When most people hear Ruby on Rails, they think web apps. But here’s the plot twist - Rails has quietly been powering mobile backends too, and in 2025 it’s still doing a solid job at mobile app development. While newer frameworks often get the spotlight, Rails remains that dependable toolkit developers reach for when they want speed, stability, and just the right amount of flexibility.
So, why are teams still betting on Rails for mobile projects? And when might you want to think twice before going down that road?
Let’s break it down.
Why Ruby on Rails be used for mobile apps?
Rails wasn’t born for mobile, but it’s aged into it gracefully. A few reasons developers still swear by ruby on rails mobile app development:
1. Turbo Native makes hybrid apps easier
Instead of coding everything twice (iOS and Android), Turbo Native lets you blend native navigation with HTML-powered screens from your Rails backend. That means faster delivery and lower costs.
2. Rails shines as an API machine
With API-only mode, Rails trims down into a lightweight, snappy backend that pairs well with React Native, Flutter, or good old native apps.
3. Background jobs keep things smooth
Nobody likes laggy apps. Rails handles push notifications, data sync, and email in the background, so users don’t feel the weight of heavy operations.
4. Real-time updates are within reach
Features like chat, alerts, or live presence? Turbo Streams (Rails’ WebSocket-based tool) make it simple without needing a tangle of third-party services.
5. Developer happiness counts
Ruby’s clean, human-like syntax and Rails’ “convention over configuration” approach mean faster builds and fewer headaches. With which, rails developers can hop on projects without weeks of ramp-up.
6. Security is baked in
Rails ships with essentials like CSRF protection and encrypted passwords by default, so mobile APIs aren’t left exposed.
7. A giant library of gems
Stripe, Twilio, Devise..you name it, there’s a gem for it. And they slide right into mobile projects without friction.
Put simply, Rails may not be the shiny new toy, but it still knows how to get the job done.
Things to Keep in Mind
Rails is versatile, but it’s not a silver bullet. Before committing, think about:
- Your app type: Rails works best as a backend for hybrid or API-driven apps. If you’re building a heavily native app, Rails should stay behind the curtain as your data and logic layer.
- Your team’s experience: Rails is friendly, but the learning curve is real if nobody’s touched it before.
- Your performance needs: Real-time chat? No problem. Ultra-low-latency gaming? Rails might not keep up without extra architecture.
- Scalability: Rails can grow with you, but you’ll need smart caching, background jobs, and scaling strategies if you expect heavy traffic.
When Rails Might Not Be Your Best Bet
Now, let’s be fair, Rails isn’t perfect. There are moments when it’s better to look elsewhere:
- Ultra real-time apps: Think multiplayer games or stock trading dashboards. Rails’ concurrency model can hit limits here.
- Offline-first apps: Rails doesn’t natively handle offline syncing and conflict resolution, so it takes extra effort.
- Serverless-first projects: Rails can run on AWS Lambda, but it’s not really designed for that environment.
- Microservices from day one: Rails is a monolith-first framework, which makes it great for building complete products fast, but clunky for microservice-heavy setups.
- Token-heavy authentication: Mobile apps often need stateless authentication. Rails can do it with gems, but it adds complexity.
Wrapping It Up
The mobile world keeps shifting, but Rails has shown remarkable staying power. For teams building hybrid apps or API-first projects, it continues to offer that sweet spot of speed, reliability, and developer comfort. Sure, it’s not the answer for every cutting-edge use case like ultra real-time gaming or deep offline-first experiences, but for the majority of mobile backends in 2025, Rails still delivers where it matters most.
The real advantage of Rails is its balance: fast enough to prototype, stable enough to scale, and mature enough to integrate with just about anything you throw at it. That mix makes it less of a “legacy tool” and more of a seasoned framework that knows how to get things done without fuss.
At RailsFactory, we’ve seen this play out across countless projects over the years. From startups chasing their first MVP to enterprises modernizing at scale, Rails consistently proves its worth in mobile app development. If you’re weighing whether Rails is the right fit for your next app or just want to talk through options, we’re always happy to help!
Top comments (0)