Today, 8.93 million mobile apps are available worldwide, all created with mobile app development software. These software facilitate and fasten mobile app development lifecycle, thanks to their advanced features like code libraries and framework, application programming interface (API), integrated development environment (IDE), and others.
This article introduces the best software for mobile app development, their unique features, supported platforms, pros and cons, and prices.
Table of Contents
1. Ionic
Ionic is a popular UI toolkit for creating mobile apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript web technologies. It is an open-source app builder that seamlessly integrates with frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue. Developers can build performant and visually appealing mobile apps with Ionic, which prioritizes front-end user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). It enables developers to create apps for various platforms using a single codebase.
Features:
- Cross platform development with a single code base
- Prebuilt UI components and smartphone plugins
- Customized mobile-optimized themes
- Integrations with frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue
- Live reload and debugging
Supported platforms:
- iOS
- Android
- Web platforms, including progressive web apps.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Time- and cost-effective
- Extensive community and resources base for support and guidance
Cons:
- Plugins aren’t compatible with each other
- Random crashes without apparent reason
Price:
- 30 days free trial
- Basic: $499/month
- Standard: $2499/month
- Enterprise: Contact
2. Xamarin
Xamarin, founded by Microsoft in 2011, is open source app builder. It builds Windows, Android, and iOS apps using a single programming language - C#. Developers can leverage the flexibility and power of C# while building cross-platform mobile applications. Xamarin offers the Xamarin Test Cloud, allowing developers to test their apps on various real mobile devices.
Features:
- Real-time testing module
- Seamless integration with backend services, native APIs, components, and more.
- Seamless integration with popular databases like SQLite, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2.
- Supports technologies such as .NET and C#.
- UI controls, cross-platform libraries, and third-party libraries.
- Application indexing and deep linking capabilities.
Supported platforms:
- Windows
- Linux
- macOS
Pros:
- Seamless native-like app development with C#, .NET, and Visual Studio.
- Powered by Microsoft, Xamarin provides strong support, regular updates, and integration with popular Microsoft tools and services.
Cons:
- Not suitable for gaming apps or apps with complex UI
- Platform-specific code requires learning and adapting
Price:
- Free
3. React Native
React Native is a JavaScript framework allowing developers to build native mobile apps. It uses the same building blocks as native iOS and Android apps but with JavaScript and React, enabling code reuse and faster development. With React Native, developers can create rich mobile UI using declarative components, resulting in high-quality apps indistinguishable from those built using native languages.
Features:
- React framework
- Reusable code for cross platform app development
- Hot reloading
- Modular architecture
Supported platforms:
- Android
- iOS
Pros:
- Suitable for complex mobile apps
- Time- and cost-effectiveness
- Flexible
Cons:
- Not suitable for complex UI
- Lacks innovative functionalities
Price:
- Free
4. Flutter
Flutter is an open source app builder for hybrid apps. It is developed by Google and uses C, C++, and the Skia Graphics Engine. With Flutter, developers can create mobile, web, and desktop apps using a single programming language and codebase. It offers a hot reload feature, allowing an instant preview of changes without restarting the app. Flutter provides a wide range of customizable UI components and has strong community support.
Features:
- Software development kit
- Framework based on Dart programming language
- Set of reusable UI components
Supported platforms:
- Android
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
Pros:
- Simplified development process
- Consistent UI design
- Active and supportive community
Cons:
- Limited native functionality
- Larger file sizes compared to native apps
- Complex apps require additional optimization for optimal performance
Price:
- Free plan available.
- Standard: $30/month
- Pro: $70/month
- Teams: $70/per user/month
5. Titanium SDK
Titanium SDK, developed by Appcelerator, is a powerful cross-platform app development tool. It provides a software development kit (SDK) and Alloy framework, which utilizes a robust MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. With Titanium, developers can create native iOS, Android, and Blackberry mobile apps.
The SDK is open-source and offers a wide range of code modules, reducing the amount of written code. It includes an integrated development environment (IDE) called Appcelerator Studio, enabling efficient app development. It also provides access to a vast library of device APIs and cloud services for a seamless mobile app backend.
Features:
- SDK
- Alloy framework
- IDE
- API access
- JavaScript programming language
Supported platforms:
- Android
- iOS
- Blackberry
Pros:
- Consistent UI across various platforms
- Excellent app performance
- Time-efficient
- Free and open source
- Growing community
Cons:
- Platform-specific SDK requires learning and adapting
- Android and iOS apps require additional platform-specific coding
Price:
- Free
6. Appy Pie
Appy Pie is a user-friendly no-code app builder that aims to make technology accessible to everyone at an affordable price. With its drag-and-drop interface, anyone can create an app in just a few minutes without any coding skills.
The platform offers many features, design options, and templates. Regardless of the type of app you need (beauty, small business, restaurant, entertainment, financial), Appy Pie has specific app builders tailored to various purposes. The best part is that you can change your app without resubmitting it.
Features:
- Text and voice commands (inputs) in 30 languages
- Third-party integrations
- AI and machine learning
- Drag and drop interface
Supported platforms:
- Android
- iOS
Pros:
- User-friendly features
- Doesn’t require programming knowledge
- Time- and cost-effective
Cons:
- Not suitable for gaming apps
Price:
- Basic: $16/app/month
- Gold: $36/app/month
- Platinum: $60/app/month
- Enterprise: Contact
7. Android Studio
Android Studio is a comprehensive, integrated development environment (IDE) designed by Google to streamline Android app development. This tool provides a user-friendly interface with various code editing and debugging features. It includes intelligent code completion, code analysis, and refactoring tools, helping developers write clean, error-free code.
