Developers QUITTING Over Legacy Tech!

Developers frustrated by outdated tech stacks are increasingly considering quitting, citing embarrassment and loss of professional identity.

At a Glance

86% of developers say they are embarrassed by their company’s tech stack

58% have considered quitting due to outdated or inefficient systems

47.5% reported thoughts of resignation within the past year

27.5% listed legacy code maintenance as their top frustration

Data comes from a June 2025 survey of 200 developers by Storyblok

Developers Losing Patience

A survey by Storyblok released in June 2025 reveals a significant morale issue among software developers. Of the 200 respondents, 86% reported feeling embarrassed by the legacy technologies they work with, and 58% admitted they had considered quitting because of these outdated systems.

Within that group, 47.5% said they had thought about leaving their job within the last year, and 31% had those thoughts in the past month. The top frustration, cited by 27.5% of developers, was maintaining legacy systems and debugging archaic code.

Watch a report: Why Developers Are Leaving Over Old Tech.

Impact on Identity and Productivity

The survey, highlighted by TechRadar Pro, also shows how legacy technology affects more than just efficiency—it hits at identity. About 74% of developers said their tech stack influences how they are perceived professionally, while 19.5% said it defines who they are.

Other reported challenges include managing non-technical stakeholders (21.5%) and navigating unclear or shifting project requirements (14%). These friction points, compounded by outdated tools, contribute to increased burnout and turnover across tech teams.

A Growing Talent Risk

The findings underscore a growing retention risk for companies slow to modernize. Developers are not just leaving jobs—they are avoiding roles at companies known for lagging infrastructure. Without clear investment in up-to-date technologies, employers risk falling behind in the competitive market for technical talent.

As detailed in Storyblok’s full analysis, the reputational damage caused by legacy systems extends beyond internal frustrations. It can affect hiring, brand equity, and long-term project scalability—making modernization a strategic imperative.