Developer productivity tools aren’t that different from the tools found in a master chef’s kitchen. Your development tech stack needs the same level of precision and purpose as the masterfully crafted equipment used in top-tier restaurants. And in both environments, efficiency is key.
From powerful IDEs to AI assistants and documentation solutions, the right software productivity tools can transform how developers work.
Ready to supercharge your workflow and streamline your coding process? Here’s a curated list of the 9 best developer productivity tools for 2025 that every developer should know.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
IDEs substantially boost developer productivity by bringing everything you need for coding into one cohesive workspace. Instead of manually writing code in simple text editors, you get access to features like built-in error detection and version control integration.
Finding the right IDE helps cut down on repetitive tasks so software engineers can focus on writing great code.
1. JetBrains
JetBrains offers a suite of IDEs depending on which programming language and framework you want to use. And because all of JetBrains’ IDEs use the same platform, you can switch from one to another without having to relearn an entire system.
Features:
- Language-specific IDEs: Access IDEs like PyCharm for Python, IntelliJ IDEA for Java and Kotlin, and CLion for C and C++, among others.
- Context-aware code completion: Let JetBrains IDEs analyze code context as you type and make suggestions.
- Advanced refactoring tools: Automate common refactoring tasks.
- Code analysis and error detection: Monitor code as you type to flag errors and get warnings.
Pros:
- Built-in version control integration and debugging
- Support for multiple frameworks
- Integration with other dev tools
Cons:
- Premium features require a subscription
Pricing: JetBrains pricing depends on which product you select. For IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, the most popular Java and Kotlin IDE, JetBrains charges $59.90 per user per month.
Other IDEs run cheaper. For example, Pycharm costs $24.90 per user per month and CLion costs $22.90 per user per month. You can also purchase an All Products pack for $77.90 per user per month.
Version Control Systems (VCS)
Version control systems maintain a snapshot in time at every stage of the development process so if something goes awry, you can always go back to that snapshot. These systems are essential for software developer productivity because they make collaboration and code management more efficient.
When multiple developers are working on the same project, version control tools ensure that everyone can contribute without fear of overwriting someone else’s work.
2. Git
Git is an extremely popular VCS—93% of developers use it to build and deploy software. Since its debut in 2005, Git has become essential to track and manage changes to source code during the development process.
Features:
- Distributed version control: Store a local repository with full history access in each developer’s machine.
- Lightweight branching: Manage branches and experiment with changes without affecting the main codebase.
- Powerful merge tools: Easily combine changes from different branches.
Pros:
- Highly flexible for all kinds of projects
- Extremely popular—most devs already know Git
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of disk space
Pricing: Git is free to use.
Build automation tools
Build automation tools help developers work more efficiently while reducing errors. These tools ensure consistency and speed up the feedback loop to help dev teams deliver features and improvements faster.
3. Gradle
Gradle is an open-source tool teams can use to automate projects of all sizes. It has over 50 million downloads per month, and works with a variety of IDEs, including IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code.
Features:
- Incremental builds: Complete work faster by only touching parts of the project that have changed.
- Custom logic: Write build logic using Groovy or Kotlin DSL.
- Integration with other dev tools: Sync with popular tools, including multiple IDEs and dependency management tools.
Pros:
- Works well for complex projects
- Active community with user support
- Greater speed and flexibility than Maven
Cons:
- Uses significant memory
Pricing: Gradle is free to use, but it does offer a premium version of the product called Devlocity. Devlocity doesn’t display its pricing online, so you’ll need to submit a request to get a quote.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools
CI/CD tools streamline the entire development process by automating repetitive tasks, such as testing and deploying code. This reduces the time developers spend on manual operations and minimizes human error.
4. GitLab CI/CD
GitLab CI/CD helps automate the building, testing, and deployment portions of your project, and it supports a variety of programmer languages and deployment environments.
Features:
- Native integration with GitLab: Transition seamlessly between repositories, issue tracking, and merge requests.
- Customizable pipelines: Define various project jobs and stages based project needs.
- Flexible runners: Use runners already available on Linux, Windows, and macOS machines, or create your own.
Pros:
- Unified interface for managing code
- Simplified pipeline setup
- Scalable for small teams
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
Pricing: For access to GitLab CI/CD, you’ll need either a Premium or Ultimate GitLab subscription. GitLab Premium costs $29 per user per month, billed annually. GitLab Ultimate requires custom pricing.
Unit testing tools
Unit testing tools automate the process of testing individual components of an application, which makes it easier to catch bugs early before they snowball into bigger issues. These tools save developers time on debugging and lead to a more stable and maintainable codebase.
5. Jest
Jest is a simple JavaScript testing framework most frequently used with React applications. It requires minimal configuration, so you don’t have to spend a bunch of time setting it up before you can start running tests.
Features:
- Snapshot testing: Save snapshots of tests you run and compare results on test re-runs.
- Test isolation: Benefit from multiple mechanisms to isolate tests and minimize side effects.
- Rich context: Get detailed information when your tests fail, including snapshot insights and error messages.
