Key Takeaways:
- With the increasing demand for mobile accessibility to company data, businesses are seeking mobile app development tools to meet customer expectations.
- Before selecting a tool, evaluate your application’s features and requirements thoroughly.
- Explore a variety of mobile app development tools, many of which offer free versions or trials to test before committing.
In 2024, mobile apps are expected to bring in over $935 billion of revenue. A typical smartphone user installs and uses 10 apps a day and 30 apps monthly! And businesses realize that aligning with customer needs offers multiple opportunities.
Looking for App Development Software? Check out SoftwareSuggest’s list of the best App Development Software solutions.
One such opportunity is to address the growing need for mobile access to company data. Many mobile app development tools have entered the market as an outcome. Now, creating apps will no longer be a hurdle for mobile app developers!
But which is the best mobile app development tool for your business? Let’s take a look.
What Is A Mobile App Development Tool?
Mobile development tools are software solutions designed to help create mobile applications. Native mobile apps make it easier to create specialized programs that use every feature of the platform they are intended for, guaranteeing excellent performance.
Before selecting a mobile app development tool, thoroughly analyze your application's requirements and features. Consider factors like platform compatibility, ease of use, and available support. Testing out free versions or trials can help you make an informed decision without committing upfront.
On the other hand, cross-platform mobile app development tools simultaneously create generic apps for several platforms, which lowers costs and speeds up development.
Our selection of these Mobile App Development Tool is based on thorough research and analysis. We have listed these softwares based on usability and satisfaction score that include features, ease of use, customer support, ratings, and number of reviews from SoftwareSuggest. Our goal is to help businesses select the right softwares that can help them optimize their business processes.
The Best Mobile App Development Tools
Businesses need to evaluate the features and requirements of their application in detail before selecting a mobile app development tool. Let’s take a look at some of the best mobile application development tools.
| Software Name | Free Trail Period | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Available | Xamarin is free to use | |
| 14 days | Basic: $499/month | |
| N/A | Connect with the vendor for pricing | |
| 14 days | Accelerate: starting at $399/month | |
| 14 days | Standard: $30/month | |
| 30 days | Connect with the vendor for pricing | |
| 7 days | Gold: ₹9990 /app/year | |
| 14 days | Preferred: starting at $54/month | |
| 10 days | Enterprise: $4,260/year | |
| 14 days | Business:$14.33/per month/billed annually | |
| 14 days | connect with the vendor for pricing | |
| Available | Blaze plan: custom pricing | |
| Available | It is free to use | |
| 14 days | Pro: $99/month/paid monthly | |
| Available | It is free to use | |
| Available | Free to download from the Mac app store | |
| Available | It is free to use | |
| 30 days | Unit Pro: starts from $185/ month/paid monthly | |
| 30 days | Business: starts at $55/user/month/priced annually | |
| 30 days | Multiple apps: Starts at $1,513 (USD)/month/billed annually | |
| 30 days | Professional: €20.00/month/annually |
1. Xamarin
Xamarin is a free and open-source application development platform. It is designed for companies who want to create native applications using the.NET and C# programming languages for iOS, Android, macOS, Microsoft Windows, tvOS, and watchOS.
Managers can simply design user interfaces using its integrated designer and software development kits (SDKs). It offers pre-built pages, controls, layouts, messaging centers, and animation APIs.
Features
- API
- Design management
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- Integrated development environment
- Visual modeling
- Web app development
- Mobile app development
Pricing
- Xamarin is free to use.
- It integrates perfectly with the Microsoft ecosystem.
- The tool offers a single code base to develop software for multiple OS.
- It is flexible, and the GUI interface is smooth.
- The app build-up time is slow.
- It is not beginner-friendly.
2. Ionic
Ionic is a user-friendly rapid mobile app development tool that creates a wide range of applications. With a single codebase, users can create programs for desktop, web, iOS, and Android platforms. Ionic is primarily focused on the web and uses CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to create excellent hybrid mobile apps and progressive web apps.
It also ensures the best iOS and Android app development. Ionic offers The Superapp SDK, which serves huge businesses by making it easier to combine current apps and incorporate new features into a seamless mobile experience.
