Key Takeaways:
- Mobile app development software allows you to create software for smartphones and other mobile devices.
- Open-source mobile app development software offers benefits such as lower hardware and development costs, unlimited support, high-quality software, and regular updates.
- Popular free and open-source mobile app development software includes AppMySite, Apache Cordova, Appy Pie, Flutter, Ionic, Xamarin, and more.
With people spending 90% of their mobile time using apps, they have evolved from a luxury into an essential business tool. Mobile apps provide companies with a direct channel to engage customers, cultivate brand loyalty, and drive revenue, yielding conversion rates three times higher than mobile websites.
However, building Android and iOS apps is not only time-consuming but also expensive. This is where open-source mobile app development software comes in. These tools empower creators to build or modify apps according to their specific needs without financial constraints.
In this article, we will examine free mobile application development software, its benefits, and the best free app development software.
When exploring free and open-source mobile app development software, carefully prioritize your project's requirements and evaluate if it has an active community, as it ensures access to helpful resources and expertise. Additionally, consider the software's cross-platform compatibility to ensure your app can reach a wider audience.
What Are Free Mobile App Development Software?
Free and open-source mobile app development software provides developers with a comprehensive set of tools and frameworks to build apps without the financial burden of proprietary solutions.
These free app development software often come with robust features comparable to their paid counterparts, such as integrated development environments (IDEs), code editors, debugging tools, and testing frameworks. Additionally, many open-source projects foster active communities that contribute to continuous improvement and offer comprehensive documentation and support resources.
Our selection of these Free Mobile App Development Software 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.
14 Best Free Mobile App Development Software
Whether you’re looking for Android app development tools, iOS app development software, or a platform that supports all, this list includes the best app development software. Let’s get started.
| Application Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Categorize products smartly, Sync your website & app menu | |
| Operates on multiple operating systems, Native APIs | |
| Unlimited app editing, Push notifications | |
| Native performance, Tooling, language, and extensions | |
| Cordova plugin, Command Line Interface | |
| Close development deadlines, Shared codes | |
| Single sign-on, In-app purchases | |
| Auto-adapting UI, Database and user authentication | |
| Hyperloop, Immediate support for new OS releases | |
| Monetization, Embed web | |
| Embed existing web pages, Native features | |
| Version control, Project & build management | |
| Cross-platform, native-like UI, Rich media capture and storage | |
| Code minification, Production build generation |
1. AppMySite
AppMySite is a DIY, no-code app maker tool known for simplicity and speed. It is suitable for building both native and web-view business apps and supports endless use cases. Developers can create feature-rich apps for any website or industry. AppMySite’s intuitive app-builder guides users as they design their apps, customize screens, and add features and functionalities with point-and-click options. Anyone can develop enterprise-level apps in minutes and deploy them on the app stores.
Features
- Color palette
- Interactive layout
- Categorize products smartly
- Sync your website & app menu
- Auto-populate blogs from the website
- WordPress custom post & taxonomy support
- Integration with WooCommerce
- Easy-to-use interface and streamlined app development process
- Supports both iOS and Android platforms– thereby widening the app’s reach
- Provides various templates and customization options for custom app design
- Steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with the platform
- Relatively limited community support compared to other mobile development apps
2. Apache Cordova
Apache Cordova is a popular free mobile app development software that allows you to create hybrid applications. With Apache Cordova, the developer doesn’t necessarily need to know mobile programming languages. Instead, they can get started with languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript for app creation software. In fact, it allows you to create apps that will work for multiple platforms with a single codebase to reach the maximum audience.
Features
- Integrates with various libraries
- View and manage changes in the app
- Operates on multiple operating systems
- Native APIs
- Robust backend support
- Offer cross-platform development capability, enabling easy code reuse
- Seamless integration with popular web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Access to native device features through plugins– enhancing app functionality
- Performance limitations due to dependency on web technologies
- Occasional compatibility issues across different devices
- Less optimal performance compared to fully native apps
3. Appy Pie
Appy Pie is one of the best open-source mobile app development software. It is a no-code app builder that aims to make mobile app development affordable and accessible to anyone with an internet-connected device. This powerful yet reasonably priced platform allows anyone to create an app in minutes. Its simple and easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface makes the entire process enjoyable and rewarding. The platform provides app users with hundreds of features, design options, and templates.
