Introduction

Ruby, a dynamic and object-oriented programming language, has gained popularity in recent years for its simplicity, readability, and productivity. With its strong community support and extensive libraries, Ruby has become a sought-after skill in the software development industry.

In particular, Ruby on Rails has emerged as a popular full-stack web application framework. Built on the MVC pattern, Rails boasts Active Record ORM, robust built-in security, frequent updates and strong community support.

What is Ruby?

Ruby is a programming language that’s known for its simplicity and user-friendliness. It was created to make coding easier and more enjoyable. In Ruby, everything is treated as an object, which helps keep things organized. It’s often used for building websites and automating tasks.

With Ruby, programmers don’t have to worry about managing memory, as it takes care of that automatically. It has a big community and lots of tools available, making it a popular choice for many developers.

Why use Ruby?

Ruby is popular among developers for its simplistic, English-like syntax and strong metaprogramming capabilities. It is also highly portable, running on a variety of operating systems, and boasts extensive libraries alongside an active community.

Ruby is most often used for building web applications, but it is a versatile language with myriad uses. Ruby can be used to build data processing services, static websites and automation tools, as well as in information security (infosec), game development, academic research, web servers, DevOps, and web crawling.

To get a better sense of Ruby’s versatility, consider these famous applications:

• Shopify: The e-commerce platform is built with Ruby, specifically the Ruby on Rails framework.
• Airbnb: Uses Ruby on Rails for API integration, tying their back- and front-end operations together.
• GitHub: Deploys Ruby and the Ruby on Rails framework for testing, REST APIs, and many other functions.
• Netflix: Uses Ruby for its microservices and internal security, as well as monitoring and analytics.
• Kickstarter: Combines Ruby with Perl to build a robust and scalable platform.
• Soundcloud: Uses Ruby on Rails for front-end development and automated testing.

Benefits of Ruby

Ruby is a popular programming language among developers, considered easy and enjoyable to use. Its English-like syntax and extensive libraries facilitate rapid prototyping and development. Ruby is also prized for its community support, providing access to a large resource pool for developers.

Some of the benefits of using Ruby include:

• Intuitive Syntax: Ruby’s English-like syntax is natural and readable, making it easier for developers to read and write code quickly.
• Rapid Prototyping: The dynamic and flexible nature of Ruby facilitates faster development cycles and experimentation. 
• Metaprogramming: Ruby’s metaprogramming features enable dynamic code generation and modification at runtime, offering advanced flexibility and potential for automation.
• Object-Oriented Programming: Ruby is a robust object-oriented language, which helps in creating well-structured and reusable code.
• Portability: Ruby is a highly versatile language that can run on different operating systems.
• Extensive Libraries: As an open-source language, Ruby offers a vast ecosystem of libraries and pre-built solutions to accelerate development.

Ruby Skills and Qualifications

Ruby developers will often hold a degree in computer science or similar, though this is not essential. When hiring a Ruby developer, it’s most important to look for strong experience in Ruby development, including frameworks like Ruby on Rails.

There are also many certifications and qualifications that a Ruby developer may have. Popular certifications include:

• Ruby Association Certified Ruby Programmer
• LinkedIn: Ruby on Rails 5 Essential Training
• The Complete Ruby on Rails Developer Course
• Packt: Learn to Code with Ruby Specialization
• Google Cloud: Using Ruby on Rails with Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL on Cloud Run
• Professional Certificate in Ruby on Rails
• Edchart Ruby on Rails Framework Certification

Beyond technical skills, soft skills are vital when choosing your Ruby developer. Problem-solving is crucial, aiding with troubleshooting and continuous learning. Communication is also essential when looking for any new team member, particularly in facilitating clear and open communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Popular Ruby-Related Languages

Ruby is related to a number of other programming languages. Its creator, Yukihiro Matsumoto or “Matz”, drew inspiration from a number of existing languages, including:

• Perl: A high-level, general-purpose, dynamic scripting language known for its text manipulation capabilities.
• Smalltalk: An influential object-oriented language originally created in the 1970s for academic application.
• Eiffel: Another object-oriented language, originally designed to increase the reliability of commercial software development. 
• Ada: A structured, statically typed object-oriented high-level programming language inspired by Pascal.
• Lisp: A family of programming languages known for their functional programming capabilities.

