Released as open-source in July 2004, Ruby on Rails (or, as commonly abbreviated, RoR) has become one of the most effective frameworks for building great custom apps. Being both flexible and powerful, it’s getting even more popular among developers, no matter if they are just rookies or experienced professionals in websites built with ruby. Besides its great features and elegant code, RoR is famous for its large community ready to share their experience or help with various questions. Its latest version – Rails 7.0.2.2 – has been released just recently in February 2022. Keeping all these insights in mind, it’s no wonder that many reputable companies or service providers have decided to build their websites on Ruby. Professional tools, traveling, music, eCommerce applications –you name it. Here’s the list of the top 29 world-known ruby on rails website examples you should know (and use too).
Why Choose Ruby on Rails for Website Development?
RoR provides a flexible development process and speeds up the procedure ensuring all client requirements are met. The framework provides all kinds of integrations to suit any kind of project. This is possible due to the huge library of gems available.
MVC Ruby on Rails pattern breaks the task into three modules: Model, View and controller. This ensures the smooth functioning of the entire project. The Code of functions, like the data and presentation layers, is separated, and the resource layer is preserved. This allows Ruby on Rails developers to work simultaneously on different aspects.
Ruby on Rails is a complete package with tools to write server-side and client-side codes. The framework contains features provided by HTML, SQL, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
Some Interesting Statistics about Ruby on Rails
- Ruby on Rails was first released in July 2004 by David Hansson.
- Ruby on Rails powers more than 1 million websites at present.
- It was ranked 15th out of top 20 in Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2022.
- Ruby on Rails developers in America get one of the highest salaries.
- Three top industries which use Ruby On Rails for Web Framework include Web Development, Software Development, and Technology.
Ruby on Rails Website Examples
Thousands of websites have been created using Ruby on Rails. Many of them are doing well and have become popular. We have listed 25 amazing Ruby on Rails website examples below.
RoR Example #1: Shopify
As a first awesome ruby on rails website example we want to mention an eCommerce company from Ottawa, Canada, Shopify develops software for online stores. Shopify is one of the brightest examples of a successful company where Ruby on Rails is used as main technology. Ruby on Rails allowed them to scale the project without any problems and now Shopify holds the first position among current eCommerce platforms powering over 300.000 stores according to G2 Crowd’s (the leading eCommerce review platform) recent research. It is one of the most successful Ruby on Rails-based tech companies globally. Its closest competitor is Spree Commerce. And the battle Spree vs. Shopify has been lasting for almost 20 years.
If you’re familiar with the world of online merchants, you definitely know the name. And if you’re not, these are some facts for you to consider. And more importantly, it’s gaining more even popularity now as this platform is considered to be the easiest tool to start your online business (and has lots of other advantages as well). In case you are not confident with the platform, hiring a Shopify web developer will help you make it easier. And, finally, even if it’s not on the list yet, there’s one more thing to pay your attention to – Spree Commerce. It is a free open-source platform founded by ex-members of the Shopify team, a great tool we recommend and currently use for developing eCommerce projects. We have one more very famous ruby on rails website example!
RoR Example #2: Airbnb
They say, traveling is life and it’s hard to disagree. Airbnb is a favored online marketplace and homestay network making it possible for people to offer or rent short-term lodging with the cost of stay defined by the property owner. If you’re not into big names like Hilton or Ritz and you want to save some money – this service is worth your attention. The official website claims that Airbnb has over 7M listings in 100K cities and 220 countries. The numbers speak for themselves, so if you like to discover new places, try out Airbnb and see for yourself that it’s one of the greatest ruby on rails website examples!
Ruby on Rails helped Airbnb manage a huge amount of transactions and their large-scale payment systems are built with Rails.
RoR Example #3: Kickstarter
It is one of the great ruby on rails website examples. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding project with a mission in bringing creative projects, mostly in the field of arts and technology, to life. This way, project owners come up with their idea, and choose a deadline and a minimum funding goal to fulfill their dream. If the project seems to be interesting, they collect money from the public to record albums, shoot movies, make video games or just have… fun. If the goal is not met by the deadline, no money is collected. But what it has to do with Ruby on Rails? Kickstarter, obviously! Kickstarter is the global leading crowdfunding platform with really intriguing stats to share. Currently, the platform is available for creators from 25 countries (the US, the UK, and Canada are on the list), but you can donate from everywhere.
RoR Example #4: Bloomberg
Bloomberg is an information agency that promptly provides the most current and up-to-date financial information on stock markets, stock prices, analytics and other information about the state of the modern financial market. This is one of the largest financial and economic news agencies in the world, providing the summaries that both individual businessmen and entire companies need.
