Android is more than 2.5 billion users Worldwide. Starting an application with this operating system allows you to reach a large number of mobile users. To achieve this, you need Android app builder software that provides the right architecture, customizations, and lifecycle management for your app.
Also, make sure it makes it easy to integrate your creation with other apps while ensuring security and performance. The software of your choice should remain scalable and make it easy to update your product.
To help you choose, we have collected 13 software for building Android applications.
Why choose Android to create an application?
Android represents more than 72% of the global market for mobile operating systems and almost 67% of the French market. By choosing it for your next application, you benefit from several advantages:
Android is open source
Since it’s open source, you can choose pre-installed apps, tweak the design, optimize, and then recompile the code and adapt it to a variety of devices.
This allows you to quickly adapt your Android application to new smartphones. An undoubted advantage when you know that technology is evolving very fast …
Building Android applications remains inexpensive
Creating an application for Android means guaranteeing a quick return on investment. You will not pay annual fees, neither to be a developer nor for the SDK tools.
With iOS, you have to pay an annual payment of $ 99. On Android, the installment is one-time and costs $ 25.
The big expense comes during design, including resources, graphics, audio creation, and coding. Other rates include advertising costs for your app and App Store Optimization (ASO). However, they can pay for themselves quickly if you monetize your app or if it meets your sales / conversion goals.
An easy development process
To create an iOS application, the developer must use a Mac. Android apps can be created on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
The validation phase of your app takes one day on the Google Play Store. Plus, you can update it as many times as you want, without suffering long delays in getting back online.
More customization and flexibility
Since Android is open source, it offers a wide range of customization options for app development. You can introduce as many features as you want and provide the best user experience.
An enlarged market
Since Android apps run on more devices than their iOS counterparts, you are targeting a broader market.
With this larger audience, paid apps generate higher profits, while free apps can expect more downloads.
Furthermore, the reason why Android dominates the app market is its compatibility with an infinite number of smartphones. Samsung, Huawei, LG, Xiaomi … There are a plethora of device manufacturers running Android. We can also mention TV manufacturers such as Philips, Toshiba or Panasonic.
To this end, the development of applications for the Google Play Store proves to be a more relevant and above all more profitable option.
13 software to use to build Android applications
To bring your project to life, you need Android app builder software. Okay, we have 13 for you!
To develop an Android app
1. Eclipse
Eclipse is the first software used to create Android applications. Although Google no longer offers support for this IDE, it is still popular with many developers.
It has a separate codebase environment and a set of tools to customize your app. Thanks to modules, you can structure your application or restrict access to the execution of certain functions.
Price: free
2. Android study
AndroidStudio allows you to code, repair and test your app, all in an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Its code manager helps you work quickly and efficiently, with advanced code execution, refactoring and review capabilities. While coding, Android Studio recommends structures suitable for your project, which you can easily integrate by pressing the “Tab” key.
The emulator of this Android application builder software presents and launches your apps faster than a phone. This helps you model and test your features with just a few clicks. You also save time and costs.
Price: free
3. Android SDK
Android SDK is a component of Android Studio with many features for writing, optimizing and testing the code bases of your applications.
The Android SDK allows you to download maps of over 190 countries in over 60 dialects that will be accessible even without an internet connection. Perfect for users traveling in areas with poor network coverage!
You also have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to connect your application to the emulator and run it during module testing.
Price: free
4. IDEA IntelliJ
IntelliJ IDEA is an android application builder software that aims to improve developer productivity. It helps you with code completion, static code analysis, refactoring and self-management of all activities.
IntelliJ IDEA remains a cross-platform IDE, making it easy to develop apps on Windows and macOS machines. Also, it supports various languages like Java, Kotlin and Scala, which you can compile into the JVM bytecode.
Price: 169 € the first year, then 135 € the following year and 101 € for the following years.
5. RAD study
Integrated Development Environment (IDE), RAD study gives you the ability to write, compile, package and distribute Android applications. It supports the entire development cycle and provides a single source code base that can be recompiled and redistributed.
Price upon request.
To create an Android game
6. 3D unit
Android application creation software specializing in high definition game development, 3D unit is ideal if you want to provide an interactive user experience. This tool offers coordinated progress conditions to create 2D and 3D games with impressive rendering and natural texture.
Unity 3D offers the ability to add different social media and website SDKs. This allows you to integrate the multiplayer option into your game.
Price: Free for businesses with less than $ 100,000 in sales per year. Hence, the formulas start at $ 399 / year.
7. GameMaker: Study
If you want to develop your first Android game, Game creator it’s made for you!
The platform provides you with all the essential features to create a 2D game, with very little programming and code. It also has a drag-and-drop interface that allows novice developers to easily code their Android project.
Price: free in limited version. Otherwise, subscriptions start at $ 4.99 per month.
8. Unreal engine
Unreal engine is an open source cross-platform solution for creating high quality interactive games. The software remains popular with game designers due to the Blueprint system which limits the need for coding.
Designers with minimal development or programming experience can use Unreal Engine to create their own interactive experiences.
Price: free
To test your Android application
9.AVD management
Android Virtual Device (AVD) Manager is an emulator offered by Android Studio.
Simulate Android devices on your computer to help you test your app on different Android smartphones and APIs. AVD Manager has all the features of a real Android device.
Here you can simulate phone calls and text messages, specify device location, different network speeds, test screen rotation, access the Google Play Store, and more.
Price: free
10. Base of fire
In addition to being a software for creating Android applications, Fire base offers several kits that developers can use during testing, as well as packages for marketing and advertising.
With these components, you ensure the usability and compatibility of your application.
Price: free
11. Gencluding
Gencluding is an emulator that allows you to view over 3,000 different device scenarios. You can therefore test your Android application in many environments.
Price: $ 412 / year
12. Canary loss
LeakCanary is an open source Java library that makes it easy to detect and fix memory leaks in your application. When a leak occurs, LeakCanary notifies you immediately. You can then monitor and troubleshoot to ensure the user experience.
Price: free
13. Steto
Android debugging tool created by Facebook, Steto is an open source platform. Provides access to a Chrome Developer Tools feature from the desktop browser.
The tool has a network inspection function to preview images, JSON answering aids and export content in HAR format.
Price: free
Our advice
If you’re not sure which Android application builder software to use, it might be why you should entrust this mission to a freelance mobile developer! It can accompany you in the launch of your project and program an app that is consistent with your goals.
Hire a freelance Android developer by posting an ad on Codeur.com.