22 Best App Development Software Picks of 2025
Best App Development Software Shortlist
After consideration of features, pricing, and useability, here are my picks for the best app development software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Finding the right app development software can significantly streamline the development process and boost productivity, whether you’re building for mobile, web, or cross-platform environments.
However, the sheer number of available app development tools—combined with the challenge of aligning them with your team’s skills and project requirements—can make selecting the best option overwhelming.
In this article, I leverage my years of experience building apps across industries and testing dozens of app development platforms to break down what these tools offer, who they’re best suited for, and how they can help you create high-quality applications with less complexity and more efficiency.
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Best App Development Software Summary
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for microservice development | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 2 | Best workflow automation | 15-day free trial | From $10/user/month (billed annually) + $20 base fee per month | Website | |
| 3 | Best for companies that use Agile | Free plan available | From $58/user/month (5 seats included, billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for AI-assisted app development | 14-day free trial | From $25/user/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for Apple development | Free plan available | Free to use | Website | |
| 6 | Best back-end services | 14-day free trial | From $25/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for cross-platform development | Free plan available | Free | Website | |
| 8 | Best for Android development | Not available | Free to use | Website | |
| 9 | Best error handling features | 14-day free trial | From $15.83/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for enterprise application development | Free plan available | From $25/user/month | Website |
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Deel
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
New Relic
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3 -
Checkmk
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7
Overviews of the Best App Development Software
Let’s look at each tool’s unique features, integrations, and pricing to help you make an informed choice.
Rierino is a low-code platform designed to help you build scalable, enterprise-grade microservice architectures. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for developing and orchestrating high-performance microservices.
Why I Picked Rierino: I like its drag-and-drop interface for designing microservices. This allows your team to rapidly develop services that handle database operations, business logic, and machine learning models, all without writing code. This approach not only speeds up development but also makes it easier to maintain and update your applications as business needs evolve.
Rierino Standout Features and Integrations
Features include the ability to deploy Rierino in any environment, whether it's a public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises data center, giving your team the freedom to choose the best infrastructure for your needs. Additionally, Rierino supports authentication through built-in options or integration with existing identity and access management solutions like Keycloak, ensuring enterprise-grade security.
Integrations include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, Stripe, Mastercard, Adyen, MongoDB, Redis, RabbitMQ, OpenAI, SAP, and Keycloak.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Developers can build applications using independent, reusable services
- Rapid development capabilities for complex projects
- Adaptive technology that meets diverse development needs
Cons:
- Requires careful API management
- Managing multiple microservices and event-driven workflows can be challenging
Zoho Creator is a low-code app-building platform that allows you to develop a variety of applications, including desktop, mobile, analytics, BI, and online portals.
Why I Picked Zoho Creator: I liked that Zoho Creator had strong workflow automation capabilities that I could leverage to speed up my processes and cut down on repetitive tasks right from the visual builder. For any custom scripting, I could use the company’s Deluge language, but I rarely needed to go that route.
Zoho Creator Standout Features and Integrations
Features include its low-code platform that empowers users to build powerful applications without extensive programming knowledge. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies the app development process, making it accessible for developers and non-technical users. Its seamless integration with other Zoho products and third-party tools sets it apart, allowing businesses to create a fully connected ecosystem for their workflows. Additionally, Zoho Creator offers solid customization options and AI-driven insights, enabling users to tailor apps to their exact needs while optimizing performance through data-driven suggestions.
Integrations are pre-built for Twilio, SharePoint, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor ERP, SAP, Google Calendar, Salesforce, QuickBooks, and Google Workspace.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Large template library
- Robust workflow automation features
Cons:
- Requires knowledge of the proprietary Deluge language for custom scripting
- Limited pre-built integrations
Mendix is a low-code development platform that also provides process automation and legacy modernization initiatives.
Why I Picked Mendix: As someone with extensive Agile experience, I found the Epics feature in Mendix to be comprehensive for teams that use this particular approach to development. It provides Scrum and Kanban boards that I used to manage workflows and organize sprints.
