Top Mobile App Development Programming Languages

In this article, we’ll look into the best programming language for app development. We’ll discuss which are the top programming languages and toolsets available to us. We’ll also review the pros and cons of each, so that you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you and your mobile app development needs.

Types of Mobile Apps
What Are the Best Languages for App Development? (Native)
- Objective-C
- Swift
- Java
- Kotlin
Native Runtimes
- Apache Cordova
- Capacitor
Frameworks
Platforms and Tools for Mobile App Development
Conclusion

Mobile app development is a process by which a mobile app is created for devices, including smartphones, tablets, and more. It involves the conception, planning, design, development, and testing of the app. And in the current decade, with an ever increasing number of mobile phone users and the introduction of new and innovative technologies, it’s an industry that keeps growing.

As a result, there’s a high demand for mobile app developers who can build high-quality and user-friendly apps. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the proliferation of mobile apps will lead to a greater need for qualified developers, with demand projected to grow by 21% between 2018 and 2028.

Key Takeaways

App Development Types and Decision Making: The article explores the differences between native, hybrid, and web apps, detailing their respective advantages and challenges. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right development approach based on the app’s intended functionality, target audience, and development resources.
Language and Framework Selection: It provides an overview of the best programming languages and frameworks for app development, including Objective-C, Swift for iOS apps, Java, Kotlin for Android apps, and cross-platform solutions like React Native, Flutter, Ionic, and Quasar. The selection is aimed at helping developers choose the most suitable technologies for their projects.
Strategic Considerations for App Developers: The conclusion stresses that there is no universal best programming language for app development. It suggests that developers should base their choice on specific project needs, whether that means focusing on a single platform with native development or targeting multiple platforms through cross-platform frameworks, weighing the trade-offs between development efficiency and access to platform-specific features.

Types of Mobile Apps

There are essentially two types of mobile apps: native apps, and hybrid apps.

Graphic: Hybrid vs Native Apps

Hybrid vs Native Apps by Merroa

Native Apps

A native app is an app that’s developed specifically for one type of mobile operating system, such as iOS or Android. Native apps are written in the language that’s native to the operating system, such as Objective-C or Swift for iOS apps, and Java or Kotlin for Android apps.

Native apps have several advantages:

They can take full advantage of the features of the mobile device, such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications.
They can be designed specifically for the user interface of the mobile operating system, which results in a better user experience.
They can be downloaded from app stores, such as the App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices.

However, native apps also have some disadvantages:

They can be more expensive to develop than other types of apps, because they require two separate development teams — one for each type of operating system.
They can take longer to develop, because each operating system has its own set of rules and guidelines.
They can be more difficult to update, because each operating system has its own update process.

Hybrid Apps

A hybrid app is an app that’s developed using a combination of web technologies — such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — and native technologies — such as Objective-C or Java. Hybrid apps are usually developed using a framework, such as Cordova, Ionic, or React Native (more on these later).

Hybrid apps have several advantages:

They’re usually easier and faster to develop. They’re built on web technologies, for which there are more developers available, which can save money and time to market.
They can be designed to work on multiple types of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
They can take advantage of the latest features native to each platform.
They can be downloaded from app stores, such as the App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices.

However, hybrid apps also have some disadvantages:

They can be less reliable than native apps, because they rely on multiple technologies.
They can be less responsive than native apps, because, at the very least, they must communicate with the browser interface and the JavaScript engine before talking to the operating system.
They can be more difficult to update, because they must be compatible with multiple types of operating systems.

Finally, they can be less attractive than native apps, because they usually don’t have access to native hardware, such as the camera and GPS.

Web Apps

A web app is an app that’s developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Web apps are usually developed using a framework such as Angular, React, or Vue.

Web apps can be even less responsive than hybrid apps, because of the server/client nature of HTTP-based interaction: every request needs to be sent to a server and the client (the browser) needs to wait for a response. And this is even more so when using server-side technologies such PHP, Python, Ruby, or ASP: for every request, a script needs to be run on the server before the response is ready for the client.