Pros:
- Works for multiple JavaScript project types
- Easy setup without extensive configuration
- Built-in tools for things like mocking functions
Cons:
- Not ideal for non-JavaScript projects
Pricing: Jest is free to use.
Environment management tools
Environment management tools help streamline the process of maintaining different development environments. Without them, developers can waste a significant amount of time configuring their systems, dealing with version mismatches, or troubleshooting environment-specific bugs.
6. Docker
Docker uses containerization to help developers build component parts of an application and run them together, even if they’re in separate containers.
Features:
- Containerization technology: Package an application and its dependencies together into a single unit called a container to ensure consistency.
- Portable applications: Design apps once and then run them anywhere.
- Version control: Take snapshots of container images to manage updates and rollbacks.
Pros:
- Works well in cloud or hybrid environments
- Scalable across different environments
- Efficient compared to virtual machines
Cons:
- Not ideal for projects that require virtual machines
Pricing: Docker offers a free Personal plan, but more advanced features will require a paid plan. Docker paid plans start at $7 per month for the Pro plan and go up to $24 per user per month for the Business plan, billed annually.
Code documentation tools
Code documentation tools help developers to record and standardize documentation that explains how various aspects of a project work. Well-documented code helps ensure consistency and cuts down on future mistakes or misunderstandings.
7. Swimm
Swimm helps software development teams create documentation that stays up-to-date and integrated with their code.
Features:
- Automatically syncs: Sync with your codebase to maintain consistent documentation every time you make changes.
- Diagram generation: Create multiple types of diagrams, including flow charts and architecture.
- Locally saved markdown files: Share and read Swimm files directly in your repository or IDE.
Pros:
- Support for 40+ languages
- Multiple large language model (LLM) options
- Integration with popular IDEs and CI/CD pipelines
Cons:
- Closed-source
Pricing: Swimm offers a free plan for up to five users. For more users than that, Swimm paid plans start at $17.78 per seat per month for the Teams plan or $28 per seat per month for the Enterprise Starter plan, starting at $8,000 annually. Swimm also offers enterprise plans for large or complex teams.
Code completion and AI tools
Generative AI tools have marked a revolution in the coding world. Now software developers have access to tools that can help them ideate and write code for all kinds of applications.
8. GitHub Copilot
As an AI-powered coding assistant, GitHub Copilot helps developers write code more efficiently.
Features:
- Code completion suggestions: Let Copilot suggest entire lines or blocks of code based on the context of what you’re writing.
- Multi-language support: Get support for common programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript.
- Integration with IDEs: Use Copilot directly in popular IDEs, including JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio, and Azure Data Studio.
Pros:
- Integrates with Loom’s free screen recorder
- Supports natural conversations
- Helps new developers learn more quickly
- Reduces time spent on repetitive tasks
Cons:
- Not ideal for niche programming languages
Pricing: GitHub Copilot offers a free plan with basic features. For more advanced features, you can subscribe to the Team plan for $4 per user per month, or the Enterprise plan starting at $21 per user per month.
Collaboration and communication tools
Collaboration tools help developers work with team members, align with other departments, and increase visibility for any other stakeholder with a vested interest in their work.
9. Loom
Loom is a video messaging tool that software developers can use to support collaboration and improve communication. Loom lets you record both your screen and your webcam and then share professional videos across a variety of channels.
As a developer, you can make Loom videos to give detailed feedback during code reviews, show bugs in action, create software walkthroughs, and more. Plus, Loom lets you collaborate with team members or stakeholders in different time zones without adding more meetings to your calendar.
Features:
- Loom AI: Use Loom AI to automatically create text-based SOPs, or create bug reports that are automatically synced to Jira or Linear.
- Automatic text support: Generate elements like video titles and transcripts, as well as translate your video into a document.
- Advanced editing tools: Annotate your videos and add effects, as well as edit videos to remove filler words and silences.
Pros:
- Asynchronous communication for tasks like remote pair programming
- Shareable videos for multiple channels
- Professional presentation
Cons:
- Access to AI tools requires a paid plan
Pricing: Loom offers a free plan with limited features. For more advanced features, you’ll need to subscribe to the Business plan for $15 per user per month, billed annually.
For access to Loom AI, you’ll need at least the Business + AI plan, which costs $20 per user per month, billed annually. Loom also offers enterprise plans with custom pricing.
How to accurately measure developer productivity
Despite what some may believe, you can’t just count lines of code written as the primary measurement of developer productivity. There are multiple approaches you can use to accurately assess dev productivity, but one common-sense method is to use DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) metrics.
DORA metrics
DORA metrics originated at Google Cloud and include a group of metrics managers can use to assess developer teams’ performance. These metrics are called the “four keys” and include:
- Lead time for changes
- Frequency of code deployments
- The percentage of changes that lead to issues with service, like outages
- Length of time it takes to restore service after an issue
Prioritize developer productivity with Loom
The best developer productivity tools save time and boost performance. Loom powers communication so your developers can work more effectively together.
Use Loom’s innovative video messaging platform to create custom videos that communicate everything from software updates to bug fixes and tutorials. Loom’s AI tools even let you translate videos into documents and automatically generate transcripts to support cohesive documentation.
Streamline developer knowledge-sharing with Loom.
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