Features
- API
- Application management
- Authentication
- Custom development
- Deployment management
- Mobile development
- Software development
- Web app development
Pricing
- Free
- Community: $49/month
- Basic: $499/month
- Free trial: 14 days
- It offers excellent customization options.
- The tool can deploy multiple times with a single code.
- It offers ready-made templates.
- The tool has a learning curve for beginners.
- The build system is slow.
3. React Native
React Native is an effective tool for developing JavaScript mobile apps. It allows developers to create apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously. In contrast to the requirement for Java on Android and Swift or Obj-C on iOS separately, React Native uses a single codebase, making a multi-platform app development process possible.
React Native is an open-source mobile app development tool that produces apps that closely resemble native applications, guaranteeing an immersive user experience.
Features
- Accelerate development
- Cross-platform accessibility
- Code reusability
- Hot reloading
- Native performance
- Programming language
- Debugging improvements
- Development time
Pricing
- Please connect with the vendor for pricing.
- It offers a robust library of pre-built components.
- The tool offers reusable code components.
- It uses a single codebase.
- The animation and response time needs improvement.
- Debugging complex issues is challenging.
You May Also Read: 10 Latest Mobile App Development Trends
4. Kobiton
Kobiton is a solution for testing mobile devices that makes it easier to create and deliver optimal mobile experiences. Through cloud-based access to physical devices, real device testing allows users to perform a range of motions, including tapping, swiping, and scrolling, with complete orientation support.
Kobiton is a mobile application development tool that offers a centralized management interface for device lab management and lets users group devices for collaborative testing. It allows for device management from a single console and offers complete support for GPS, networks, SIM cards, and hand gestures. The private Kobiton cloud can be accessed via VPNs or secure connections.
Features
- API
- Activity tracking
- Assessment management
- Issue management
- Real-time analytics
- Reporting & statistics
- Unicode compliance
- User management
Pricing
- Startup: starting at $83/month
- Accelerate: starting at $399/month
- Scale: custom
- Free trial: 14 days
- It is easy to gather screenshots for different screen sizes.
- Users can deploy software for testing in minutes.
- It is easy to upload a personal APK file for testing.
- The physical devices have limitations.
- The UI needs improvement.
5. FlutterFlow
FlutterFlow is a cloud-based app development platform that helps a variety of sectors, including technology, healthcare, banking, and education, develop, manage, test, and release mobile apps.
Using predefined templates, custom widgets, a graphical user interface (GUI) builder, layout components, and Lottie animations, developers can utilize FlutterFlow to create and customize mobile apps. The system offers features like group conversations, push notifications, dark and light mode themes, language translations, and more that let organizations streamline application processes.
Features
- API
- Collaboration tools
- Custom development
- Customizable branding
- Mobile app development
- Forms creation & design
- Version control
- Web app development
- Deployment management
Pricing
- Free
- Standard: $30/month
- Pro:$70/month
- Teams:$70/user/month
- Free trial: 14 days
- It uses low code to build mobile apps.
- The tool offers seamless integration with third-party applications.
- The users can add custom code using the tool.
- It is not possible to set all parameters of the widget from a variable.
- The browser lag is a challenge, and customer service needs improvement.
6. HeadSpin
HeadSpin is a modern AI platform that combines a global device infrastructure, machine learning-powered performance analysis, automated testing, and quality of experience measurements innovatively.
Using real carrier and WiFi networks, the platform enables end-to-end testing and monitoring across multiple devices and locations globally without requiring an SDK. HeadSpin automatically detects and emphasizes problems, locating their basic causes in every system.
Features
- AB testing
- API
- Action-word testing
- Activity tracking
- Benchmarking
- Brand management
- Cross-browser testing
- Issue management
- Load testing
- Parameterized testing
- Performance testing
- Regression testing
- Testing management
Pricing
- Please connect with the vendor for pricing.
- Free trial: 30 days
- It takes minimal time to test across various browsers and platforms.
- The tool has remote access to mobile devices internationally, like China.
