This development is expected to significantly increase in Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) applications. From captivating games that blend reality with fantasy to practical applications in education, training, and design, the possibilities are vast, offering users an immersive and diverse experience with the rich offerings of Apple Vision Pro.

Augmented Reality Features Coming to the Apple Store App

Moreover, Apple is in the process of enhancing the Apple Store app for the iPhone, incorporating Augmented Reality features that activate upon a user’s entry into one of its retail establishments. The concept revolves around users pointing their iPhones towards a product, such as an Apple Watch band or a Mac, triggering a graphical overlay on the screen. This overlay is designed to furnish additional information regarding pricing and specifications, providing customers with an enriched and interactive experience while exploring Apple’s product offerings in-store.

The Expansive Impact of Blockchain Technology

The utilisation of blockchain technology in software development is experiencing significant growth, marking a departure from its association primarily with cryptocurrencies. The past five years have witnessed an impressive 185% increase in search volume for “blockchain software development,” underscoring the growing interest in leveraging blockchain for diverse applications (Exploding Topics).

Globally, expenditures in the blockchain market are anticipated to exhibit a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 46% through 2024, reflecting the widespread adoption of this technology across businesses worldwide (Finances Online).

The appeal of blockchain-oriented software (BOS) systems lies in their robustness and unparalleled security features. With data replication and decentralisation, these systems ensure data security, further fortified by transaction recording and public-key cryptography.

The inherent resistance to hacking or theft is particularly advantageous in the healthcare industry, where blockchain-based systems facilitate collaboration among pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurers, and medical device OEMs. These systems streamline processes such as contract logging, transaction tracking, and payment details while introducing the automation of contract terms through smart contracts.

Blockchain’s transformative impact extends to decentralised applications (dApps), eliminating the need for a centralised authority or intermediary. In other words, there is no centralised repository for the code, and it lacks ownership by any particular company.

A notable example is Axie Infinity, a blockchain-based gaming app where users can raise, trade, and battle digital creatures known as Axies, each represented as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Despite its popularity, the Axie network faced challenges, including a significant hack resulting in a $620 million loss and a subsequent decline in player numbers (Bleeping Computer). However, this setback hasn’t diminished the broader potential of blockchain gaming, evident in initiatives like Game of Silks, a horse racing game with NFTs that secured $2 million in funding in mid-2022 and $5 million in the second financing round in 2023.

The multifaceted applications of blockchain in software development underscore its growing significance and transformative potential across various industries.