Features
- App distribution
- Unlimited bandwidth and hosting
- Unlimited app editing
- Push notifications
- App analytics
- App submission support
- A low-code platform that allows users with limited coding experience to build apps
- Quick app development with drag-and-drop features and pre-built templates
- Supports multiple platforms– including iOS and Android
- Limited customization and scalability options for more complex app requirements
- The app has poor UI and navigation
- Narrow scope for implementing advanced features and functionalities
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4. Flutter
Flutter is free mobile app development software best suited for hybrid apps. Developed by Google, Flutter is one of the most popular app development software written in Dart, C, and C++.
Flutter enables you to create applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. What’s more, you don’t have to restart the application when testing your project. It offers the Hot Reload functionality, which makes the whole development process stress-free and optimized.
Features
- Hot reload
- Cross-platform development
- Widget library
- Native performance
- Tooling, language, and extensions
- IDE and Firebase support
- Rendering engine
- Rich UI toolkit with customizable widgets for creating visually appealing apps
- Fast development with hot reloading– enabling real-time code changes
- High-performance and native-like experience on multiple platforms
- Steeper learning curve, especially for developers new to Dart and the Flutter framework
- Limited availability of third-party libraries and packages compared to more established frameworks
5. Ionic
Ionic is another free mobile app development software mostly preferred for creating hybrid apps. It allows you to build applications for various platforms, including Android, iOS, and web, using a single codebase.
What’s more, it offers intuitive UI components that accelerate the app development process. Besides, it can be deployed virtually anywhere. Ionic boasts over 120 native device features, predefined elements, and a large community of developers.
Features
- Cross-platform app development
- Modern web APIs (Custom Elements and Shadow DOM)
- Cordova plugin
- Command Line Interface
- Standalone web component library
- Ion-ripple effect
- Offer cross-platform development using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Extensive library of pre-built UI components for faster and easier app development
- Seamless integration with Angular and other popular frameworks
- Performance limitations due to dependency on web technologies
- Inconsistent user experience across different devices
- Relatively slower rendering speed compared to fully native apps
6. Xamarin
Xamarin is a free and open source mobile app development application founded by Microsoft in 2011. It is a set of tools that enables developers to build apps for various operating systems, including Windows, Android, and iOS — all in one programming language.
One of the reasons why Xamarin is quite popular is that it uses the C# programming language. Besides, using the Xamarin Test Cloud, you can automatically test apps on around 2,000 real mobile devices.
Features
- Native multiplatform support
- Close development deadlines
- Shared codes
- Wearable support
- Platform-specific code bindings
- Cross-platform development with shared codebase, saving time and effort
- Easy access to native APIs– resulting in high-performance
- Seamless integration with Visual Studio, besides strong community support
- Steeper learning curve for developers– especially those new to C# and the Xamarin framework
- Large app size due to the inclusion of the Mono runtime
- Limited access to certain platform-specific features and functionalities
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7. Buildfire
Buildfire is another of the best free low code app builder and mobile app development software on our list. It offers a robust set of tools for building apps for Android and iOS. It is well-known for its high-end custom development capabilities and easy, intuitive DIY platform.
What’s more, it currently supports more than 10,000 apps and is flexible enough to scale as your business starts to grow. You can’t ignore the simple and functional drag-and-drop UI either, as it makes it easy to build the app quickly.
Features
- No coding required
- Interactive emulator
- Single sign-on
- In-app purchases
- Shopify integration
- Personalized push notifications
- Low-code platform– allowing users to create apps without coding skills
- Extensive library of pre-built plugins and features for faster app development
- Customizable app templates and designs to suit different business needs
- Limited flexibility for advanced customization
- Reliance on Buildfire’s ecosystem limits integration with external systems
- Higher cost for premium features and advanced functionality
8. Felgo
Felgo is a free mobile app development software that allows you to create apps for iOS, desktop (Windows and Linux), and Android devices. Using a single codebase, you can create an application for different operating systems. It was ranked first as the most time-saving framework, easiest to learn, and best support system as compared to the other 40 leading tools. Besides, it’s a great system for developing game apps as it supports 3D objects, too.
Features
- QML hot reload
- APIs and tooling
- Native plugins
- Auto-adapting UI
- Database and user authentication
- Localization
- Powerful development framework with cross-platform capabilities
- Extensive documentation and support– making it beginner-friendly
- Built-in components and tools for game development
- Limited community and smaller user base compared to other mobile development apps
- Has a less comprehensive library of pre-built UI components compared to some other frameworks
- Poor scalability scope for large-scale and complex applications
9. Appcelerator
Appcelerator is a leading mobile app development software that offers both paid and free versions. It enables developers to build a native mobile app using JavaScript, a popular scripting language.
