Outdated systems are wearing developers down. A recent survey by headless CMS company Storyblok found that nearly half of senior developers at mid-to-large companies have thought seriously about quitting in the past year. The reason? Tools that don’t work the way they need them to. Legacy code, missing features, and poor integration with modern tools are the common complaints.
When asked what made them unhappy in their day-to-day jobs, the top issue was fixing bugs in old systems. Dealing with stakeholders who don’t understand tech, and unclear or shifting project goals, followed closely. For many, these are the kinds of problems that drain energy fast. Developers often end up spending more time on maintenance and troubleshooting than building new features or solving problems in creative ways.
AI adoption isn’t optional anymore for developers
One key frustration is the growing gap between how developers want to work and what their tools allow. AI tools are now part of daily workflows for most developers: In the same Storyblok survey, 89.5% of respondents said they use AI frequently or constantly for coding, relying on it to speed up work, take care of routine tasks, and improve their skills.
Tasks like writing boilerplate code, debugging, generating test cases, or getting quick explanations are now easier with AI support. But not all tech stacks are ready for AI, and around 31% of developers said poor compatibility with new tech like AI was one of the main reasons they’d consider quitting. Without the right infrastructure, they’re stuck doing things manually, or building workarounds that waste time. The disconnect has become a deal-breaker for many.
The problem isn’t just that AI tools are missing, it’s that teams are being asked to move fast and compete, but are stuck with stacks that weren’t designed for current expectations. Developers see this mismatch every day.
Tech stack shame is real, and it’s widespread
There’s also a growing sense of embarrassment about the tools developers have to use. In the same survey, 24.5% said they’re embarrassed by their team’s continued use of legacy systems. Another 22.5% pointed to technical debt and shortcuts. About 18% were uncomfortable with outdated frameworks and libraries. Only 14% said they felt no embarrassment at all.
Developers also said that technical debt is growing faster than teams can manage. Without time or support to address it, the result is messy, fragile systems that only a few people understand. That makes onboarding harder and raises the risk of errors.
Stack quality tied closely to developer identity
The survey also asked developers how much their tech stack influences their professional identity. About 74% said it has a “significant” impact, and another 19.5% said it “defines” them, while just 2.5% said their stack didn’t matter at all.
This helps explain why poor tooling can lead to burnout or resignation. Developers don’t just use the stack, but build on it. It’s how they measure progress, test ideas, and solve problems. When those tools are weak, it doesn’t just slow down work – it makes them feel like they’re stuck.
When developers are proud of their tools, they tend to talk about them, share best practices, and push improvements. When they’re not, they stay quiet or focus on damage control. The shift in mindset can affect everything from team collaboration to code quality.
Retention hinges on modernisation, not just money
Some companies might assume a pay raise is enough to stop people from quitting. But developers are clear about what they want, and when asked how to improve things, 37.5% said companies need a clear modernisation plan with real funding behind it. The same percentage said the leadership team must care about technical quality, not just features.
Companies that treat stack improvements as low priority may lose staff even if they offer pay bumps. Many developers see their toolset as a reflection of how seriously their employer takes their work. Without signs of change, they start looking elsewhere.
Interestingly, even though most developers said their tech stack needs help, nearly half still believed their setup was ahead of the curve. About 49.5% said their company’s tech stack was better than others in the industry, while 41.5% said it was on par.
Conclusion
The data paints a clear picture: developers are no longer willing to tolerate tools that slow them down, especially when AI offers new ways to work faster and smarter. They want to be part of teams that invest in the right infrastructure, support modern coding practices, and treat technical quality as a priority.
Ignoring these concerns comes at a cost. Companies that don’t modernise risk losing their best talent to those that do.
See also: AI trends shaping software development in 2025
Looking to revamp your digital transformation strategy? Learn more about Digital Transformation Week taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with IoT Tech Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, and other leading events.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.