Future of Software Development Program in 2026 – Trends to Follow

We are in the era of AI, and we entered November – just 1 more month away from 2026. Every year brings new updates in Technology, and let’s read what 2026 has in store for software developers. If you are going to start your career in a software development program in 2026, then this blog can help you understand the future of software development – trends you need to know to keep yourself updated with the advancements. 

Current Scenario – Software Development Program

Companies are spending more money on technology than ever before. In fact, most businesses plan to increase their tech budgets this year. The majority of them are investing heavily in new AI tools. This is happening all over the world, and the total amount spent on technology is expected to reach a massive $5.6 trillion USD, according to a report by Gartner. 

This leads to an important question: with all these new technologies available, what should a company focus on to succeed? In this blog, we’ll look at the latest and most important software trends that are changing the way we live and work. Let’s get started.

AI Artificial Intelligence for Everyday Tasks

As we already discussed, AI is ruling the world, especially in the software industry. By 2026, AI will be a necessity and no longer a novelty. As per the recent survey, 84% of developers are already into AI for their tasks or are planning to use AI tools for their tasks, up from 76% last year, and over half (51%) now use them daily. GitHub Copilot, Claude with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf are the tools that now act as intelligent pair programmers, offering real-time context-aware suggestions, code refactoring, and automated documentation. 

The role of AI in software development has expanded from a coding aide to a comprehensive workflow manager, handling tasks from system architecture and test creation to deployment and monitoring. This transformation is driven by multimodal tools that understand natural language, enabling developers to collaborate with AI through simple conversation. The result is a dramatic acceleration of development cycles, reducing project timelines from months to weeks and giving startups and small teams the ability to compete with much larger organizations. This clearly opens a new era of self-directed development and intelligent design. 

Blockchain-Backed Software Systems

Apart from cryptocurrency, Blockchain is also evolving at a fast pace. There is an increase in the usage of smart contracts, especially in Finance and Logistics. In 2026, it will grow more in software licensing, identity management, and decentralized healthcare records.

Among other trends in the software industry coming in 2026, companies are considering blockchain as one of the top software engineering innovations, with Deloitte reporting that 73% of executives believe it provides a strategic edge. Achieving new levels of trust and transparency requires a foundation of secure, unchangeable data. This is why blockchain is now essential, with frameworks like Hyperledger and Polygon providing the tools to build powerful, tamper-proof systems for business. 

Cross-Platform Apps with Modern Frameworks

Every major business these days requires a mobile app (iOS and Android) integrated with their website without maintaining two different databases. Frameworks like Flutter and React Native have evolved significantly, now enabling developers to create applications with performance that rivals native apps, all from a single, shared codebase. 

It is even cost-saving while reaching a wider audience and multiplying users. This represents the most practical path for most businesses entering app development. These mobile tools increasingly borrow from the agility of modern web frameworks, creating a unified and efficient development workflow.

Rise of No-Code or Low Code for Business Logic

Low-code and no-code platforms are undergoing a fundamental shift, transitioning from departmental utilities to the core of enterprise application development. By 2026, leaders such as Bubble, Adalo, and Microsoft Power Platform are set to redefine how custom software is created.

The latest iterations of these platforms incorporate sophisticated AI automation, robust security architectures, and seamless omnichannel user experiences. With forecasts suggesting that the vast majority of enterprise applications will soon be built on these frameworks, organizations can now achieve unprecedented development velocity without sacrificing governance or control.
This movement is central to the wider trend of levelling the playing field in software creation. It empowers professionals across the business – regardless of their coding background – to actively build scalable, intelligent solutions. In an era of rapid digital transformation, these platforms are crucial for accelerating innovation and shrinking the time from idea to implementation. 

Join the Software Development Program at ABM College

The Software Development program at ABM College, Canada, is 56 weeks. This online software development course includes a 4-week practicum where students can have hands-on experience and acquire the necessary skills to work in this industry. Our comprehensive curriculum goes beyond just coding, teaching you how to design, test, and deploy robust software applications. This holistic approach ensures you are not just a coder, but a well-rounded developer ready to contribute from day one.  

Conclusion 

By 2026, the software landscape is set for a significant shift, fueled by advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and more intelligent cloud infrastructures. Major developments on the horizon feature AI-assisted coding, low-code and no-code platforms that enable business users to build applications, cybersecurity defences that operate autonomously, and flexible cloud systems designed for a hybrid workforce. Furthermore, emerging fields such as the Internet of Things, quantum computing, and the data-driven Internet of Behaviour are paving the way for instant data analysis and deeply customized user experiences.   

To inquire about the Software Development Program, call us 1-at 800-840-9680. Our admissions team will assist you with the admission process. To read more about our latest blogs, please visit our blog page.