Notice that, if you want to develop a hybrid app, you’ll necessarily have to build a web app first. So solid knowledge of web development will be required. (If you need a refresher on JavaScript, check out Learn to Code with JavaScript: The Most Popular Programming Language on Earth on SitePoint.)

We’ll have a companion article in this series focusing on web app development, so for the rest of this article we’ll focus exclusively on native and hybrid apps.

How to Choose Which Type of Application to Develop

Okay, so let’s summarize all of the above for easier digestion:

	Native App	Hybrid App	Web App
Pros	can take full advantage of the features of the mobile device can be designed specifically for the user interface of the mobile operating system can be downloaded from app stores	can be developed using web technologies can be designed to work on multiple types of mobile devices can be downloaded from app stores	can be developed using web technologies can be designed to work on multiple types of mobile devices can be updated without going through an app store
Cons	more expensive to develop can take longer to develop more difficult to update	can be less reliable than native apps can be less responsive than native apps can be more difficult to update can be less attractive than native apps	can be less reliable than native apps can be less responsive than native apps can be less attractive than native apps can be less reactive because of server/client interactions

What Are the Best Languages for App Development? (Native)

You should consider whether you plan to develop for iOS, Android, or both.

However, if you want to develop for both platforms, you need to decide whether you want to create an app that has a similar user experience on both platforms — in which case, a better bet might be developing a cross-platform app — or if you want to create an app that has a unique user experience on each platform.

iOS Apps

Objective-C

Objective-C is a powerful and versatile language that’s been used to develop many popular apps — such as Uber, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Objective-C is a superset of the C programming language, which means that it includes all of the features of C, plus some additional ones — such as dynamic typing, method overloading, data encapsulation, and automatic memory management.

Objective-C is easy to learn for developers who are already familiar with C or C++, because it’s built on top of the C language. However, it can be more difficult for those who are new to programming, because it’s a more complex language.

As a fairly old language, Objective-C has plenty of tutorials and information available. But at this point, it’s not as widely used as Swift, so at the same time there’s a smaller community of developers to learn from.

Resources:

Wikipedia entry
Objective-C for Swift Developers by Medi Assumani
Programming with Objective-C from Apple Developer
Using C and C++ in an iOS App with Objective-C++ by Rico Zuñiga on SitePoint

Swift

Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Swift is easy to use and open source, so anyone with an idea can create something incredible.

Swift was designed to be easy for beginners to pick up, while still being powerful enough for experienced developers.

Some highlights of the Swift language include:

It was created by Apple and introduced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2014
It’s a compiled language, so it’s fast and efficient.
It’s type-safe, so it helps to prevent errors and increase code quality.
It has memory management built into the language, so you don’t have to worry about memory leaks.
It’s also interactive, so you can write code and see the results immediately.

In short, Swift is safe, fast, and interactive. And it’s easy to learn, even if you’re new to programming. So if you want to develop an iOS apps, Swift is probably your language of choice.

Resources:

A Swift Tour, from the The Swift Programming Language
Getting Started, from Swift.org
Swift Resources, from Apple Developer

Additionally on SitePoint:

Android Apps

Java

Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that can be used for developing Android apps — such as Spotify, Netflix, and Google Earth. Java can also be used for developing desktop, web, and enterprise applications. It’s one of the most in-demand programming languages.

Java and C are very similar, in that they’re both structured, imperative languages that use a compiler. And just like Objective-C , Java is object-oriented, so it makes it easy to write code that’s modular and reusable. Because of this, Java should be relatively easy to learn for developers who are already familiar with C or C++. However, it can be more difficult to learn for developers who aren’t familiar with these languages.

However, notice that Java is a pure object-oriented programming language, while C is a hybrid language that supports both procedural and object-oriented programming. Java uses a virtual machine to execute code, while C code is compiled directly to machine code. Java code is portable across platforms, while C code isn’t. Finally, Java supports automatic memory management, while C doesn’t.

