Understanding that speed, in the tech world, is a necessity; every millisecond carries weight. This is particularly true for performance-critical projects that have a major reliance on speed for smooth running.

Have you ever observed that some apps load within seconds while others are sluggish, taking forever to open? True, it is much related to the quality of the internet connection. But this is also credited to the coding language that’s used during software development. The speed of the chosen language can significantly impact the app’s efficient running. It is this programming language that lies at the core of high-performance computing (HPC).

This article lists some coding languages that are considered the fastest for app development in 2025. Let’s begin by understanding the criteria for a speedy app and what is meant by HPC. 

What Makes a Language “Fast”? 

The speed of a programming language is not just based on its deployment time. Other factors play an equal role. Some of these include: 

• Efficiency in memory usage 
• Ability to handle parallelism 
• Ease of integration with low-level operations 

The following are some factors that serve as the criteria for determining an app’s speed: 

• Compiled vs Interpreted: Compiled languages usually perform better, e.g., C and C++. 
• Memory management: Manual control often leads to better optimization but requires careful handling, as is the case in C and C++. On the contrary, languages offering automated garbage collection and removal make things efficient but can cause delays. 
• Concurrency support: Languages that handle multiple tasks simultaneously tend to outperform others in HPC scenarios. These languages, such as Java, use Just-in-Time compilation to optimize the app’s code and speed things up. 

What is High-Performance Computing (HPC)?

Before we move any further with the list of programming languages, let’s quickly understand what is meant by HPC.

High-Performance Computing refers to systems possessing the ability to perform complex calculations and process data at extremely high speeds. The technology uses a cluster of powerful processors that simultaneously work to process massive, multidimensional data sets and solve complex problems. Such computing is often used in fields like: 

• Financial modeling 
• Scientific simulations 
• AI and machine learning 
• Big data analytics 
• 3D animation and rendering 

The irony is that the choice of programming language can make or break the performance of such systems. 

Best Fastest Programming Languages for HPC

1. C 

The all-time favorite, C, is an IT language that’s known for its raw execution speed. Its efficiency and speed allow it to work closely with the hardware level. This makes it a preferred choice for  

Heavy-performing apps, operating systems, and embedded systems.

This language works well in HPC scenarios due to the following reasons: 

• Offers direct memory access 
• Has efficient compilers (e.g., GCC, Clang) 
• Does not automatically collect memory from unused data 
• Exhibits low runtime overhead 

2. C++ 

Next in line is C++, which continues to dominate the coding world. This programming language builds on C and is popular for its versatility and performance efficiency. The language empowers developers to create high-performing, efficient, and optimized applications. C++ is a compiled language and offers extensive standard libraries. This is why C++ tends to outperform many modern languages.

For HPC, C++ is preferred because: 

• It has additional object-oriented features. 
• Merges low-level performance with high-level programming. 
• Has high optimized compilers. 
• Offers fine-tuned control over resources. 

3. Rust 

In the HPC world, Rust is among the newest players but has gained significant popularity since its entry. The language focuses on the safety of concurrency, offering a C++-like performance. It’s a game-changer for developers who aim to build speedy and robust apps. It has a syntax that makes it accessible to a wide audience of developers. In fact, Rust is also one of the most paid programming languages.

Rust is preferred for HPC because: 

• It aims for high performance and safety. 
• Allows memory storage without garbage collection. 
• The language ideally supports: 

Rust is used for: 

• System programming 
• Web assembly 
• High-concurrency apps 

4. Fortran 

Fortran is an old player in the world of computing but still very much alive in the sector of scientific simulations and research. For instance, this language is often used in legacy HPC apps, such as weather modeling and physics simulations.  In fields requiring floating-point precision and performance optimization, this language is an essential choice for developers.

This language works well in HPC scenarios due to the following reasons: 

• Optimized for array and mathematical operations 
• Offers performance tuning at low levels 
• Maintains high execution speed for legacy scientific code 
• Excellent floating-point accuracy for simulations 

5. Java 

Java is the star of the programming world and the software development world. The mobile app development language is well-known for the balance it offers between speed, portability, and stability. Java runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and uses a “write once, run anywhere” approach. This is among the languages that are commonly used for:

• Banking and enterprise application development
• Android mobile development
• Web servers and large-scale backend systems 

Java is a treasure for HPC because:

• JIT compilers optimize performance during runtime. 
• Offers advanced garbage collection. 
• Good memory management. 
• Vast ecosystem with mature libraries and frameworks 
• Cross-platform compatibility. 

6. Go (Golang) 

Go is a modern programming language that was designed by Google. This programming language for enterprise applications exhibits a build that features speed, simplicity, and efficient concurrency. Go has a minimalist syntax and built-in concurrency (via goroutines). This makes it a favorite for modern backend development and networked systems. The language is commonly used for: 

• Distributed systems 
• Cloud services and microservices 
• High-performance web APIs 

This language works well for HPC due to the following reasons: 

• Compiles quickly to fast, efficient machine code. 
• Goroutines handle thousands of concurrent tasks with ease. 
• Simplifies code maintenance. 
• Low memory overhead in execution. 

7. Julia

Another one of the fastest programming languages is Julia, built for high-performance scientific and numerical coding. It combines the ease of Python with the speed of C. Although it’s a relatively new language, yet has gained rapid adoption in AI, research, and data science communities.

• Has incredible speed and flexibility.
• High-speed execution due to LLVM-based compilation
• Supports dynamic typing while maintaining performance
• Efficiently handles numerical operations and mathematical problems

Final Words

Speed is one key element in software development. Languages that offer a balance of speed and optimization are the preferred choice for developers. This article explains the top 7 fastest programming languages that are suitable for high-performance computing. While each one of these has its significance, choosing between each of these languages can be a difficult decision.

No single language is perfect for every HPC scenario. The best approach is to evaluate your project’s specific needs. Also, choose a language that offers the right balance between speed, scalability, and ease of use.