Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2026 – Blog | CodeWithBhurtel
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Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2026
If you are thinking about learning to code but do not know where to start, you are not alone. One of the most common questions beginners ask is: "Which program…
If you are thinking about learning to code but do not know where to start, you are not alone. One of the most common questions beginners ask is: "Which programming language should I learn first?" With so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that you do not need to learn every language. You just need to pick the right one for where you want to go. This guide covers the best programming languages to learn in 2026, who they are best for, what you can build with them, and how easy they are to pick up as a beginner.
What Makes a Programming Language Good for Beginners?
Before jumping into the list, here are a few things that make a language beginner-friendly:
Simple syntax: The code should read somewhat like plain English so it is easier to understand.
Strong community: A large community means more tutorials, forums, and help when you get stuck.
Job demand: Learning a language with strong job opportunities means your skills are actually useful.
Versatility: A good first language should open doors to many areas like web, data, or apps.
Now let's look at the top languages to consider in 2026.
1. Python
Best for: Beginners, data science, AI, automation, backend web development
Python is the most popular beginner language in the world right now, and for good reason. It reads almost like plain English, which means you spend less time fighting syntax and more time actually understanding how programming works.
Here is a quick example of Python code:
name = "Manish"print("Hello, " + name + "!")
That is it. Simple and clean.
What can you build with Python?
Websites and web apps (with Django or Flask)
Data analysis and charts
Machine learning and AI models
Automation scripts (like renaming files or sending emails automatically)
Desktop applications
Why Python in 2026?
AI and machine learning are bigger than ever in 2026, and Python is the main language used in both fields. If you are interested in working with AI tools, building data dashboards, or automating boring tasks, Python is the best place to start.
Difficulty level: Easy. One of the easiest languages for complete beginners.
2. JavaScript
Best for: Web development, frontend, backend, mobile apps
If you want to build websites, JavaScript is not optional. It is the only language that runs directly in the browser, which means every website you interact with on the internet uses JavaScript in some way.
Here is a simple JavaScript example:
let name = "Manish";
console.log("Hello, " + name + "!");
Looks familiar, right? JavaScript and Python share a similar beginner feel, but JavaScript is built specifically for the web.
What can you build with JavaScript?
Interactive websites (buttons, menus, animations)
Web apps like Gmail or Trello
Mobile apps using React Native
Backend servers using Node.js
Browser extensions
Why JavaScript in 2026?
JavaScript is everywhere. It runs on the frontend (what users see) and the backend (the server side) using Node.js. Frameworks like React, Vue, and Next.js are still in extremely high demand in 2026. If web development is your goal, JavaScript is the first language you should learn.
Difficulty level: Easy to start, but gets more complex as you go deeper.
3. HTML and CSS (Not Exactly Languages, But You Need Them)
Best for: Beginners who want to build websites
Technically, HTML and CSS are not programming languages in the traditional sense. HTML is a markup language and CSS handles styling. But if you want to build anything on the web, you absolutely need to know both before you touch JavaScript.
HTML creates the structure of a page. CSS makes it look nice. Together, they are the foundation of every website.
<h1>Hello, World!</h1><p>This is my first website.</p>
h1 {
color: blue;
font-size: 32px;
}
Why learn HTML and CSS first?
If web development is your goal, start here. They are the easiest entry point into coding and give you visible results fast. Seeing your first webpage appear on a browser screen is a great way to stay motivated as a beginner.
Difficulty level: Very easy. Most beginners can build a basic website within a week.
4. SQL
Best for: Anyone working with data, backend development, business analytics
SQL (Structured Query Language) is used to talk to databases. Almost every application you use stores data somewhere, and SQL is how developers interact with that data.
Here is a simple SQL query:
SELECT name, age FROM users WHERE age >18;
That reads like a sentence: "Get the name and age from the users table where the age is greater than 18." SQL is very readable even for beginners.
What can you do with SQL?
Pull reports from a database
Analyze sales data
Build backend features for apps
Work as a data analyst or business intelligence specialist
Why SQL in 2026?
Data is everywhere. Companies need people who can query databases and make sense of the data they have. SQL is a must-know skill for anyone going into backend development, data science, or business analytics. It is also one of the highest-paying skills for non-developers who want to move into tech.
Difficulty level: Easy to learn the basics. More advanced queries take practice.
5. TypeScript
Best for: JavaScript developers who want cleaner, more reliable code
TypeScript is basically JavaScript with extra rules. It was created by Microsoft and adds a feature called "type safety," which helps you catch bugs before your code even runs.
letage: number = 25;
letname: string = "Manish";
The : number and : string parts tell TypeScript what kind of data each variable should hold. If you accidentally put text where a number should go, TypeScript warns you immediately.
Why TypeScript in 2026?
More and more companies are switching from JavaScript to TypeScript for large projects because it makes code easier to manage and less likely to break. If you are serious about becoming a web developer, learning TypeScript after JavaScript will make you a much stronger candidate in job applications.
Difficulty level: Moderate. Learn JavaScript first, then transition to TypeScript.
