Behind every successful mobile OS, there is a development platform that made it happen. Mobile usage soared by 58% in 2015, which makes mobile application tools in demand more now than ever before. Each New Year brings new mobile technologies with new features and new hardware. And businesses are taking notice. As a result, developers who are tasked with creating these apps need software that can create applications that fulfill current demands across platforms.
Here are a few of our top picks of mobile app development software that are considered the best for this year –
1. PhoneGap
Owned by Adobe, PhoneGap is a free app development tool and is also one of the most popular of its type amongst developers. One of the reasons is that it provides amateur developers and easy way to translate their code from CSS, HTML5 and JavaScript. Plus the tool also maintains SDKs at its end.
2. SAP
SAP is one of the oldest platforms known to developers. Part of the reason why it deserves a place on our list is its latest 3.0 launch which offers a simpler development experience for users. What makes this version better than its predecessor? It helps developers create cross platform tools without breaking the bank and with a single HTML5 code.
3. Sencha
This tool allows you to develop applications in HTML5 and is an ideal choice for businesses that rely on web applications. One of their main products is Sencha Ext JS 6 for app developers. With a HTML5 based framework and its deal with SAP that allows SAP customers to use Sencha Touch; this app platform is a real winner. In addition, after HTML5 code is developed with this platform, you can use other tools like PhoneGap to convert it for both Android and iOS.
4. Appcelerator
If you are looking for a tool that promises efficient development and quality apps, then Appcelerator should be in your toolkit. It has the ability to convert about 60 to 90% of code in an instant – a handy perk that reduces development time considerably. Its Titanium mobile platform is based on Eclipse and is available free for download.
5. Xamarin
This app development tool became one of the most popular ones out there with the release of its second version, Xamarin 2 last year. And it continues to be a leader in app development this year as well. The tool uses a single shared C# for developers to create native apps in iOS, Windows and Android and even test for bugs. Xamarin also offers real time analytics to make it possible for developers to monitor their application.
6. Como
Como supports a million apps in its infrastructure globally, so you can bet that it is one of the best mobile platforms. The tool offers developers to choose from a number of navigation styles and templates to customize their mobile applications. You can even add some spice to a Como app by including some of your own artwork. If your clients include businesses like fast food chains, features like loyalty card schemes and calendar integration can prove to be useful.
7. Good Barber
A simple four step process is all it takes to make beautiful apps with the Good Barber app development tool. This tool has developers focus on design first and content after unlike most platforms of the type. Moreover, it also lets you test native apps on tablets or mobile, edit it at the backend and see real time results.
8. Dojo Mobile
The Dojo platform is open source but is also available commercially as part of IBM’s WebSphere. It offers JavaScript, HTML and CSS (Cascade Style Sheets) to enable developers to create mobile pages for mobile devices and for desktop. Moreover, it also offers cross platform development tools. For example, the platform offers a number of widgets that can be used to create web based apps for mobile devices such as BlackBerry, Windows Phone 8, iPhone and Android. It has a light design that enhances user experience as well.
9. Bizness Apps
As the name implies Bizness Apps is an app development platform that caters to businesses – specifically smaller ventures. This makes it a good tool for developers who cater to businesses like bars, restaurants and the like.
It offers developers an easy way to pull valuable content from social media and other websites. The best part about the tool is that you don’t need to have expertise in coding to make functional applications with it. Edit your app and see changes in it in real time.
10. jQuery Mobile
jQuery Mobile is an open source project and is perfect for businesses that need free mobile development platforms that facilitate existing jQuery skills. Plus, it can be used to create apps across different mobile platforms on a range of smartphones with CSS, JavaScript and HTML. Businesses that need hybrid mobile apps can use PhoneGap along with JQuery Mobile.
11. Kony
Kony was a hit even when it only specialized in tools for consumer facing applications back in 2007. Fast forward to 2016 and the app platform has since integrated features that allow developers to create enterprise products. It works as a cross platform development tool which means that you can use it to create apps on desktop browsers and tablets besides smartphones. It was also named a leader in the Gartner 2016 Magic Quadrant for MADP (Mobile Application Development Platforms)
12. Mobile Roadie
Mobile Roadie is a bit pricy but you know that it’s a good investment if big names like Universal and TED.org used it for their own apps. The tool offers a range of impressive features from geo targeting abilities to intricate design templates and fan walls. Subscriptions are a bit on the expensive side but Mobile Roadie can be a good mobile phone app development platform in the long term.
The tools in this list are leading the pack in app development this year and developers can definitely use them to explore new ways to improve their skills and gain an edge in their work.
Author Bio: Cristopher Thorpe is a senior app developer in a software development firm. He did MCS in 2008 from a private University of USA. He has 8 years’ experience in field of app development. Currently, he is developing quality iPhone app for entertainment.