- The customer support team is responsive.
- The setup is complicated, and the dashboard loads slowly.
- There are frequent software updates without notification.
7. Appypie
Appypie is an easy-to-use application that makes it simple to create mobile apps without coding knowledge. It makes integrating social network elements more convenient and intuitive. This mobile app tool provides app analytics to improve the user experience.
Users can build their mobile app online by just dropping and dragging app pages. After it is finished, clients receive a hybrid software built with HTML5 that works with Windows Phone, Android, iPhone, iPad, and Blackberry.
Features
- AI/machine learning
- API
- App management
- Canned responses
- Change management
- Code-free development
- Compliance management
- Content management
- Contextual guidance
- Deployment management
- Design management
- Intent recognition
- Machine learning
- Mobile development
- Natural language processing
- Web app development
Pricing
- Basic: ₹6990 /app/year
- Gold: ₹9990 /app/year
- Platinum: ₹15990 /app/year
- Free trial: 7 days
- It is easy to create separate versions of personal website designs.
- The drag & drop feature is very responsive.
- There is almost no need for CSS or HTML codes.
- The interface is a little complicated at times.
- At times, there are issues with software security and source code.
8. BugSnag
BugSnag is a developer-centered observability solution for cloud-native applications that provides insightful data on user experience and app performance. It offers OTel-compliant real-user monitoring that enables you to compare findings between releases with the essential context for practical understanding, setting priorities, and resolving issues.
BugSnag helps developers work more efficiently by reducing distractions and concentrating on their designated regions of the codebase. The monitoring tool supports a variety of online application platforms, including Java, PHP, Node.js, and Rails.
Features
- Diagnostic tools
- Issue tracking
- Monitoring
- Prioritization
- Real-time analytics
- Real-time data
- Reporting & statistics
- Resource management
- Root cause analysis
- Server monitoring
- Trend analysis
Pricing
- Free
- Select: starting at $18/month
- Preferred: starting at $54/month
- Enterprise: custom pricing
- Free trial: 14 days
- The tool aggregates all errors and provides status on them.
- It offers libraries and multiple seamless integrations.
- The tool generates reports very easily.
- Setting up a custom error is challenging.
- The stack trace doesn’t always give a full trace of the bugs.
You May Also Read: 14 Best Free and Open Source Mobile App Development Software
9. Qt
Qt is application development software that helps companies with a variety of tasks inside a single platform, like developing user interfaces, prototyping designs, and modifying codes. It makes it easier for employees to write code in other programming languages, like Python, JavaScript, C++, and QML.
Developers can create C++ widget-based apps using Qt by using visual editors. The platform integrates with many third-party software, including Git, Subversion, Perforce, and Mercurial, to provide code version management tools.
Features
- Custom development
- Data visualization
- Graphical User Interface
- Mobile development
- Reporting/analytics
- Source control
- Version control
Pricing
Qt for Application Development
- Professional: $3,950/year
- Enterprise: $4,260/year
Qt for Device Creation
- Custom pricing
- Free trial: 10 days
- The platform provides excellent customer support.
- The tool offers cross-perform development.
- It has a flexible and simple user interface design.
- It has limited assistance for mobile application development.
- There are technical glitches and bugs at times.
10. Jamf
Jamf Pro is an all-inclusive enterprise mobility management solution that meets the demands of IT specialists for the deployment, inventory control, and security of Apple devices. It provides adaptable deployment choices that can be accessed on-site or in the cloud, satisfying a range of tastes.
Jamf Pro easily interfaces with a range of asset management programs, network access controllers, and other IT services, making features like bulk app licensing and zero-touch deployment possible. By streamlining processes, Jamf Pro makes it easier to set up calendars, email, and Wi-Fi, which increases efficiency.
Features
- API
- Access management
- Application management
- Asset tracking
- Audit management
- Compliance management
- Compliance tracking
- Data management
- Inventory management
- Maintenance management
- Patch management
- Software management
- Vulnerability scanning
- Workflow management
Pricing
Business Plans
- Now: $4/per device/ per month
- Business:$14.33/per month/billed annually
- Enterprise: custom pricing
School Plans
- Jamf Education Enhanced:$9 per device
- Jamf Education Ultimate: $20 per device
- Free trial: 14 days
- The tool is easy to use and has an intuitive UI.