Furthermore, you need fewer lines of code to develop apps as it allows for the reuse of codes across different platforms. The software supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, and browser-based HTML5 applications.
Features
- DE and Titanium SDK
- App designer
- Hyperloop
- Immediate support for new OS releases
- Visual designer
- Allow cross-platform development with a shared codebase using JavaScript
- Facilitate rapid app development with pre-built modules
- Access to native APIs for enhanced app functionality and performance
- Limited access to platform-specific features and functionalities
- Occasional performance issues due to the interpretation of JavaScript code
- Steep learning curve for developers new to JavaScript
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10. Mobincube
Mobincube is a web-based application that enables users to create apps with no prior knowledge of any software programming language. It comes with a robust set of tools that lets you create mobile stores, customize every little detail, develop your own advanced functionalities, and more. Besides, it has an excellent app interface, and you can use the software to create any kind of app — entertainment, health, educational, and more.
Features
- Visual interface
- App templates
- Online shop
- Monetization
- Embed web
- Google Maps integration
- Low-code platform– allowing users to create apps without coding skills
- Wide range of pre-built templates and customization options for app design
- Supports multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and progressive web apps
- Limited customization scope for apps with unique requirements
- Dependency on Mobincube’s ecosystem limits integration with external systems
- Poor scope for implementing complex functionality and custom features
11. LongRange
LongRange is a native mobile application development tool that uses Cobol, CL, and RPG. It does not require one to know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It enables swift mobile application development and a short maintenance process. It comes with functionalities such as commands, form views, and navigation tabs.
Features
- Native apps using CL, COBOL, or RPG
- Embed existing web pages
- Native features
- Reusable codes
- Multiple deployment options
- Supports mobile app development for IBM I (AS/400) systems
- Simplifies the development of modern and user-friendly interfaces for IBM i systems
- Offers native-like performance and offline capabilities for a seamless user experience
- Limited platform compatibility as the framework focuses specifically on IBM i (AS/400) systems
- Requires knowledge of RPG or COBOL languages for backend integration
- Relatively limited resources compared to more mainstream mobile app development frameworks
12. Qt
Qt’s cross-platform framework allows you to design, develop, and deploy mobile applications cost-effectively for different types of portable, handheld iOS, Android, and Windows devices. The free and open-source platform provides a comprehensive and conducive development environment for delivering excellent user experiences. The time-honored and stable solution was initially used for developing software for Windows and Mac.
Features
- AI-enabled IDE
- Sophisticated code editor
- Version control
- Project & build management
- Qt Device emulator
- Qt Quick compiler
- Cross-platform framework with a wide range of supported platforms, including desktop and embedded systems
- Powerful UI development tools and comprehensive libraries for creating visually appealing apps
- Supports multiple programming languages, including C++, Python, and JavaScript
- Steeper learning curve, especially for developers new to the Qt framework
- Limited access to platform-specific features compared to more native-focused frameworks
- Requires additional effort for UI customization to achieve a platform-specific look and feel
13. Alpha Anywhere
Alpha Anywhere provides no-code and low-code environments for rapidly developing and deploying cross-platform web and mobile apps. It uses HTML and JavaScript to create apps that are also offline-capable. It is known as a comprehensive solution that supports mobile app development and desktop, web, and SaaS application development. It also comes with a massive library of tutorials that can speed up the app development process.
Features
- Low-code platform
- Built-in data integration
- Cross-platform, native-like UI
- Rich media capture and storage
- Robust API for integrating with databases
- Rapid app development platform with a no-code/low-code approach
- Supports cross-platform development and integration with various APIs
- Offers offline capabilities and enterprise-grade security features
- Limited flexibility for complex and highly customized app requirements
- Dependency on Alpha Anywhere’s ecosystem limits integration with external systems
- Relatively limited resources compared to more widely adopted frameworks
14. Sencha Ext JS
Sencha Ext JS uses an MVC-based JavaScript framework to create highly responsive mobile applications that can elevate customer satisfaction. It facilitates the rapid design, development, and management of cross-platform, data-intensive applications compatible with all Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Mobile apps created with Sencha Ext JS have boasted excellent business intelligence features that fuel data visualization and analytics.
