The Future of Delphi Programming: Be Careful

Delphi, a once up-and-coming programming language, is often seen as “dying out”. A look at the developer community shows that the number of Delphi developers is declining compared to other languages, and most new developers are opting for languages such as Java, Python or C#.

This has led to a growing “skills gap” as fewer and fewer professionals with Delphi experience are available. A survey by Stackoverflow, one of the best-known question-and-answer websites for programmers and developers, shows that in 2025, only 1.8 % of developers worldwide (over 45.000 participants) will still use or be proficient in Delphi as a programming language. Even more alarming: of these, only just under 1% state that they are actively learning Delphi.

This leads to a growing skills gap, as fewer and fewer specialists with Delphi experience are available. We can help in different ways.

• Security: Older Delphi applications use outdated components or libraries that are no longer maintained. Security updates may not be available. When switching to newer operating system versions or integrating with modern protocols (TLS, OAuth, REST), gaps often arise. This creates an operational risk for companies.
• Scalability: Delphi was historically developed primarily for desktop/desktop Windows applications. Delphi is less than ideal for requirements such as cloud, web services, microservices, multi-tenant/load balancing/modern APIs. Maintaining and expanding large Delphi systems is becoming more difficult.
• Interfaces & integration: Modern systems expect interfaces (APIs, web, cloud, mobile). Delphi code can have difficulty integrating cleanly, especially if parts were created in old versions or if outdated data formats, serialisations, or obsolete components are used.
• Performance: Delphi often offers good performance for desktop programmes and smaller data-intensive tasks. However, for computationally intensive or highly parallel workloads (e.g. big data, high-frequency web services), Delphi can have disadvantages compared to more modern frameworks or languages such as C#/.NET, Go, Rust, or Node, etc.
• Maintainability of legacy code: Many Delphi systems have documentation deficits, dependencies on old libraries, and few tests (unit, integration). This increases the effort required for changes enormously. Errors are more difficult to find.

Despite the growing Delphi skill gap and the trend towards modernising legacy code, many companies continue to stick with Delphi because the language and its development environment still offer some tangible advantages. We have found that many Swiss companies still use Delphi-based applications. These solutions have proven themselves over the years and continue to fulfil their functions.

This combination explains why many companies continue to run their Delphi applications, even when the long-term modernisation of legacy software makes strategic sense.
The challenge arises when documentation is missing or knowledge of the application resides with a single person. If that person leaves the company, a dangerous knowledge gap is created that can seriously jeopardise operations.

We take over your business software, stabilise it, maintain it or modernise it.

Despite the skill gap, we are able to further develop, maintain and, if necessary, modernise your Delphi-based business software. Our team has the ability to understand and optimise legacy code and integrate it seamlessly and gradually into modern technologies. This enables us to maintain the stability and functionality of your Delphi applications while ensuring their future viability.

Delphi continues to be used in various industries. Especially in those that rely on long-standing and proven solutions that need to be continuously developed and maintained. Some industries where Delphi continues to be present include:

• Financial services: Banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions often use Delphi to develop applications for transaction processing, database management and risk analysis.
• Healthcare: Hospitals, doctors’ offices and medical research facilities use Delphi to develop patient management systems, imaging technologies and laboratory information systems.
• Production and manufacturing: In the manufacturing industry, Delphi applications are used to control manufacturing processes, automate equipment and collect production data.
• Logistics and transport: Companies in the logistics and transport sector use Delphi to develop systems for tracking goods, route optimisation and fleet management.
• Government and public sector: Government agencies and public institutions use Delphi to develop applications to manage citizen services, tax collection, security systems and much more.

We know that Delphi can no longer offer the long-term future viability that your business software needs. That’s why we offer you a step-by-step modernisation project, if desired, so as not to disrupt your business processes. Our development team not only has in-depth knowledge of Delphi, but also expertise in modern programming languages such as Python, .NET, C#, Java, and many more.

Overall, modernising your business software to a modern programming language will help increase the efficiency, flexibility and competitiveness of your company.

You can find more reasons why you should replace your Delphi application here.

If your business relies on Delphi-based systems, you may have wondered: Is it time to migrate to a more modern platform? Here are key considerations to help you decide:

1. When is Migration Necessary?

Migration becomes essential when your Delphi system shows clear limitations, such as:

• Difficulty finding skilled Delphi developers.
• Security vulnerabilities due to outdated dependencies.
• Challenges in scaling your software to meet current business demands.

If these issues sound familiar, a migration strategy may be worth exploring to ensure your software remains competitive, secure, and aligned with future business needs.

2. Risks of Staying with Legacy Delphi Systems

While Delphi has been reliable for decades, relying on it today carries risks:

• Incompatibility with modern tools or platforms.
• Reduced efficiency compared to newer programming languages.
• Increased maintenance costs as older technologies become obsolete.

By assessing these risks, you can determine whether sticking with Delphi could hinder your business growth or if transitioning to a modern platform could unlock new opportunities for scalability and innovation.

3. Migration Strategies: Tailored for Your Business

Transitioning from Delphi doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Consider these approaches:

• Partial Migration: Keep critical Delphi components while modernizing key modules.
• Complete Rewrite: Rebuild the entire system with a modern programming language.
• Integration Solutions: Use frameworks that bridge Delphi with newer platforms, minimizing disruptions.

Each strategy has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your business needs and budget, as well as the long-term goals you aim to achieve with your software.

4. Costs and ROI of Migration

Migration is an investment, but it can pay off in the long run:

• Short-Term Costs: Expenses for development, testing, and deployment.
• Long-Term ROI: Enhanced performance, reduced maintenance costs, and improved scalability.

By upgrading from Delphi, you position your business for sustained success and adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Future-proof your Delphi applications with expert modernization and migration. Optimize performance and stay competitive. Get in touch today!