Why do many businesses still face memory bugs and performance issues even after years of development? It’s not always the code, it’s often the language. Traditional programming languages like C or C++ are powerful, but they carry hidden risks.
Rust solves these problems in a new way. It removes entire classes of bugs at compile time. That’s a huge win for teams that care about safety and speed.
Rust has been voted the “most admired programming language” for eight years straight. Nearly 85% of developers who try Rust say they want to keep using it. That tells us one thing, companies using Rust are on to something big.
What Makes Rust Attractive to Modern Companies?
Modern software must be fast, safe, and reliable. Rust was made to solve the real issues that developers face with memory, concurrency, and performance. It’s not just about syntax. Rust changes how teams write and ship code.
Rust has earned a reputation for safety and performance, making it a top choice for companies building scalable systems. If you’re new to the language, this overview of what Rust is breaks down its core features and benefits.
Top Companies That Use Rust in Production
More companies are moving critical systems to Rust. These businesses want better performance, fewer bugs, and cleaner long-term code. Rust fits perfectly in infrastructure, backend services, embedded systems, and even security tools.
Here’s what companies that use Rust are actually building with it. Wondering which companies use Rust in mission-critical systems? Here’s a deep dive:
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS built Firecracker with Rust, a microVM designed to safely run container workloads at scale. It serves millions of microVMs daily across AWS Lambda and Fargate.
Rust’s performance and memory safety help AWS provide isolated environments with low overhead. Firecracker proves that Rust can handle system-level tasks without sacrificing efficiency.
Use Cases:
- Powering AWS Lambda functions across containers
- Fast cold boot of microVMs
- Secure workload isolation per customer
- MicroVM-based serverless compute
- Dynamic resource scaling backend
Pros:
- Improves VM boot time and response
- Offers strong memory safety features
- Saves compute resources at scale
Cons:
- Harder hiring for Rust roles
- Requires custom internal tooling
- Learning curve for older teams
2. Microsoft
Microsoft is rewriting Windows components in Rust to improve safety and maintainability. The goal is to reduce vulnerabilities linked to memory issues. They’ve started implementing Rust in the Windows kernel and associated libraries, moving away from C++ for parts of the system where stability is essential.
Use Cases:
- Kernel memory management tools
- Low-level driver rewrites
- CLI-based utilities for developers
- System API libraries
- Windows diagnostics infrastructure
Pros:
- Eliminates many memory-related bugs
- Makes legacy systems safer to maintain
- Introduces better thread safety standards
Cons:
- Breaks legacy build systems
- Limited ecosystem for Windows APIs
- Resistance from older developer base
3. Meta (Facebook)
Meta rebuilt internal source control tools using Rust. Their large monorepo system struggled with scale and speed. Rust helped them achieve safer concurrency and faster diff calculations. It reduced downtime in their developer workflows and improved overall codebase integrity.
Use Cases:
- Git proxy servers
- Internal code search infrastructure
- Diff generators and tree comparisons
- Build system cache handlers
- Access control for repositories
Pros:
- Faster developer tooling
- Reduces system crash risk
- Handles large repositories well
Cons:
- Custom Rust tooling needed
- Complex refactor from older code
- Small internal Rust talent pool
4. Google
Google integrated Rust into the Android Open Source Project. It is now used to write safe system components in Android. This transition helps reduce memory bugs in critical functions, including media processing and file system access.
Use Cases:
- Android media codecs
- Secure file management systems
- In-device update verification
- Modular security libraries
- Audio routing and buffering
Pros:
- Protects users from memory faults
- Raises security level of Android code
- Performs well on mobile hardware
Cons:
- C and Rust interoperability issues
- Slow migration from existing C code
- Small set of contributors
5. Dropbox
Dropbox uses Rust in its sync engine, which moves files across devices. Rust replaced older code written in Python and C++. The result was reduced CPU use, better concurrency, and smoother background syncing across platforms like macOS and Linux.
Use Cases:
- Cross-platform file syncing
- Real-time conflict resolution
- Secure metadata tracking
- Background bandwidth throttling
- Disk usage optimization engine
Pros:
- Enhances speed and file accuracy
- Lowers processor usage under load
- Increases syncing reliability
Cons:
- Hard to blend with legacy code
- Documentation still growing
- Onboarding new Rust developers
6. Discord
Discord uses Rust for backend services, including message routing and presence tracking. They faced latency with Go and saw Rust as a faster and more reliable option. Now, users experience quicker message delivery even during peak load.
Use Cases:
- Presence and status updates
- Real-time chat backend
- Notification delivery services
- WebSocket connection manager
- Media pipeline optimization
Pros:
- Cuts average latency for messages
- Handles user traffic spikes well
- Rust integrates well with Go services
Cons:
- Mixed-language codebase management
- Rust debugging can be hard
- Training time for team members
7. Cloudflare
Cloudflare built Pingora, a web proxy written in Rust to replace NGINX. It reduced their CPU usage and improved connection management. Rust’s safety model helped them ship faster without hidden security bugs.