Java is a compiled language, so it’s fast and efficient. And because it’s type-safe, it helps to prevent errors and increase code quality. Java also has a garbage collector, so you don’t have to worry about memory leaks. Additionally, Java is a popular language, so there’s a large community of developers to learn from with plenty of documentation and support available.

Resources:

Java articles from SitePoint
Guided Video Tours from NetBeans
Use Java 8 language features and APIs from Android Developer

Kotlin

Kotlin is a new language that was designed specifically for developing Android apps. It runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), and it’s fully compatible with Java, so you can use all the existing Java libraries when developing Kotlin apps.

Kotlin is a statically typed language, so you can catch errors at compile time, instead of at runtime. Kotlin also supports both functional and object-oriented programming paradigms.

Some highlights of the Kotlin language include:

It’s a concise language, so you can write less code and achieve the same results.
It’s safe, because it eliminates the null pointer exception.
It’s interoperable with Java, so you can use Kotlin code in Java projects, and vice versa.
It has a strong tooling support in Android Studio.
It’s developed by JetBrains, the company behind IntelliJ IDEA.
Android mobile development has been Kotlin-first since Google I/O 2019.

In short, Kotlin is a probably your go-to option if you want to go all-in on Android apps.

Resources:

Kotlin for Android, from Kotlin Programming Language
Develop Android apps with Kotlin, from Android Developer
Kotlin Koans, from Kotlin Programming Language

Additionally on SitePoint:

Kotlin articles and tutorials
Programming Kotlin Applications (book)

What Are the Best Tools for Cross-platform App Development?

Cross-platform applications

Cross-platform applications, by Tsahi Levent-Levi

As we’ve already noted, developing native apps can take a lot of time, money, and effort. It can be much easier to develop a cross-platform app with a tool that can generate apps for multiple platforms. And while you’ll still need to build the app for iOS or Android with the framework or runtime you use, you won’t need to write code for every target.

Alternatively, if you want to create an app that has a similar user experience on both platforms, you can develop a cross-platform language app, which allows you to use the same codebase for both platforms. But remember that, if you want to create an app that has a unique user experience on each platform, you’ll probably need to develop the app in each platform’s native language.

Native Runtimes

Native runtimes are tools that allow you to develop apps that run on multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows. The advantage of using native runtimes is that you can reuse your existing code, so you don’t have to rewrite your app for each platform.

However, these can also be tricky to set up and fully understand; but once you get the hang of it—and there’s plenty of good documentation available to that end—you should get your pipeline set.

Apache Cordova

Cordova (formerly PhoneGap) is an open-source native runtime that allows you to develop apps for multiple platforms using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides a wide range of plugins that allow you to access native device features, such as the camera and GPS.

Cordova is a popular choice, because it’s been available for a long time and it has many users. However, it has been aging a bit lately when compared to Capacitor.

Resources:

Cordova Overview
Cordova Command-line-interface (CLI) Reference
Cordova on SitePoint (articles and tutorials)

Capacitor

Capacitor is a somewhat newer option, being a cross-platform app development toolkit created by Ionic. It also allows you to develop apps for iOS, Android, and the Web, using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It also provides access to native device features, such as the camera and GPS.

Compared to Cordova, Capacitor ships better tooling, it’s more actively maintained, and it has enterprise support (see Capacitor vs Cordova: Hybrid Mobile App Development.

Very well documented, with a thriving community, Capacitor is growing more popular by the day.

Resources:

Frameworks

There are many frameworks that can be used to develop cross-platform apps. Here are some of the best.

React Native

React Native is a powerful UI framework that’s been used to develop many popular apps, such as Facebook Ads, Walmart, and Bloomberg. Just like React, it was created by Meta (Facebook).

Essentially, React Native is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces that compiles to native code, so you can use all the existing native libraries when developing React Native apps.

React Native is a great choice for developing cross-platform apps, because it’s easy to learn for developers who are already familiar with JavaScript. In addition, React Native is quite popular, so there’s a large community of developers to learn from.