Mendix Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an advanced process modeling and workflow automation tools, enabling organizations to design, execute, and optimize complex workflows. Studio Creatio also offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that caters to both non-technical users and developers, fostering collaboration across teams. Its extensive integration capabilities allow connectivity with existing systems, while its AI-driven tools provide insights and recommendations to enhance app performance and streamline business operations.
Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Azure, IBM Cloud, AWS, SAP, and Google Cloud. You can also use APIs to connect to third-party services of your choosing.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports Agile development
- Extensible
- Provides several collaboration tools
Cons:
- Weak customer support
- Only cost-effective for large companies
Studio Creatio is a no-code platform designed to enable users to build applications and automate workflows without requiring programming skills.
Why I Picked Studio Creatio: The platform's application hub provides a consolidated view of all available apps, connectors, and templates, enabling users to manage instances and facilitate a collaborative no-code development process. This, combined with the no-code designer, allows you to create and modify pages, views, data models, workflows, and integrations within a single interface.
Studio Creatio Standout Features and Integrations
Features I liked include Studio Creatio's composable architecture and centralized workspace for configuring and deploying AI use cases for CRM and AI-assisted app development. Additionally, the platform offers workflow automation for managing processes.
Integrations include Jira, Calendly, Zoom, Shopify, Asterisk, Chat Master, PandaDoc, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, Quickbooks, SAP BusinessOne, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Workflow automation
- Drag-and-drop interface
- No-code application building
Cons:
- Potential learning curve for those unfamiliar with no-code development
- Feature enhancements may take time and effort to be deployed
Xcode is a free IDE from Apple that the company promotes as the ideal choice for applications that run on its platforms, including macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
Why I Picked Xcode: Xcode ships with extensive support for Swift and SwiftUI, Apple’s preferred app development language and interface framework. The version of Swift in Xcode is supported by Apple directly, and you get access to official pre-release versions in the IDE.
Xcode Standout Features and Integrations
Features include its Simulator, which provides real-time previews of your app, allowing you to see how changes impact the user interface without needing to deploy to a physical device. Additionally, the visual debugger streamlines troubleshooting by enabling you to interact directly with UI elements rather than sifting through code, speeding up the development process.
Integrations include Apple Developer Tools, GitHub, Slack, GitLab, and Jenkins.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Out-of-the-box support for Swift and SwiftUI
- Device simulator
- Officially backed by Apple, so it runs smoothly on its devices
Cons:
- Limited to Apple devices
- Doesn’t support other languages as well as it does Swift
Appery is a low-code development platform for building web apps, progressive web apps (PWAs), and hybrid mobile apps using JavaScript.
Why I Picked Appery: I found Appery to have enough back-end services to help me get a low-code app up and running from the visual builder. I was able to create and manage the databases that held my assets and could access an inbuilt query editor to run queries and tests within them.
Appery Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a cloud-based app development platform that simplifies building cross-platform apps through its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components. Appery uniquely combines a visual editor with backend services and API integration, making it an all-in-one solution for developers looking to streamline their workflows. Its ability to easily incorporate REST APIs and customize app logic provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing developers to create scalable applications without extensive coding expertise.
Integrations are available via REST APIs that you can use to connect to third-party solutions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Large library of pre-built plugins and templates for faster development
- REST APIs to extend all apps
- Robust back-end services
Cons:
- Dated interface
- Limited pre-built integrations
.NET is a developer platform from Microsoft that provides a variety of tools for creating apps that work in some of the most popular OSs, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Why I Picked .NET: One of .NET’s newest features is MAUI, short for Multi-platform App UI, which I used to build both desktop and mobile apps from one codebase in C#. The sample project I made ran so smoothly on Android, macOS, and Windows that I couldn’t tell it wasn’t native.
.NET Standout Features and Integrations
Features include cross-platform application development, allowing you to build web, desktop, mobile, cloud, and IoT solutions with a single framework. It offers a unified runtime and comprehensive libraries that ensure consistent performance and streamlined workflows. Compatibility with multiple programming languages such as C#, F#, and Visual Basic provides flexibility and solid tools for scalable, high-performance applications.