- It has robust mobile device management capabilities.
- The tool offers a centralized platform for managing Apple devices.
- It has a learning curve associated with the advanced features.
- The patch management feature needs improvement.
11. Testim
Testim is a mobile app development tool that provides a quick fix for quickly creating reliable user interface tests customized for specific web applications. By enabling users to design, edit, collaborate on, and start test runs inside their preferred workflow—including starting tests during continuous integration builds—integration with current tools accelerates the testing process.
Testim offers agile teams the tools they need to effectively manage team and test growth, enabling them to scale. Prominent customers, including Microsoft, Salesforce, and TreviPay, use Testim to conduct millions of tests per month.
Features
- API
- Activity tracking
- Assessment management
- Automated scheduling
- Bug tracking
- Parameterized testing
- Unicode compliance
- User management
- Workflow management
Pricing
- Please connect with the vendor for pricing.
- Free trial: 14 days
- The app allows to testing of new features with full regression test coverage.
- It is easy to use and record tests with minimal technical knowledge.
- The tool makes it easy to compare baseline screenshots.
- The UX for navigating the platform is confusing.
- The mobile responsive testing is supported only on simulated devices.
12. Firebase
Built on top of Google’s cloud architecture, Firebase gives companies the ability to develop online and mobile apps with messaging, analytics, and cloud storage features. Multiple functions are available, like offline efficiency, alarms, remote setup, crash reporting, user authentication, and predictive analysis.
Project administrators can schedule message publication, establish frequency limitations on message views, and create customized messages using predefined segments based on recipient demographics and behavior using cloud messaging.
Features
- AB testing
- API
- Conversion tracking
- Customer segmentation
- Engagement tracking
- Reporting/analytics
- Web notifications
Pricing
- Spark plan: free
- Blaze plan: custom pricing
- Free trial available
- It is easy to build a multiple range of applications.
- The tool makes it simple to watch app performance.
- It offers easy integration and offers great documentation.
- The tool lacks certain features.
- The querying is an issue when data scales.
13. NativeScript
NativeScript, an open-source framework, uses well-known web technologies like CSS and JavaScript to make native applications for iOS and Android. It makes it easy to design and launch mobile apps from a single codebase by utilizing pre-existing libraries. For developers looking for quality and productivity in their mobile development endeavors, the platform’s extensive real-world app implementations make it an appealing option. NativeScript interfaces smoothly with well-known CI/CD platforms like Jenkins, Travis CI, Circle CI, and SauceLabs.
Features
- HTML
- Code sharing
- Vue3 support
- Angular integration
- JavaScript
- Series
- ActionBar
- CI tooling
- OSS repository management
- CSS language
- Validators
Pricing
- It is free to use.
- It offers 100 days of zero native API access.
- The tool has an extensive repository of plugins.
- It is easy to integrate with existing angular projects.
- There are numerous bugs in the Android build.
- It offers poor plugin support.
14. Appery.io
Appery.io helps developers and business users easily create complex mobile, web, and progressive web applications. Through APIs, Appery.io provides a cloud-based backend system that easily interfaces with other apps and technological systems.
Users can generate code in HTML5, jQuery Mobile, AngularJS, Bootstrap, and Apache Cordova using the Appery.io build server. The Appery.io code generator additionally makes it easier to construct HTML5 apps, Android apps, iOS apps, and Windows Phone apps.
Features
- Application deployment
- Data migration
- Programming code extending
- UI code extending
- Platform compatibility
- Lifecycle management
- Workflow management
- Customized branding
- File management
Pricing
- Beginners: $25/month/paid monthly
- Pro: $99/month/paid monthly
- Team: $200/month/paid monthly
- Enterprise: custom pricing
- Free trial: 14 days
- Programming knowledge is not necessary to use this tool.
- It is easy and quick to develop robust mobile and web applications.