Features
- Low-code editor
- Scaffolding
- Code minification
- Production build generation
- UI asset kit
- End-to-end testing solution
- Robust framework for building web and mobile applications with a single codebase
- Rich UI components and extensive theme support for creating visually appealing apps
- Comprehensive data package and built-in tools for data management and integration
- Steeper learning curve– especially for developers new to the Sencha Ext JS framework
- A commercial license is required for certain features and extended support
What Are the Key Features of Free Mobile App Development Software?
The key features of best free app development software include customizability, cross-platform compatibility, interoperability, and testing tools. Let’s look at them.
- Customizability: Open source gives full access to modify the source code, enabling unlimited customization possibilities to perfectly fit your project needs.
- Cross-platform compatibility: These tools’ cross-platform capabilities let you develop apps that work seamlessly across iOS, Android, and other mobile operating systems.
- Security and transparency: The publicly available source code undergoes scrutiny from a global community of developers, promoting transparency and making it easier to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities.
- Interoperability: Open-source tools often integrate well with other open-source technologies, enabling developers to build comprehensive solutions by combining various components and libraries.
- Testing and Debugging Tools: Comprehensive testing frameworks, code analysis, and debugging utilities help check apps for quality assurance and enable efficient troubleshooting.
- Documentation and Resources: Many open-source projects maintain comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and knowledge bases to support developers in understanding and effectively using the software.
What Are the Benefits of the Best Free Mobile App Development Software?
There are several advantages to using free mobile app development software, including lower hardware and development costs, global support, and regular updates. Let us look at them in detail.
1. Lower Hardware Costs
Free mobile app development software is often designed to be lightweight and versatile, which can contribute to reduced hardware requirements compared to other platforms. This also means you can utilize old or cost-effective hardware for your mobile app development needs.
2. Reduced Development Expenses
Another benefit of using a free mobile app development tool is that the platform is free of cost and does not include any licensing fee. Open-source software allows you to install and uninstall the mobile app development platform multiple times. You can also access it from any location without worrying about monitoring or tracking license compliance.
3. Access to Unlimited Support
Free mobile app development tool is typically supported by thriving online communities. This grants you access to unlimited support and maintenance from diverse sources without any added expense should you encounter any issues during development.
4. High-Quality Software
In addition to being cost-free, open-source mobile app development software is often of exceptional quality. Since the source code is readily available, it is well-designed and requires minimal modifications. This allows you to save time during app creation and focus on other crucial aspects.
5. Continuous Updates
Once an app is released, the developer community continuously contributes to improving it. Regular updates mean developers can quickly tweak and enhance features, keeping pace with users’ evolving needs. This continual improvement, driven by collaborative communities, ensures apps remain relevant and user-friendly, fostering long-lasting satisfaction.
What Is the Purpose of the Best Free Mobile App Development Software?
The best open-source mobile app development software serves a clear purpose: to empower developers with free, versatile tools for creating high-quality applications. These platforms offer a cost-effective alternative, enabling efficient app development without the burden of licensing fees.
Free mobile app development software promotes innovation through open collaboration, providing access to a wealth of resources and support from vibrant developer communities. In fact, the best open-source mobile app development software aims to streamline the app creation process by focusing on flexibility and ease of use.
Conclusion
The open-source community has revolutionized mobile app development by providing a wealth of free and powerful software tools. From versatile IDEs and code editors to robust testing frameworks and extensive documentation, these open-source solutions offer a comprehensive and cost-effective approach to building high-quality mobile apps.
Which free mobile app development software do you use often and why? Let us know in the comments section below!
Although not all mobile app development software is free, open-source tools are usually free of cost.
There are several best free mobile app development software in the market currently. Some of them include Apache Cordova, Appy Pie, Felgo, Ionic, Buildfire, Xamarin, and so on.
Despite its advantages, there are certain drawbacks to using open-source mobile app development software. These include a lack of security, intellectual property issues, a lack of warranty, and poor developer practices.
The right free Android app development software is one that provides 100% support of features, has a clear app update path, provides complete access to hardware-related features, unlimited customer support, and is highly secure and responsive.
Rohit Rajpal is an accomplished writer and data enthusiast passionate about unraveling the intricacies of information and data. With a deep understanding of the subject matter, Rohit strives to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to readers. Rohit’s expertise in the field and his knack for clear and concise communication make his blog an invaluable resource for those seeking clarity in the data-driven world.