In addition to the Ruby on Rails framework, ASP.NET, Express, PHP are used. In Bloomberg’s tech stack there are over 12 libraries, including jQuery, RESPOND, Backbone.js, and others.
RoR Example #5: GitHub
GitHub is a web service that hosts billions of code lines, and every day, millions of programmers from around the world come together to jointly develop open source IT projects. Any developer uses GitHub or other tools based on Git almost every day. This platform is built completely in Ruby on Rails and for front-ent Backbone.JS is used.
In short, it is a platform for software developers based on the Git version control system. Version control systems allow developers to save all changes made to the code.
More than 40 million people use GitHub to discover, fork, and contribute to over 100 million projects.
RoR Example #6: Twitter
Twitter needs no introduction, and you may be surprised to know that it is built using Ruby on Rails.
Initially, it was written using Ruby on Rails & jQuery, allowing its developers to develop a fully functional product in a short period.
A few years later, it was built using Scala, but Ruby on Rails still remains part of the back end. It is extensively used to add functionality to applications.
RoR example #7: SlideShare
SlideShare (or officially, LinkedIn SlideShare) helps users to upload presentations files in various formats like PowerPoint, PDF or Keynote. These slides can be seen on the website itself, on mobile devices or, alternatively, users can embed them on other websites. If your P is for presentation, then your S is, more likely, for SlideShare. And this statement screams nothing but pure numbers: with over 18 million uploads in 40 content categories, SlideShare is one of the top 100 most-visited websites in the world! It is one of the well-known Ruby on Rails website examples.
RoR Example #8: Xing
XING is one of the great ruby on rails website examples. Xing was founded in August 2003 and this is the third professional network in the world by number of users. Xing is the equivalent of LinkedIn for the German, Austrian and Swiss markets. It has several language versions, but it is mostly used in German-speaking countries. It has 14 million users.
The audience at Xing is mostly European. It is suitable for networking for those who know German, there are most such users here. Xing allows you to work with CVs, search for employers, partners, find or post professional advice or other content.
Xing is mostly written in Ruby on Rails but has an additional rich tech stack of PHP, Perl, Redis, React, and Java.
RoR Example #9: twitch
Twitch is a live streaming video platform owned by Twitch Interactive, a subordinate of Amazon.com. Introduced to the general public in 2011, Twitch primarily pays particular attention to video gaming, including playthroughs, broadcasts of eSports competitions, creative content, and even music broadcasts. Users can watch the content live or via video on demand. And if you think gaming is for kids, well, think again – with a monthly audience of 100 million visitors, the game became more than serious. Ruby on Rails comes in handy when it comes to large numbers of visitors, making Twitch a part of our top ruby on rails website examples list.
RoR Example #10: Hulu
Hulu is a popular video streaming platform available in the United States and Japan as of now. Although smaller than Netflix, it is growing rapidly and releasing new shows monthly. Walt Disney Company has a majority stake in Hulu.
Despite being restricted to two countries, there are 47.2 million active subscribers of Hulu.
Ruby on Rails has been with Hulu since the very beginning. Although the platform was rewritten, Ruby on Rails is still used in its back end, with Backbone.JS used in the front end.
RoR Example #11: Basecamp
Basecamp was created by the same person who created Ruby on Rails. The name of the gentleman is David Heinemeier Hansson.
Basecamp is a project management software that is simple to work with. It is used by top-notch marketing firms, IT firms, schools, governments, and the list. The number has reached 75,000 from 166 countries across five continents.
Ruby on Rails has been highly critical to Basecamp’s growth. Starting from just 45 accounts in 2004 and reaching 2 million in 2016 required scaling up quickly and effectively.
RoR Example #12: Dribble
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Dribble is a directory of graphic design projects by a community of over 500,000 designers across the world. The platform allows its users to showcase their work and look for career opportunities.
It was built on Ruby on Rails but utilizes jQuery, HTML5, and History API elements.
The company is a distributed one with no headquarters and remote workers. It is one of the well-known Ruby on Rails website examples.
RoR Example #13: Crunchbase
CrunchBase is an online platform for insights into companies, from start-ups to the Fortune 1000. It can be called a Wikipedia of the global start-up scene. It is powered by TechCrunch and provides venture capitalists with business opportunities.
CrunchBase provides an overview of the status of the global start-up scene, along with reports.
The software part of CrunchBase is written on Ruby on Rails, and Varnish is used for page caching.
