Update: Top 21 famous websites built with Ruby on Rails

In 2015, we had prepared a chart that hit the bull's eye and became one of the most popular articles on the Prograils blog. Watching the surge in demand for Ruby on Rails, we listed ten most famous websites built with the popular web development framework. Over the years, the catalogue has expanded and is growing to this day. This is why we revisit the article every now and then.

Ruby on Rails back then and now

A lot has changed since Ruby on Rails’ first release in 2004. Considering trends, market demand, the emergence of new technologies and other changes in the industry, this article simply deserves to be updated.

2021: Rails is still in the game

Despite the rumors that Ruby on Rails is dead and after multiple articles have been published to enforce or dismiss this thesis, the framework is still alive and well. The 2020 Stack Overflow survey lists Rails as the 13th most popular web framework among professional developers. Unlucky 13? Imagine still being in the game 17 years after entering the scene, having a growing GitHub community (over 4,000 as of 2021) which means improvements on a regular basis (read more about Rails 6).

All this makes Rails strong enough to build successful MVPs that hit the product/market fit, launch profitable startups, and attract giants.

Famous pages using Rails

Some of websites listed in 2015 switched to different languages and frameworks despite the fact that Rails still scales pretty well. Simply, as the world moves forward, some of the companies that grew with Rails are in a different place right now. As the time goes by, the next step is the one that has to be done.

Finally, some of the websites that made it onto the 2015 list still use Ruby on Rails and benefit from its mature stability. Over the years, the new ones joined the list.

Below you'll find the updated list of best websites that use Ruby on Rails.

1 - Basecamp

Some might say “thank you, Captain Obvious”. Chances are, though, that some of you still don’t know that world’s no. 1 project management management tool was, and still is, the first web application developed with Rails. David Heinemeier Hansson, who was in charge of the project invented this framework during the development of the product.

2 - Airbnb

A web service for everyone who wants to rent a holiday accommodation. Founded in 2008, it connects hosts and travellers all over the world.

3 - GitHub

Our favorite. A social network platform for developers. Essential tool for every code lover. The most popular code hosting service in the world with over 31 million users and 100 million repositories as of 2019.

4 - Shopify

E-commerce shop that allows users to build an online store. Necessity is the mother of invention - it was created in 2004 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake as the already existing e-commerce sites were not satisfying.

5 - Groupon

Well-known to every bargain hunter. The website which main idea is to offer coupons for deals to its local or international subscribers. Launched in 2008 in US, quickly spread and gained popularity, all over the world.

6 - Goodreads

World’s leading online catalogue of books that managed to build a global community of readers over the years. At Goodreads, you can search and create library catalogues and reading lists. You can also follow the reviews, find interesting recommendations - simply said a seventh heaven for every bookworm.

7 - Kickstarter

The leading crowdfunding platform supporting creative efforts. From indie bands collecting money for their records, to MVPs, Kickstarter helped thousands of projects to emerge and take off.

8 - Hulu

A VOD service, a favorite site of almost every Family Guy fan. Founded in 2007, offers a wide selection of TV shows, etc. Sort of free TV on your computer.

9 - Slideshare

E-learning platform that allows you to upload and share presentations. Created in 2006, it took only one year to hit 3 million unique visitors. Impressive one.

10 - Twitch

If you are a gamer and haven’t heard of Twitch, then you’re likely missing out on something (or still having time for other activities).

11 - Yellow Pages

A famous book with business directories and telephones stepped into the virtual world, known as the Internet Yellow Pages or IYP. Ruby on Rails based website, the biggest one that IT&T runs.

12 - Urban Dictionary

A crowdsourced online dictionary of slang, founded in 1999 and powered by Ruby on Rails. The must-visit website for contemporary human-being ever called ‘nerd’.

13 - Dribbble

This is the place where designers share their work, make new contacts and get praise. What’s interesting, also established software companies sign up on Dribbble to showcase their work and reach potential clients with their portfolios.

14 - Crunchbase

From early-stage startups, to Fortune 1000 companies, Crunchbase serves as a prime source of information about firms that are pushing the envelope and the people behind them.

15 - Zendesk

Running on Ruby on Rails, Zendesk is a customer support system that enables tracking, setting priorities and solving tasks. Most famous users include Slack, Tesco, Airbnb and Shopify. Some of which, as you might have learned also use Rails.

16 - Bloomberg

A famous and trusted source of market, financial and political news. If you are an executive, government official or are simply interested in business and economics, Bloomberg is probably already in your favorites. The New York-based company’s technological stack includes C++, JavaScript, Python and Ruby on Rails inter alia.

17 - Soundcloud

Music lovers: creators and listeners are familiar with Soundcloud. For years, this platform enabled artists and record labels to present their work to millions of people around the globe. Soundcloud’s original version, dubbed Mothership, was created as a single Ruby on Rails application, running on Ruby’s official interpreter MRI. Having experienced a high user rise, Soundcloud was rewritten using jvm. Learn more about the platform’s beginnings.

18 - Genius

If you search for a song’s lyrics online, Genius will most likely be among top results. Started in 2009 with sole focus on rap and hip-hop, the website has been backed by Ruby on Rails since its early days. You can check its GitHub repository for more details. Over the years, the page has evolved to include also pop and rock music, as well as film, literature and history-related content.

19 - Instacart

The second highest valued technology startup, right behind SpaceX, is Instacart, the groceries delivery and pick-up company from the USA. The backend of Instacart was originally written in Ruby on Rails. Although the company widened its tech stack over the years, it still hires Rails developers.

20 - Etsy

An online flea market for hand-made jewellery and vintage accessories, Etsy, is yet another proof that Rails does well in e-commerce

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21 - Fab

Fitness goods, nice prices and original design. This is what Fab, an e-commerce platform for sports & wellness lovers is all about. Ruby on Rails is said to be its main web development framework with some New Relic and Backbone.js additions.

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