There are also a number of languages that are commonly used in conjunction with Ruby, in particular:

• JavaScript, HTML & CSS: When building web apps with Ruby on Rails, developers will typically make use of front-end technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to develop dynamic user interfaces. 
• C & C++: With the Ruby interpreter itself written in C, some Ruby code can use C and C++ extensions for native performance enhancement.
• SQL (Structured Query Language): Developers typically use SQL for database interaction within Ruby applications.

Popular Ruby Libraries

Ruby is well-known for its active community and vast array of helpful libraries, called “Gems”. Some of the most popular Ruby Gems include:

• Byebug: A popular Ruby library for debugging.
• ElasticSearch: A distributed, open-source search and analytics engine used to store, search, and analyze large volumes of structured and unstructured data.
• Sidekiq: A simple and efficient tool for running applications in the background and simplifying background processes.
• Pry: A ‘meta plugin’ used for debugging errors and helping to eliminate the problem of binding different gems from different libraries.
• Devise: Used to simplify the process of authentication.
• RSpec: A popular Ruby on Rails tool for writing unit test cases in BDD and TDD environments.
• Kaminari: A powerful, agnostic, customizable paginator for Rails 3+, used to divide returned data and display it on multiple pages within one web page.
• RuboCop: A tool for analyzing and formatting Ruby static code.
• Overcommit: A Ruby on Rails gem for configuring Git hooks.
• Faker: A library for generating realistic test data such as names, addresses, and phone numbers for your database.

Popular Ruby Frameworks

Frameworks are collections of reusable code, templates and tools that provide a foundational structure for building applications effectively and efficiently. Some of the most popular Ruby frameworks include:

• Ruby on Rails: One of the most popular and well-known Ruby frameworks, Rails is a web development framework with an MVC control structure that was originally used to build major sites like Twitter.
• Sinatra: A simple and easy-to-use DSL, powerful enough to set up a fully functional web application with just a single file. Sinatra can develop anything from micro web applications to full-scale applications with fewer resources than alternatives like Rails.
• Camping: One of the most lightweight Ruby web frameworks, Camping is an open-source framework with a huge community.
• Goliath: A lightweight web server framework focusing on server-specific mechanisms including implementation and management of Rack API.
• Cuba: A microframework used to develop web applications, described as “a tiny but powerful mapper for Rack applications.”

Popular Ruby ​​Programming Tools

There are many tools available to enhance the experience of using Ruby. Some of the most popular tools include:

• Pry: An interactive console for Ruby on Rails that offers features like structure highlighting and a robust plugin system.
• Atom: A free and open-source text and source-code editor developed by GitHub.
• NetBeans: A popular integrated development environment (IDE) for Ruby on Rails.
• OmniAuth: A Ruby library that standardizes authentication using Rack middleware.
• RubyMine: An integrated development environment (IDE) for Ruby on Rails that provides a wide array of different features and supports Ruby, ERB, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
• Bullet: Improves Rails application performance by reducing database queries and suggesting how to make use of techniques like eager loading.

Why hire a Ruby developer?

Ruby developers remain essential for web development, back-end systems engineering and DevOps. Large enterprises often require a large team of Ruby developers to maintain and improve existing sites.

For startups and SMBs, Ruby can be a great choice for getting your web application off the ground quickly and efficiently, resulting in quicker prototyping and development.

How much does it cost to hire a Ruby developer?

When hiring traditionally in the US for a local, mid-level Ruby developer, the average annual compensation is $143,258/year, with a range of $86,000 to $395,400/year according to Ruby on Remote. However, even by just expanding to other parts of the United States, salaries can be reduced significantly.

On average, companies hiring Ruby developers with HireDevelopers can expect to save between 50% and 80% on salaries and hiring costs, with exact salaries varying based on location and experience. The greatest savings can be found by hiring in Africa and Asia, while companies looking for aligned time zones and a closer cultural match can hire from our extensive pool of Latin American developers.