RoR Example #14: Zendesk
Zendesk is a web service with a bunch of applications to support customers and visitors. It helps employees, managers, and administrators help customers on the go. Customer support is a time-consuming process that does not stop even for a second and Zendesk was invented to solve this issue. Zendesk has more than 6000 paid accounts and annual revenue grows to $816M in 2019. Because of all this Zendesk definitely deserves a place among top ruby on rails website examples!
RoR Example #15: Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform with over 800,000 projects launched and 9 million investors.
It differentiates itself from other similar platforms like Kickstarter. For example, on Indiegogo, there is no need to have a prototype ready, you can collect funds simply by presenting your idea in any manner you want.
The platform allows innovators to test and validate their ideas before investing the resources.
Ruby on Rails forms the backbone of the entire Indiegogo system, and the company has been relying on it from the very beginning.
Indiegogo provides a lot of flexibility for raising money.
RoR Example #16: Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is the largest international community of travelers, bringing together people whose common goal is to “exchange hospitality” around the world. The platform’s backend was built with on Rails.
The essence of this community can be conveyed with the phrase, which is the motto of couchsurfing: “friends you haven’t met yet”. It was founded in 2003 in the USA. This is one of the largest independent traveler communities. It unites more than 12 million people in 200 000 cities around the world.
RoR Example #17: Ask.fm
This platform is very popular amongst millennials and Gen Z, with over 220 million registered users. It is based on a simple concept. Users can ask a question to a specific person who can be a friend or Ask.fm celebrity.
Although recently, there has been an outflow of users from the website, it is still one of the most popular Ruby on Rails-based platforms. During its peak, it attracted over 350 million visitors per month.
Apart from Ruby on Rails in the back end, it also utilizes jQuery and AJAX.
RoR Example #18: Etsy
Etsy is an eCommerce platform for vintage products. The main aim is to connect retailers of handmade and vintage products with potential suppliers or Clients.
It can be considered as a massive bazaar with 2 million merchants and over 50 million registered users.
Ruby on Rails helps Etsy to maintain a strong database, introduce new features easily, and a series of systems integrations.
RoR Example #19: Fiverr
Fiverr is an international freelance exchange, founded in 2010, which allows people to remotely earn money on their unique abilities and skills. Users can derive income from various fields of activity – copywriting, UX/UI services, frontend/backend development services, training, etc. A distinctive feature of the service is the pricing policy of services – the minimum cost of completing an order, referred to as the “gig” platform, is $ 5. However, freelancers can offer their services at a higher price, earning on one order many times more money with the help of upsells (“extra gigs”) – additional work that accompanies the main service.
Ruby on Rails and it’s combination with other technologies like React, jQuery, Python, helps to cope with high load and traffic and allows Fiverr to take a place among best ruby on rails website examples.
RoR Example #20: UrbanDictionary
An urban dictionary is a perfect platform to find out the meaning of a slang word. You can also use it to coin a new one, hoping someone will start using it.
It is also full of alternative definitions of well-known terms. For example, “programmer” is defined as “ a human, rock or anything else capable of turning pizza and caffeine into code”.
Urban dictionary is based on the Ruby on Rails framework and other frameworks like Heroku Vegur Proxy and Foundation.
RoR Example #21: Pitchfork
A Chicago-based mecca for devoted music lovers, this website was built with Ruby and has its primary focus on indie artists or bands. But not only – it covers well-known pop stars as well. They also organize the annual summer music festival with the same name. Pitchfork is seen as a place where you can find new uncommercialized music, check out various best-ofs and be aware of the latest trends in music. By visiting Pitchfork, you nurture your “before-it-was-cool” attitude: “type-a-band’s-name-here” is new? I listened to their stuff 3 years ago on Pitchfork”.
RoR Example #22: Diaspora
Diaspora is a different type of Social Media platform that is based on three principles: freedom, privacy, and decentralization. It does not own users’ data as Facebook does. The platform is not stored centrally but on local servers of the user’s choice.
Diaspora provides freedom of speech to its users, does not display ads, and refuses takeovers by giants.
The community may be smaller than Facebook or Twitter, but it is already 1 million and counting.
Diaspora is entirely built on Ruby on Rails and uses Backbone.JS for its front end.
RoR Example #23: Groupon
Groupon is an eCommerce marketplace connecting customers and local businesses. The marketplace offers discounts on products and services. It has over 50 million customers worldwide and is the biggest player in the sector.
It is one of the well-known Ruby on Rails website examples. Although, they moved to Node.JS a few years back.
Daily deals of restaurants, shops, and service providers across the US web interface have been powered by Ruby on Rails from the very beginning.