Resources:

React Native Express
Learn the Basics from ReactNative.dev

Additionally on SitePoint:

Flutter

Flutter is a new language that was designed specifically for developing cross-platform apps, including mobile, web, desktop, and embedded devices. It runs on the Dart VM, and it’s fully compatible with Dart. Like Dart, Flutter was created by Google.

Flutter has many libraries to speed up development flow, so you can develop apps quickly. In addition, Flutter is reactive, so you can create responsive user interfaces. Flutter is also open source, so you can use it for free.

However, it can be more difficult to learn for developers who aren’t familiar with Dart.

Some big names using Flutter include BMW, Alibaba, and Google Pay, among many others.

Resources:

Getting Started, from the Flutter Docs
Flutter Ecosystem
Flutter on Mobile
Beginning Flutter book on SitePoint

Ionic Framework

The Ionic Framwork is a popular choice for developing cross-platform apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

It was originally based on the Angular framework, although it now also supports React and Vue. It also originally used Cordova to access native device features, although now it also has support for Capacitor, which Ionic itself developed.

Ionic is a great choice for developing cross-platform apps, because it’s easy to learn and use. In addition, Ionic apps are fast and responsive. And because Ionic uses Cordova and Capacitor, you can access native device features, such as the camera and GPS.

With enterprise-grade cloud support, some apps developed with Ionic include Sanvello, T-Mobile, Disney, and many more.

Resources:

The Ionic Ecosystem
The Ionic Framework
Getting Started, from the Ionic Docs
How to Build a News App with Ionic 4 & Angular, by Ahmed Bouchefra on SitePoint

Quasar

Quasar is a cross-platform app development framework also using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It’s built on top of Vue.js, and it uses the latest technologies, such as Vue 3, Vite to make development blazing fast, and both Cordova and Capacitor for native app support.

Quasar has best-in-class support for creating single-page applications, server-side rendering (SSR), progressive web applications, mobile apps, desktop apps, and even browser extensions.

What we want to achieve with Quasar is to raise the bar for web development as a whole. Make it go forward, evolve. Change minds. Point out when there’s a better alternative. — Why Quasar

Quasar is a great choice for developing cross-platform apps, because it’s easy to learn, fast and efficient, it offers many features and great performance, and the documentation is really good. So far, though, its adoption is still limited compared with the other frameworks.

Some resources you will find useful include:

Getting Started
Video Tutorials
Introduction to Vue.js and the Quasar Framework by Tonino Jankov on SitePoint

Summary

Name	License	Language	Platforms
React Native	MIT	JavaScript	iOS, Android, web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Flutter	BSD	Dart	iOS, Android, web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Ionic	MIT	HTML, CSS, JavaScript	iOS, Android, web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Quasar	MIT	HTML, CSS, JavaScript	iOS, Android, web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Electron, browser extension

Platforms and Tools for Mobile App Development

There are a number of different platforms and tools available for mobile app development that can be used to create high-quality applications.

Some of the most popular include:

Android Studio: the official Integrated Development Environment (IDE for developing Android apps. It’s based on the IntelliJ IDEA platform and provides a robust set of features for code editing, debugging, and performance profiling. Android Studio is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Xcode: the IDE for developing iOS and macOS applications. It includes a full suite of features for code editing, debugging, and performance tuning. Xcode is only available for macOS.
Visual Studio: a powerful IDE for developing Windows and web applications. It includes a wide range of features for code editing, debugging, and performance profiling. Visual Studio is available for Windows and macOS. Its standalone companion, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is also available for Linux.
Unity: a popular game engine for developing 3D games and a tool for developing mobile apps. It includes a full suite of tools for code editing, debugging, and performance tuning. Unity is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Eclipse: a popular, open-source IDE for developing Java applications. It includes a wide range of features for code editing, debugging, and performance tuning. Eclipse is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Titanium SDK and Appcelerator: these were designed as open-source frameworks for developing cross-platform for a variety of platforms — including mobile — using web technologies. However, the Appcelerator offering has been discontinued and the Titanium code has been made public and open source.