Use Cases:
- Reverse HTTP proxy
- TLS termination and negotiation
- Header sanitization and logging
- Request routing with load balancing
- DoS mitigation layer
Pros:
- Cuts resource cost on large scale
- Makes systems more secure by design
- Easier bug detection before shipping
Cons:
- Rust async ecosystem is complex
- High entry barrier for contributors
- Migration from NGINX was slow
8. NPM (Node Package Manager)
NPM used Rust in its authentication services after facing performance issues with JavaScript. Rust helped improve security checks, handle load, and reduce delays during login operations for large volumes of users.
Use Cases:
- Secure login and token creation
- User session management
- Password hashing and validation
- Rate limiting by user tier
- Error logging and audit tracing
Pros:
- Improves performance at login layer
- Uses less memory per auth cycle
- Secures sensitive auth data flows
Cons:
- Maintains JS-Rust communication bridges
- Deployment complexity increased
- Extra CI/CD maintenance steps
9. Polkadot
Polkadot is built completely in Rust to create a secure and fast blockchain framework. Rust enables Polkadot to support parallel blockchains (parachains) that communicate efficiently, something critical for decentralized systems.
Use Cases:
- Blockchain runtime module
- Validator coordination protocol
- Smart contract execution layer
- Consensus mechanism enforcement
- Data availability and network sync
Pros:
- Excellent concurrency control for chains
- High performance for cryptographic code
- Stable base for decentralized networks
Cons:
- Heavy on developer onboarding
- Frequent updates to maintain core
- Requires deeper cryptography skills
10. Linux Kernel
Rust is now supported in the Linux kernel. Developers use it to write safe drivers and modules. This makes kernel contributions more secure, with less risk of memory bugs. The Linux team began slowly but plans wider adoption.
Use Cases:
- Writing safer device drivers
- Handling user input drivers
- Kernel security modules
- Background process schedulers
- Fault-tolerant loggers
Pros:
- Adds memory safety to kernel modules
- Helps catch issues at compile time
- Reduces risk of system panics
Cons:
- Limited Rust support in kernel API
- Tooling still under active work
- Not all subsystems are compatible yet
Many businesses compare Rust with older, low-level languages when choosing the best fit for system programming. A closer look at Rust vs. C highlights where each language stands out.
Why Companies Choose Rust Over C++, Go, or Java
Many ask: What companies use Rust when they already have C++ or Go? Rust often replaces these languages in performance and safety-sensitive systems. Java might be easier, but it brings garbage collection issues. C++ is fast, but harder to secure.
Studies show Rust’s performance matches C++ in many tests. Some Rust routines even run faster, which matters in system software.
Companies adopting Rust often seek reliable performance and memory safety for backend and embedded systems. LITSLINK’s Rust development services support projects that require high-efficiency architecture and long-term scalability.
Rust’s Role in Building Secure Infrastructure and APIs
Security is one of the biggest reasons companies that use Rust rely on it for building critical infrastructure and API systems. Traditional languages like C leave room for memory mismanagement, which becomes a target for attackers.
Rust closes that gap with a strict compiler, strong typing, and an ownership model that prevents common vulnerabilities like buffer overflows, null pointer dereferencing, and race conditions.
The absence of a garbage collector also ensures consistent latency, a key factor for real-time API services. Teams building internal platforms or external-facing services increasingly choose Rust for its defensive coding standards and predictable behavior under stress.
Future of Rust in Enterprise Software Development
Rust is now more than a hobby language. Big companies treat it like a core tool. It’s entering more areas like cloud infrastructure, embedded devices, security, and enterprise platforms.
Embedded Systems
Rust works great in memory-constrained devices. It avoids stack overflows and runtime errors. Many IoT products now use Rust in sensors, smart devices, and firmware updates.
Enterprise APIs
Rust APIs are fast, safe, and scalable. With frameworks like Actix and Axum, teams build REST services that outperform older tech stacks.
Cloud Services
Rust handles high-load tasks like proxies, log collectors, and resource managers. Its stability under pressure makes it ideal for cloud workloads.
CLI and Internal Tools
Command-line tools in Rust start fast, use less RAM, and rarely crash. Great for engineers who want stable workflows.
Blockchain and Web3
Rust is strong in crypto. It powers entire blockchain systems due to its safety and performance combo.
For teams that want to explore Rust without hiring full-time staff, flexible development support is key. You can hire experienced developers to work on Rust-based solutions tailored to your business goals.
LITSLINK: Your Trusted Development Partner for Rust-Based Projects
You’ve seen what companies using Rust programming language are building, tools that are safer, faster, and cleaner. Now, what about your business? If you’re thinking of trying Rust but lack internal talent or time, we can help.
At LITSLINK, we help startups and enterprise teams build products with Rust that solve real problems. If it’s API services, backends, or developer tools, we write production-grade code that holds up under pressure.
Have a high-performance project in mind? Let’s talk.
LITSLINK – reliable technical partner for developing applications and business software on Rust.