Integrations are pre-built for Visual Studio, Xamarin, PyCharm, DataGrip, CodePatrol, New Relic, Snyk, Rider, CodeScene, and ReSharper.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Lets you build web apps with C#
- Microservice builder
- Cross-platform app builder
Cons:
- Complex class hierarchy system
- Manufacturer sometimes ends support for and replaces components
Android Studio is the official IDE from Google that the company says is the best tool for anyone developing Android applications.
Why I Picked Android Studio: I chose Android Studio because of Emulator, a feature that allows you to simulate different Android devices and API levels on which you can test your projects. This helps you account for variations across devices, something that’s valuable for anyone developing Android apps.
Android Studio Standout Features and Integrations
Features I liked in Android Studio include package management that allowed me to create separate Android Package Kits (APKs) for different devices from a single code base. This helped me ship products where one APK wasn’t enough to provide smooth performance across drastic different platforms, like an APK for newer phones and another one for older Android TVs.
Studio also translated my Java code to Kotlin and showed me Kotlin equivalents for Java as I wrote. As someone with little Kotlin experience, this made it easy to learn the language on the fly.
Integrations are pre-built for Firebase, GitHub, GitLab, and Google Play.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong application package management features
- Allows you to learn Kotlin on the fly
- Official Google backing
Cons:
- Kotlin-centric
- Resource intensive
Rollbar is an enterprise error monitoring platform that provides a variety of tools for error detection, reporting, and resolution.
Why I Picked Rollbar: While not used solely for app development, I liked that Rollbar gave me digital breadcrumbs in error reports that I could follow to pinpoint and address the root cause. These logs included vital information such as network activity, page loads, and console logs.
Rollbar Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time error monitoring and debugging, making it easy to identify and fix issues as they occur. Its integration with various platforms and programming languages ensures broad compatibility for developers. Additionally, the tool provides detailed error context and analytics, helping teams prioritize and address critical issues efficiently.
Integrations are pre-built for Jenkins, Slack, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Asana, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Trello, and Heroku.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fairly generous free tier
- Detailed logging
- Robust error management features
Cons:
- Automatic error grouping means you might miss crucial errors
- Requires extensive configuration to avoid being overloaded with the errors it discovers
Codeless ONE is a no-code development platform designed for enterprises wanting to create fully customizable software applications without the need for coding expertise.
Why I Picked Codeless ONE: I like that Codeless ONE leverages AI for development. For example, its AI-powered fast prototyping capability allows users to draft app structures and features quickly, optimizing layouts and user flows with minimal effort. The platform's intuitive editing tools further simplify the development process. Additionally, the one-click publish and launch feature streamlines the deployment process, allowing applications to go live in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional development methods.
Codeless ONE Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an advanced drag-and-drop editor and a solid backend automation system that enables integration with third-party tools and APIs. Its emphasis on enterprise-grade scalability and security makes it a strong choice for organizations needing complex, high-performing applications without extensive development resources.
Integrations are not stated on the Codeless ONE website.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Accessible to non-technical users
- Uses AI to enhance processes, provide intelligent suggestions, and automate tasks
- Allows for rapid prototyping and quick setup
Cons:
- The reliance on AI and no-code technology may not be ideal for building more complex features
- Limited dashboards for free and starter plans
Other App Development Software Options
Even though these app development tools didn’t make my primary list, they’re still worth checking out:
- AppSheet
No-code option
- Jira
Issue tracking software
- Caspio
For building no-code database apps
- Appian
Business process automation features
- Quixy
Business process management (BPM) features
- IntelliJ IDEA
For Java apps
- Shoutem
For development with React Native
- Visual Studio Code
For C++ development
- iBuildApp
For institutional apps
- Appy Pie
For creating help desks
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Selection Criteria for App Development Software
Choosing the right app development software is a crucial decision. Through rigorous personal tests and extensive research, I've developed a comprehensive set of criteria for testing app development software.