Conclusion

Not surprisingly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the best programming language for app development, just as there’s no overall best programming language to learn. Depending on the specific requirements and functionalities your app needs to offer, different languages can provide unique advantages.

But in a nutshell, you can either:

go full iOS with Objective-C and Swift if you only plan to target iPhone and iPad
go full Android with Java and Kotlin
address both platforms with Flutter
use web technologies to develop a hybrid app that will address all platforms from a single codebase (while losing a bit of control over some native specific features)

Doing cross-platform development will save you time and money, but you need to accept that you’ll always be a few steps behind when it comes to taking advantage of the latest and greatest platform features.

No matter which language you choose, at the end of the day the most important thing is that you have a clear understanding of your goals and objectives, and that you select the right toolset for your project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Programming Language for App Development

What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for app development?

The choice of programming language for app development depends on several factors. Firstly, the platform for which the app is being developed is crucial. For instance, Swift and Objective-C are primarily used for iOS development, while Java and Kotlin are popular for Android apps. Secondly, the complexity of the app also influences the choice of language. Languages like Python and Ruby are great for developing complex applications due to their robust frameworks. Lastly, the developer’s proficiency in a language can also influence the choice. It’s always easier and more efficient to code in a language you’re comfortable with.

How important is the community support for a programming language in app development?

Community support is crucial for any programming language. A strong community means that developers can easily find solutions to problems, learn from others’ experiences, and get help when stuck. It also ensures that the language will continue to be updated and improved. Languages like JavaScript and Python have large, active communities, making them a good choice for app development.

Can I use the same programming language for developing apps on different platforms?

While some languages are platform-specific, there are several cross-platform languages that allow you to develop apps for multiple platforms. For instance, JavaScript with frameworks like React Native or Ionic can be used to develop apps for both Android and iOS. Similarly, C# with Xamarin can also be used for cross-platform app development.

How does the performance of a programming language affect app development?

The performance of a programming language can significantly impact the user experience of an app. Languages that are slow or have high memory usage can result in sluggish apps, which can frustrate users. Therefore, it’s important to choose a language that is efficient and has good performance. Languages like C++ and Java are known for their speed and efficiency.

What role does the scalability of a programming language play in app development?

Scalability is a crucial factor in app development. As your app grows in popularity, it needs to handle more users and data. A scalable language allows for this growth without significant changes to the codebase. Languages like Python and Java are known for their scalability, making them a good choice for large, growing apps.

How does the learning curve of a programming language affect app development?

The learning curve of a programming language can impact the speed and efficiency of app development. Languages that are easy to learn and use can speed up the development process and reduce the likelihood of errors. On the other hand, languages that are difficult to learn can slow down development and increase the risk of bugs. Therefore, it’s important to choose a language that matches your skill level and comfort.

Can I use a programming language that is not typically used for app development?

While it’s possible to use a non-traditional language for app development, it’s generally not recommended. These languages may lack the necessary libraries, frameworks, and community support needed for efficient app development. However, if you’re highly proficient in a non-traditional language and it has the necessary features for your app, it can be a viable option.

How does the maturity of a programming language affect app development?

The maturity of a programming language can impact its stability, reliability, and community support. Mature languages are generally more stable and have fewer bugs, making them a safer choice for app development. They also tend to have larger communities, which can provide valuable resources and support. However, newer languages can offer innovative features and may be more suited to certain types of apps.

What is the role of libraries and frameworks in app development?

Libraries and frameworks play a crucial role in app development. They provide pre-written code that can be used to perform common tasks, saving developers time and effort. They also provide structure to the code, making it easier to maintain and debug. Therefore, when choosing a programming language, it’s important to consider the availability and quality of its libraries and frameworks.

How does the cost of development tools for a programming language affect app development?

The cost of development tools can be a significant factor in app development. Some languages require expensive IDEs or other tools, which can increase the cost of development. However, many languages have free or low-cost tools available, making them more accessible for developers. Therefore, it’s important to consider the cost of tools when choosing a programming language.