Android Studio also offers an extensive emulator and device testing environment, allowing developers to test their apps on different virtual devices. It integrates with the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), providing access to a vast library of APIs, frameworks, and resources, enabling developers to use the full capabilities of the Android platform.
Features:
- Android studio bot
- Themed app icon preview
- Compose design tools
- Intelligent code editor
Supported platforms:
- Android
Pros:
- One of the best tools for Android app development
- Excellent UI
- Large, supportive community
Cons:
- Emulator and hot reloading features require improvements.
Price:
- Free
8. AppMySite
AppMySite allows native app development without any coding knowledge. It simplifies the app development process by providing a user-friendly interface and a range of customization options. With AppMySite, users can convert their existing websites into fully functional mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms.
The platform offers a drag-and-drop editor, allowing users to quickly design and customize the app's layout, colors, fonts, and other visual elements. It integrates with popular content management systems and eCommerce platforms, synchronizing website content with the app, ensuring the app follows the latest website changes.
Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Customizable app layout, colors, and fonts
- Integration with popular CMS and eCommerce platforms
- Real-time preview and testing
- App synchronization with website content
- Push notifications
- User analytics
- App updates and management
Supported platforms:
- Android
- iOS
Pros:
- Quick app development
- Doesn’t require programming knowledge
- Suitable for all types of apps
Price:
- Website to app: $79/month
- WordPress to app: $79/month
- WooCommerce to app: $99/month
- Custom app: $79/month
- Shopify to app: Coming soon
- All in one: $199/month
9. Mobile Roadie
Mobile Roadie is a platform for customized mobile app development that doesn’t require any coding knowledge. It provides app creation and mobile marketing in one powerful solution. The platform offers various features for designing, publishing, and maintaining mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms.
Features:
- Geo-targeted push notifications
- Powerful analytics
- Mobile marketing engagement tools
- Deeply integrated user community features
- Custom interactive mapping
- In-app purchasing
- Geofencing and beacons
- Dozens of SDK integrations
Platform:
- Android
- iOS
Pros:
- Unique features other app builders don’t have
- Easy to use
- Numerous customization options
- Rich media support
- Social media integrations
Cons:
- Limited flexibility
- Limited third-party integrations
Price:
- Design, Build, and All-in-one plan available. Price: contact.
10. Xcode
Xcode is an IDE created by Apple for developing software for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It is the primary tool developers use to build apps for Apple devices. Xcode supports multiple programming languages (primarily Objective-C and Swift). It offers various frameworks and libraries that simplify development and provide access to device-specific features and functionality.
Xcode integrates with other Apple tools and services, such as Interface Builder, Instruments for performance profiling, and the App Store Connect for app submission and distribution. It offers extensive documentation, sample code, and resources to assist developers throughout the app development lifecycle.
Features:
- Code editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete
- Graphical interface builder
- Code debugger
- App testing simulator
Platform:
- iOS
Pros:
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Clear UI and smooth navigation
- App testing without the need for physical devices
- Top choice for Apple app development
Cons:
- Limited to Apple platforms, not suitable for cross-platform development
- Steep learning curve, especially for beginners
- Large file size and system requirements
- Slow on older hardware
- Restricted to macOS operating system for development
Price:
- Xcode is free to download and use, but if you want to join Apple's developer program and publish your apps on the App Store, the yearly fee is $99.
Mobile App Development Software: Final Thoughts
Mobile app development software enables developers to bring their ideas to life and create engaging, user-friendly, innovative, and feature-rich applications for various mobile platforms. These tools provide many features, frameworks, and resources that streamline and facilitate the mobile app development strategy. Carefully evaluate suggested mobile app development tools and choose the one that aligns with your needs and goals to ensure successful and efficient app creation.
To make the mobile app development process run as smoothly as possible, you should also consider hiring one of the best enterprise software development companies.
Mobile App Development FAQs
1. What is the best mobile app development software?
The best mobile app development software choice depends on the project's requirements, developer expertise, platform compatibility, and budget. Some of the top mobile app development tools options include:
- Ionic
- Xamarin
- React Native
- Flutter
- Titanium SDK
- Appy Pie
- Android Studio
- AppMySite
- Mobile Roadie
- Xcode
2. Can I build a mobile app by myself?
Yes, in theory, everyone can build a mobile app, especially today when mobile app development software doesn’t necessarily require programming knowledge. However, building a mobile app involves understanding app design principles, user experience (UX), and the overall app development process. If you’re not a developer, be prepared to invest time and effort to learn and develop your skills to build a mobile app by yourself.
Another option is to hire mobile app development professionals - find out what factors to consider while choosing a mobile app development company.
3. Which programming language is best for mobile app development?
There isn't one "best" programming language for mobile app development. The “best” programming language choice depends on the platform (iOS, Android, or cross-platform), your knowledge, and app requirements. However, here are some commonly used programming languages for mobile app development:
- Swift - for iOS app development
- Java/Kotlin - for Android app development
- JavaScript for cross-platform mobile apps
- C# for native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows
- Dart for cross-platform app development for iOS, Android, and the web