App development software features can include an intuitive user interface, cross-platform compatibility, and a library of pre-built templates.
Other app development software features can include:
- Strong debugging tracking/tools.
- Flexible integration capabilities.
- Built-in analytics.
- Scalable architecture.
- Cloud support.
- Community and support access.
- An IDE.
To make my list of the best app development software, the solution must meet common use cases such as mobile or web app development.
- Core App Development Functionality: 25% of total weighting score:
- Mobile application development
- Web application development
- Backend development
- More Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score:
- Low-code/no-code development capabilities
- AI-driven code suggestion and optimization
- Real-time collaboration features
- Automated code review and quality checks
- Continuous integration and delivery pipelines
- Usability: 10% of total weighting score:
- Intuitive user interface with customizable layouts
- Efficient code completion and error highlighting
- Seamless integration with popular development tools
- Consistent design across platforms
- Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score:
- Interactive tutorials and step-by-step guides
- Pre-built project templates for a quick start
- On-demand training videos and webinars
- Dedicated support channels for migration help
- Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score:
- Responsive 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
- Timely resolution of issues and bugs
- Proactive outreach for feedback and updates
- Support agents with technical expertise
- Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score:
- Transparent pricing structure with flexible plans
- Free trial or demo option for evaluation
- Clear ROI potential with enhanced productivity
- Competitive pricing compared to similar solutions
- Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score:
- Consistency in positive feedback about performance
- Demonstrated value for investment based on user testimonials
- Acknowledgement of responsive and helpful customer support
- Evidence of successful project outcomes and delivered results
How to Choose App Development Software
With so many different app development software solutions available, deciding the best fit for your needs can be challenging.
As you're shortlisting, trialing, and selecting app development software or other custom software development companies, consider the following:
- What problem are you trying to solve - Start by identifying the specific issue or need your app is addressing. This will help narrow your options to app development software specializing in those areas.
- Who will need to use it - To check cost and requirements, consider who will use the app development software. Do you need it for a solo developer, a small team, or a large enterprise? Different solutions offer varied features and pricing models that cater to varying sizes of teams and budgets.
- What other tools does it need to work with - Clarify which tools and systems your chosen app development software will need to integrate with. This could include databases, analytics platforms, and other software used in your development workflow. Compatibility with these tools is crucial for a seamless development process.
- What outcomes are important? - Consider your goals. You may want more user engagement, revenue, or brand awareness. You may also prefer a straightforward development process. Keep your goals in mind when looking at different app development software. This will help ensure the tool you choose aligns with your objectives.
- How it would work within your organization - Consider the app development software selection alongside your workflows. Check what's working well and what's causing issues. Remember, every business is different. So please don't assume that because a tool is popular, it'll work in your organization.
Trends in App Development Software
I reviewed the product updates, press releases, and release logs from the most popular app development software solutions.
Researching updates and releases from top app development software offers industry insights. It shows the latest trends and new technologies, helping you stay informed, adopt the latest tools, and deliver innovative solutions to clients and users.
In the world of app development software, several trends are shaping the industry:
- Integration of AI and Machine Learning: In my research, I found that generative AI and machine learning are transforming how apps are designed, made, and used. These technologies lend a more personal experience to apps by analyzing data in real-time, predicting user behavior, and making real-time adjustments.
- Focus on Low-code/No-code Development: Another trend that caught my attention is focusing on low-code or no-code app builders. These platforms meet the growing demand for fast app development. The intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and visual development environments let you create applications quickly.
- Emphasis on Security and Compliance: Data breaches and cyber-attacks have become increasingly frequent. Thus, keeping your users' data safe must be a top priority. I noted that the top platforms use advanced security features, including end-to-end encryption, security compliance adherence, secure logins, and regular security audits. These measures are vital for gaining users' trust.
What is App Development Software?
App development software refers to solutions for creating, testing, and deploying applications for mobile, desktop, or web platforms. These tools streamline the development process by offering features like no-code platforms and integrated development environments (IDEs) that allow users to write their own code.