6. Java
Best for: Android development, enterprise software, backend systems
Java has been around since 1995 and it is still one of the most widely used languages in the world. Big companies, banks, and enterprise software systems often run on Java because it is very stable and scalable.
Java is more verbose than Python or JavaScript, meaning you write more code to do the same thing. That makes it a bit harder for beginners, but it also teaches you how programming really works under the hood.
What can you build with Java?
Android mobile apps
Large-scale web applications
Enterprise backend systems
Banking and finance software
Why Java in 2026?
Java remains one of the most in-demand languages for enterprise jobs. Android development also uses Java (and Kotlin, which is built on Java). If you want a stable, high-paying job at a large company, Java is a solid choice.
Difficulty level: Moderate. Not the easiest for beginners, but very rewarding.
7. Kotlin
Best for: Android app development
Kotlin is the modern replacement for Java in Android development. Google officially endorses Kotlin as the preferred language for Android apps. It does everything Java does but with much less code and a cleaner, more modern style.
funmain() {
val name = "Manish"
println("Hello, $name!")
}
Notice how much shorter and cleaner that looks compared to Java.
Why Kotlin in 2026?
If building Android apps is your goal, Kotlin is the language to learn. Most new Android projects use Kotlin, and the job market for Kotlin developers continues to grow. It is also easier to learn than Java, which makes it a great choice for intermediate beginners.
Difficulty level: Moderate. Easier than Java, but you should understand basic programming concepts first.
8. Swift
Best for: iOS and macOS app development
Swift is Apple's official language for building apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you dream of publishing an app on the App Store, Swift is what you need to learn.
let name ="Manish"print("Hello, \(name)!")
Swift is clean, fast, and beginner-friendly compared to older Apple languages. Apple also provides a free platform called Swift Playgrounds where beginners can learn through interactive exercises.
Why Swift in 2026?
The iOS developer market remains strong in 2026. Apple products have a huge user base, and businesses always need developers who can build and maintain iOS apps. If you own a Mac and want to build apps for Apple devices, Swift is the obvious starting point.
Difficulty level: Moderate. Easier to learn if you already know another language first.
9. Rust
Best for: Systems programming, performance-critical software, WebAssembly
Rust is a newer language known for being extremely fast and safe. It is used in situations where you need precise control over how your program uses memory, like building operating systems, game engines, or tools that handle millions of requests per second.
Rust is not a beginner language, but it is worth mentioning because it has been voted the most loved programming language by developers for several years in a row, and its popularity keeps growing in 2026.
Why Rust in 2026?
Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are increasingly using Rust for performance-sensitive parts of their systems. If you already know one or two languages and want to go deeper into how computers actually work, Rust is an excellent next step.
Difficulty level: Hard. Not recommended as a first language, but very valuable once you have experience.
10. Go (Golang)
Best for: Backend development, cloud infrastructure, microservices
Go was created by Google to make backend development faster and simpler. It is known for being easy to read, very fast, and excellent for handling lots of tasks at the same time (which is called concurrency).
package main
import"fmt"funcmain() {
fmt.Println("Hello, World!")
}
Go is popular at companies that need reliable, high-performance backend systems.
Why Go in 2026?
Cloud development and microservices are still growing rapidly. Go is one of the top choices for building the backend systems that power modern cloud applications. If you are interested in backend or cloud development and already know the basics of programming, Go is a great second or third language to learn.
Difficulty level: Moderate. Simpler than many languages at the same level of power.
How to Choose the Right Language for You
With so many options, here is a simple guide based on what you want to do:
Your Goal
Start With
Build websites
HTML, CSS, then JavaScript
Get a job as a web developer
JavaScript, then TypeScript
Work in AI or data science
Python
Build Android apps
Kotlin
Build iOS apps
Swift
Work with databases or data
SQL
Get into enterprise or large company work
Java
Learn backend or cloud development
Python or Go
High-performance systems (advanced)
Rust
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Before you pick a language and dive in, here are a few things to avoid:
Switching languages too often. This is called "language hopping" and it will slow you down. Pick one language and stick with it until you can build real projects with it.
Trying to learn everything at once. You do not need to master a language before starting your next one. Get to a point where you can build things, then explore further.
Skipping the basics. Variables, loops, functions, and conditions are the building blocks of every language. Learn these well no matter which language you choose.
Not building real projects. Watching tutorials is not enough. Build something. Even a simple to-do list app teaches you more than an hour of passive watching.
Final Thoughts
There is no single "best" programming language. The best one is the one that matches your goals and keeps you motivated to keep going.
If you are a complete beginner, start with Python or HTML and CSS and JavaScript. They are the most accessible, have the most learning resources, and open the most doors. Once you have the basics down, you will find it much easier to pick up a second or third language.
The most important thing is to start. Open a code editor, write your first line of code, and keep going. Every expert developer you look up to started exactly where you are right now.
Good luck, and happy coding.
Written for CodeWithBhurtel by Manish Bhurtel | codewithbhurtel.com