Is Ruby used for API development?

Yes, Ruby is a commonly-used technology for developing APIs, in large part due to the Ruby on Rails framework.

Rails is often considered the best, most straightforward option for creating RESTful APIs, stemming from its design principles and robust feature set. It encourages a resource-oriented architecture, including built-in routing, migrations and task tools.

Is Ruby better than Java?

Ruby and Java are both great choices for web development that appeal to different types of developers and projects. Ruby is great for fast-moving projects focused on productivity and speed, often within startups and MVPs, whereas Java is considered better for performance, particularly at enterprise level.

Ruby is also preferred when readability is key, as its English-like syntax is clear and concise.

Is Ruby better than Python?

Ruby and Python both have strong followings among web developers. While Ruby allows for faster, easier web development with a focus on efficiency, Python has broad applications across other realms like data science and machine learning due to its vast libraries.

Is Ruby better than PHP?

While both Ruby and PHP are used to develop web applications, Ruby prioritizes clean, easy-to-read code, while PHP is commonly used in shared hosting environments for smaller tasks.

Ruby also excels in rapid development for complex applications, while PHP is often faster in execution and is the backbone of many content management systems like WordPress.

What are the disadvantages of using Ruby?

Ruby is slower than other languages like Java, and also has fewer libraries and resources than other languages. It may also be less suitable for scaling enterprise-level applications.

Is Ruby used for Front-End or Back-End development?

Ruby is mainly used for back-end development, powering the server-side of web applications. It is designed for building robust back-end systems, including databases and APIs. Typically, it is used in conjunction with a front-end technology like HTML or CSS.

What is the difference between Ruby and Ruby on Rails?

Ruby on Rails, often called Rails, is a framework built on the Ruby language. Rails includes libraries and resources for simplifying web development across routing, database interaction and front-end integration.

Why is it hard to find good Ruby developers?

It can be hard to find great Ruby developers due to the high demand for Ruby engineers in the United States. The TIOBE Programming Community Index ranks Ruby in the Top 25 Programming Languages for 2025.

If you’re struggling to find elite Ruby developers, try HireDevelopers today to tap into our vast network of pre-vetted, remote Ruby developers in just 24 hours.

How to hire Ruby developers

The first step to hiring a Ruby developer is to decide on a hiring method. Traditional hiring methods include local job adverts, LinkedIn job posts and using your professional network to identify potential candidates.

However, these methods are often time consuming and can be expensive. The median time to hire a developer is around 41 days, with the slowest 10% taking up to 82 days and 38% of companies reporting project delays due to recruitment problems, according to the Linux Foundation’s 2024 State of Tech Talent Report.

Alternatively, many companies are now turning to services like HireDevelopers to cut costs and speed up the hiring process. With HireDevelopers, you can hire Ruby developers from anywhere in the world, at any price point, in just 24 hours.

When putting together a job description or job interview for a Ruby developer, prioritize technical skills, like familiarity with key frameworks such as Ruby on Rails.

You should also consider using coding challenges alongside a traditional interview during the hiring process – if you’re using a pre-vetted talent pool like HireDevelopers, this has already been done for you. Coding challenges allow you to assess problem-solving skills and coding expertise in a realistic, real-time environment.

If you need help putting together a Ruby job description or conducting a Ruby job interview, you can check out our helpful and comprehensive guides below. Alternatively, to cut your time-to-hire by 90% and unlock savings of up to 80%, get in touch and book your free HireDevelopers consultation today.

Why hire Ruby developers with HireDevelopers?

Hiring the right Ruby developer for your team is a huge undertaking, and the process can be intimidating, especially for startups and small businesses.

At HireDevelopers, our pre-vetted, global tech talent marketplace streamlines your hiring journey and cuts time-to-hire by over 90% without compromising on quality or stretching your budget. Receive a custom shortlist of top Ruby developers at any seniority level, at any price point and located anywhere in the world within just 24 hours of your consultation.

Plus, we’ll handle all payroll, legal compliance and HR completely for free, giving you more time to start building with your new Ruby dev.

Get in touch today and start hiring top-notch Ruby developers in just 24 hours.