Leveraging app development software can reduce development time, enhance app functionality, and create a seamless user experience.
Features of App Development Software
Choosing the right app development software is vital if you want to turn an idea into a digital product. Each tool has unique features designed to meet different development needs. To make development easy, I'll highlight some helpful app development software features.
- Intuitive User Interface: A good interface simplifies learning and boosts productivity.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: This functionality lets you create apps that work across various systems.
- Library of Pre-built Templates: A collection of templates can speed up your development process and provide a solid starting point for various types of apps.
- Debugging Tracking/Tools: Debugging tools allow you to identify and correct code errors.
- Flexible Integration Capabilities: They can streamline your development process and help with customization.
- Built-In Analytics: Built-in analytics give valuable insights into app usage and user behavior, allowing for data-driven decision-making for future updates.
- Scalable Architecture: As your user base expands or adds more features, the app will remain stable and perform well.
- Cloud Integration: Adding cloud services makes storing and accessing data easy. It boosts flexibility for developers and users.
- Community and Support: Access to a vibrant community and reliable support reduces my development time.
- An Integrated Development Environment (IDE): An IDE helps by adding features to code, debug, test, and deploy your app.
These features make your app development more manageable and productive. They also ensure that apps are functional, scalable, and easy to use.
Benefits of App Development Software
Through my journey as a software developer, I've come to appreciate the critical role of app development software. It's not another tool in the toolbox; it's a true game-changer. It improves efficiency and helps your teams work together better. The best software also makes integration and management easy.
Here's a breakdown of the top five benefits of using app development software:
- Makes Building Apps Easier and Faster: This software has streamlined parts of the development process, allowing me to create apps with less hassle.
- Better Teamwork: It provides a shared space for collaborating and organizing work. This fosters a sense of unity and productivity, helping us get more done and produce better results.
- Saves Money: App development software has cut my costs by helping me use my resources, reduce mistakes, and maximize what I can do with my tools.
- Adapts and Grows with Your Needs: These tools can handle changes and grow with my projects, so I don't have to pause or stop what I'm doing to adjust.
- Gets Apps Out There Faster: Features like auto code creation, templates, and quick prototyping allow me to launch my apps faster, ensuring I stay ahead in this changing digital world.
Using app development software has allowed me to bring my ideas from concept to reality faster. It gives me an edge in today's ever-changing digital world. Plus, with the ability to adapt and grow with my needs, I can improve and expand upon my apps, staying ahead of the curve.
Costs & Pricing for App Development Software
Navigating the costs and pricing options for app development software can be daunting if you are new to buying it. Understanding the various plans is crucial for making an informed decision.
Things you should consider:
- Free plans offer a cost-effective option for starting an app development project, but they may have limitations on features and support.
- Basic plans provide essential tools at a reasonable price point, making them suitable for small-scale projects and individual developers.
- Pro plans balance affordability and functionality, catering to the needs of growing teams and businesses.
- Enterprise plans offer the highest level of customization and support, making them ideal for large enterprises with complex development requirements.
Below, I outline the plan options and pricing structures commonly offered by app development software providers, providing insight into each plan's value.
Plan Comparison Table for App Development Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | - Basic development tools, limited access to premium features, restricted usage quotas, community support |
| Basic Plan | $20 - $50 per month | - Essential development tools, access to core features, limited project storage, email support |
| Pro Plan | $100 - $200 per month | - Advanced development tools, expanded feature set, increased project storage, priority support |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom Pricing | - Customized solutions tailored to specific needs, unlimited access to all features, dedicated account manager, 24/7 premium support |
You should carefully consider your budget, project requirements, and desired level of support when selecting an app development plan. By evaluating the features and pricing options available, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your app development goals and resources.
People Also Ask
Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked about app development software:
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Want More?
Application development software comes in various forms that cater to different approaches, from no-code to full code. Teams with little to no technical expertise should go for the former. In contrast, more experienced devs could go with either, depending on how much custom functionality they want and the resources they have at their disposal.
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