Choosing the right software development tools can make or break your project, especially if you’re building enterprise software.
Whether you’re building a complex enterprise-grade application or just looking to improve your development processes, having the right tech stack is crucial.
But, you likely don’t have the time to test the hundreds of tools that are out there – and that’s okay!
So, to save you time, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 enterprise software development tools you should use in 2025.
Whether you’re building web apps, desktop apps, cloud-based solutions, or microservices, .NET has all the tools and libraries you need to create secure and efficient applications.
Important features
Cross-platform compatibility
With .NET, you can develop and run applications on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
ASP .NET Core
A high-performance framework used to build state-of-the-art web applications.
Entity Framework Core
Simplifies database interactions with an object-relational mapper (ORM).
Scalability and performance
.NET is optimized for high-speed execution with a just-in-time (JIT) compiler and ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation.
.NET pros and cons
Pros
Cross-platform support
High performance
Strong security
Large ecosystem
Cons
Microsoft dependency
Higher memory usage
Pricing
.NET is an open-source framework and it’s free to use.
Ruby on Rails (RoR) is a server-side web application framework written in Ruby.
Known for its developer-friendly syntax and rapid development capabilities, Rails follows the convention over configuration (CoC) and don’t repeat yourself (DRY) principles.
Ansible is easy to set up and ideal for enterprise IT teams managing complex environments across on-premise, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures.
Important features
Agentless architecture
Android Studio’s intelligent code editor and its code completion feature will help you write high-quality code faster. It supports languages like Java, C, C++, and Kotlin.
Infrastructure as code (IaC)
Automates provisioning, configuration, and deployment of servers, networks, and applications.
YAML-based playbooks
Uses simple, human-readable syntax for automation scripts.
Ansible Galaxy
A repository of pre-built automation roles and modules.
Its huge plugin ecosystem and support for multiple programming languages give you the flexibility and scalability you need to build enterprise-grade software.
Important features
Plugin ecosystem
Jenkins can integrate with over 1,800 different plugins for various tools and platforms.
Distributed build architecture
Supports parallel builds across multiple machines for better scalability.
Pipeline as code
Uses Jenkinsfile (written in Groovy) to define build and deployment workflows.
Automated testing
Supports JUnit, Selenium, and other automated testing frameworks.
Jenkins pros and cons
Pros
Highly customizable
Strong community
Multi-language support
Cons
Resource-intensive
Outdated UI
Pricing
Jenkins is open-source and you can use it for free.
Maven is a build automation and dependency management tool primarily used for Java projects.
Developed by the Apache Software Foundation, it simplifies project builds by providing a structured, declarative approach using XML-based configuration.
With Maven, you can efficiently manage dependencies, compile code, run tests, and package applications, so it’s a must-have for enterprise software development.
Important features
Dependency management
Automatically downloads and manages libraries and dependencies from repositories like Maven Central.
Lifecycle management
Automates the build process, from compilation and testing to packaging and deployment.
Plugin architecture
Maven is extensible through plugins that support compilation, testing, reporting, and deployment.
Multi-module project support
You can use Maven to manage complex enterprise applications with multiple interdependent modules.
Maven pros and cons
Pros
Simplified dependency management
Widely adopted
Integration options with popular IDEs
Cons
Steeper learning curve
Performance overhead
Pricing
Maven is freely available under an open-source license.
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
Originally developed by Google and now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), Kubernetes is the industry standard for managing large-scale, cloud-native applications.
In enterprise software development, Splunk is widely used for log management, security information and event management (SIEM), and IT observability.
Important features
Log and data aggregation
Collects and indexes machine-generated data from multiple sources, including applications, servers, networks, and security devices
Real-time monitoring and alerts
Detects issues instantly and triggers automated responses.
Security information and event management (SIEM)
Detects, investigates, and responds to security threats in real time, with advanced threat intelligence, automated response capabilities, and security analytics.
Layout editor
A drag-and-drop interface for designing user interfaces (UIs), the layout editor lets you quickly build layouts and preview what they look like on various Android devices.
Splunk pros and cons
Pros
Real-time data analysis
Strong security features
Customizable features
Cons
High cost
Complex setup and maintenance
Pricing
Splunk offers several pricing models, based on your specific needs:
Ingest pricing – Charges are based on the volume of data ingested daily.
Workload pricing – Charges are based on the compute capacity consumed, measured in Splunk Virtual Compute (SVC) units.
Entity pricing – Pricing is determined by the number of hosts (protected devices) using Splunk’s observability products.
You can find out more about each pricing model here.
SonarQube is an open-source code quality and security analysis tool that helps you identify bugs, code smells, and security vulnerabilities in your codebase.
It supports multiple programming languages and integrates seamlessly with your CI/CD pipelines, making it a critical tool for enterprise software development.
Azure DevOps is a cloud-based and on-premise DevOps platform from Microsoft that provides a complete set of tools for software development.
It supports version control, agile project management, automated builds, testing, and deployment, making it an ideal choice for enterprise software development.
Many of them offer free versions or are open-source, like Jenkins, SonarQube Community Edition, and Selenium.
But for enterprise features, like security, compliance, and advanced support, you’ll likely need a paid plan.
Start with the free versions, test them in small projects, and see what works the best for your team.
Most of these tools have great documentation and active communities that will help you out.
Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and Bitbucket Pipelines are top choices.
If you’re deep into the Microsoft ecosystem, Azure DevOps is a great fit.
And if you want flexibility and plugins, Jenkins is hard to beat.
Need an expert development partner?
If you have the right tools, you will boost your team’s productivity, improve security, and make the entire enterprise software development process smoother.
Whether it’s DevOps, CI/CD, cloud-native applications, or API testing, the tools we covered will keep you ahead in 2025.
But, sometimes you need a helping hand.
If you need expert help in building enterprise-grade software, feel free to reach out – we’ll be happy to help!
Mario makes every project run smoothly. A firm believer that people are DECODE’s most vital resource, he naturally grew into his former role as People Operations Manager. Now, his encyclopaedic knowledge of every DECODEr’s role, and his expertise in all things tech, enables him to guide DECODE's technical vision as CTO to make sure we're always ahead of the curve.
Part engineer, and seemingly part therapist, Mario is always calm under pressure, which helps to maintain the office’s stress-free vibe. In fact, sitting and thinking is his main hobby. What’s more Zen than that?
Wondering how much enterprise software development costs? In this article, we'll break down the 7 key cost factors and tips on how to avoid unnecessary expenses.