- The tool has ready-made templates and enables cross-platform developments.
- The navigation interface is a little complicated.
- The customer support team is not up to the mark.
You May Also Read: 12 Best Mobile Testing Tools & Apps
15. Onsen UI
Onsen UI is an open-source development tool that offers a whole suite of UI frameworks designed specifically for creating HTML5 hybrid mobile applications with PhoneGap. It is easy to learn and has powerful capabilities, which makes developing mobile apps effortless.
Its versatility is evident in the responsive and user-friendly mobile app development it does. Using a grid approach it makes it simple to arrange elements and fully supports HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Features
- CSS splitting
- Mobile app development
- Rotation detection
- Web app development
- Pre-built components
- Framework bindings
- Platform detection
- Fastclick
- Grid layout
Pricing
- It is free to use.
- The tool has good performance in iOS and makes it easy to develop apps.
- It is easy to use existing AngularJS, JQuery, Plain JS, etc. to create apps.
- The tool is easy to use and implement.
- The customer support team takes a long time to address bugs.
- The feature set of Onsen UI is limited.
16. Xcode 12
Xcode 12 is an app development tool that allows users to create applications, manage teamwork by integrating with GitHub, GitLab, and BitBucket, and perform business tasks like creating, evaluating, merging, and commenting on pull requests.
Employees can use the platform’s integrated code completion, editing, compilation, linking, and debugging capabilities. Employees can also access the editor for creating and analysing source code comparisons of multiple versions by using the quick compare tool.
Features
- Code development
- Code editing
- Debugging
- Deployment management
- Graphical user interface
- Web app development
- Mobile app development
Pricing
- Free to download from the Mac app store.
- The tool has customizable font size for the navigator.
- The auto-suggestion tool tip feature is excellent.
- The tool functions very well on code completion.
- It does not support tabbed work environments.
- The tool slows down when viewing complex storyboards.
17. Angular
With a uniform interface, Angular is an open-source software framework for application development that helps companies create modern web apps for desktop and mobile devices. Users can explore applications with a component router, use HTML or CSS for rendering, and produce code using predefined templates.
It comes with Angular DevTools, a Google Chrome extension that lets programmers profile and debug apps. Administrators can also create standalone schematics or alter already-existing files for use in various Angular projects.
Features
- API
- Change management
- Compatibility testing
- Debugging
- Deployment management
- Mobile development
- Pre-built templates
- Software development
- Web app development
Pricing
- It is free to use.
- The framework is easy to use and maintain.
- The translation and text extraction works great.
- It is lightweight and has the best security implementation.
- The tool has a steeper learning curve than other frameworks.
- There are technical glitches with the tool at times.
18. Unity
Unity is a game development software package designed to help businesses create and implement apps in multiple platforms in 2D, 3D, and virtual reality (VR) formats. With its visual scripting add-on, players may arrange game operations inside a single interface.
Teams can use the platform to create augmented reality games that respond to the user’s surroundings and sensor inputs, as well as customize startup screens. Building information modeling (BIM) data administration is made easier using Unity, which also promotes stakeholder collaboration during collaborative design reviews.
Features
- 2D drawing
- 3D visualization
- API
- Animation
- Content library
- Design management
- No-Code
- Physics simulation
- Player management
- Prototype creation
- Virtual reality
Pricing
- Unity Personal: free
- Unity Student: free
- Unit Pro: starts from $185/ month/paid monthly
- Unity Industry: starts from $430/month/paid monthly
- Unity Enterprise: custom pricing
- Free trial: 30 days
- The UI is easy to use and is RAM-friendly.
- The tool offers free learning resources.
- It offers multiple add-ons and tool kits.
- It has issues when uninstalling older versions.
- The storage space is limited.
19. Quickbase
Quickbase helps users visualize, connect, and oversee complex initiatives that influence society. By combining data from current systems, this no-code program enables business people to customize solutions to their operating procedures, whether they are erecting a tall building or planning vaccination deployments.
As carrying out big projects is never easy, the tool is dedicated to helping users manage even the most difficult applications.