When Ruby on Rails was introduced for front-end development, Groupon was a small company. The advantage Ruby on Rails provides is that it makes it very easy to add new functionality. The entire application based on Rails pointed to a single database cluster.
Groupon later added more front-end servers and database replicas.
RoR Example #24: MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a mobile app and web application that helps make you look better and feel better. The platform tracks diet and exercise to determine the nutrients required to reach the user’s goal.
MyFitnessPal has been successful in reducing the weight of its users. It has very good reviews and social proof and has also won several awards. Their user base has already touched the 150 million mark.
Ruby on Rails powers both the app as well as the website of MyFitnessPal.
RoR Example #25: Codecademy
Codecademy is a free online platform that offers coding classes. It has become one of the most popular platforms for learning web development and mobile app development. Over 45 million learners trust it for their professional growth.
The platform offers many courses in various programming languages, including Java, Python, HTML, Ruby, JavaScript, and CSS.
Codecademy is written using Ruby and based on the Ruby on Rails framework. The platform also makes use of JavaScript and React.JS libraries.
RoR Example #26: Square
The company manufactures payment card readers for physical retailers. The card readers can be set up with a smartphone or tablet and operated via an app. Square provides software in the form of web and mobile applications.
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, created Square in 2009. It already has a user base of over 15 million users.
Similarly to Twitter, Square was also mostly written on Ruby on Rails. However, in 2015, developers switched the back end to JVM.
RoR Example #27: Yammer
Yammer is a web application that is useful for internal communication in organizations and enterprises. This helps in collaboration between colleagues who work from different locations or offices.
Yammer is available both in the form of an app and website applications.
The platform’s backend is wholly built on Ruby on Rails. The front end comprises Java and Unicorn, with Nginx as web servers.
RoR Example #28: Scribd
Scribd is a repository of over 40 million books, magazines, and audiobooks. They are available on subscription. The user number has reached over 80 million and is growing.
The platform allows users to upload and host their own content, including various documents. It is one of the well-known Ruby on Rails website examples.
The technology it is based on is mostly Ruby on Rails and is supported by React and Backbone.js.
RoR Example #29: Fab
It is an online marketplace that is focused on design. It is for customers who are looking for beautiful, unique wellness and fitness products.
Fab offers a wide range of products, including artifacts, clothes, and tech gadgets. However, they have one thing in common, which is a beautiful design. Fab specializes in the design of its products.
The design-based product platform uses Ruby on Rail as its main framework and Ruby as the main programming language. Fab also makes use of Backbone.js and New Relic.
Ruby on Rails Development with SumatoSoft
SumatoSoft is a software development service provider that became a technological partner to its Clients across 27 countries. Our portfolio counts over 150 successful projects in various industries like eCommerce app development, Elearning software, Finance, Real Estate, Logistics software development, Travel, and more.
The company delivers exemplary services in 10+ business domains and works with all types of technologies like Big Data, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, web, mobile, and progressive app development. However, our key expertise areas are Ruby on Rails and the Internet of Things development.
We mastered Ruby on Rails working on projects like:
- the user interfaces for robot operation;
- custom ERP system for Toyota car dealer;
- big data trading platform.
And dozens of other projects. We also enjoy writing about Ruby on Rails technology and know its usage, pitfalls, benefits. Look at our blog articles:
- Build Your Live-Streaming Service with Ruby on Rails and TokBox.
- Ruby on Rails for Startups: Birds of a Feather.
- Why use Ruby on Rails for Your Software Development Project.
- 15+ Best Sources to Hire Ruby on Rails Developers for Your Project.
We can make a massive contribution to the development of complex projects. Contact us if you are looking for high-level technical expertise.
Bottom Line
As you can see the number of great ruby on rails website examples is not low. Many world-known companies from different industries – including ecommerce, travel, ad websites, saas services, crowdfunding, and news portals – choose Ruby on Rails because:
- Faster development saves time and money, and this is important for building MVP. Ruby has better time-to-market indicators. That is one of the reasons why Ruby on Rails is so popular among startups. Thanks to this, more money can be invested in the development of additional functionality, in marketing, etc.
- Creating and scaling Ruby on Rails projects is relatively easy and cheap, it is also a great option for creating backend tools.
- Frequent updates and brilliant new solutions created by huge developers community guarantee faster and easier development of applications using this framework.
- Ruby on Rails allows you to write beautiful and readable code. This is facilitated by a well-selected set of best approaches in terms of code implementation and testing. Such code will simply be understood and maintained, as well as improved while maintaining the stability and performance of the entire solution as a whole.
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