Features
- Application management
- Audit management
- Automated scheduling
- Bid management
- Budget management
- Calendar management
- Change order management
- Commercial property management
- Compliance tracking
- Data synchronization
- Data visualization
- Depreciation management
- Design management
Pricing
- Team: starts at $35/user/month/priced annually
- Business: starts at $55/user/month/priced annually
- Enterprise: custom pricing
- Free trial: 30 days
- The tool offers seamless integration with third-party integrations.
- The platform makes it easy to visualize and share data with controls.
- It is an excellent data repository that helps display large data sets.
- It is not as initiative as compared to other mobile app tools.
- The customer service response time is poor.
20. OutSystems
OutSystems is a low-code platform with exceptional efficiency that facilitates the development of robust applications through continuous innovation, resulting in extraordinary productivity.
Its visual development tools and AI-powered automation help customers tackle important issues, including workplace innovation, application modernization, business process automation, and customer experience transformation.
OutSystems places a high priority on security, resilience, cloud readiness, and scalability. It offers complete features for quickly creating, deploying, maintaining, and editing enterprise mobile and online applications.
Features
- Activity tracking
- Application management
- Audit trail
- Business process automation
- Change management
- Collaborative development
- Compatibility testing
- Data modeling
- Deployment management
- Performance monitoring
- Task management
- Template management
- Web app development
- Mobile app development
- Workflow management
Pricing
- Single app: free
- Multiple apps: Starts at $1,513 (USD)/month/billed annually
- Large app portfolio: custom pricing
- Free trial: 30 days
- It is easy to build applications, and the speed of deployment is excellent.
- The tool allows fast prototyping while keeping a polished appearance.
- It is easy to implement and collaborate with agile solutions.
- The level of training is weak.
- The tool needs improvement in developer experience.
21. Ninox
Ninox provides a cloud-based platform designed for creating customized database apps that work with web browsers and Mac, iPhone, and iPad. With the use of pre-designed templates, unique actions, scripting, and simple drag-and-drop formulas to connect several databases, users can develop personalized apps with ease.
Accessing and editing apps from different platforms is made easy with real-time synchronization across devices. Ninox also offers data export choices in Excel and CSV formats and facilitates the import of Bento files, CSV files, and contacts.
Features
- Calendar management
- Collaborative development
- Data dictionary management
- Data storage management
- Deployment management
- Document management
- Financial management
- Incident management
- Industrial safety management
- Inspection management
- Integrations management
- No-code
- OSHA recordkeeping
- Occupational health management
- Relational database management
- Risk management
- Rules-based workflow
- SSL security
Pricing
- Starter: €10.00/month/annually
- Professional: €20.00/month/annually
- Enterprise: custom pricing
- Free trial: 30 days
- The feature set and UI is excellent.
- The technical support is knowledgeable and responsive.
- It is easy to build powerful applications for daily use.
- It does not allow to open multiple databases.
- The tool has a learning curve for beginners.
Conclusion
Developing an application for your company can greatly improve the perception customers have of your brand. You can explore any of these 21 mobile app development tools. A lot of them offer a free version and trial. Ensure to combine the right mobile app development platform with the necessary expertise to create outstanding mobile apps.
Some popular cross-platform mobile app development tools include React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and Ionic, which allow developers to build apps that work seamlessly across multiple platforms.
Mobile app development tools typically incorporate security features like encryption, authentication, and secure coding practices to safeguard data and protect against vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
No, coding skills are not always necessary to use mobile app development tools. Many tools offer drag-and-drop interfaces or require minimal coding knowledge, making them accessible to non-developers.
Yes, there are free mobile app development tools available. Many options offer free versions and trials, allowing users to explore them without making any financial commitments upfront.
Priya is a seasoned writer with expertise in the SaaS industry. With over five years of experience in the field, she deeply understands the requirement of this specific industry, its techniques, and tools. Her articles, whitepapers, and blog posts are known for their clarity, practicality, and actionable insights. Priya also possesses in-depth knowledge of SEO and content marketing, which enables her to develop effective strategies to increase website traffic and improve brand visibility.
