15 Best Programming Languages for Mobile App Development

Quick Summary 

As a mobile app developer, you will need to conduct research to find the best app development language, including understanding what programming language for app development suits your needs, whether you are looking for a job, want to develop an app for a specific platform, or want to keep your options as open as possible. There were only two ways to create a mobile app years ago: one code for iOS apps and one code for Android apps.

However, today’s developers have far more options for creating apps. Here in this blog, you can explore some of the top programming languages for app development. This guide will assist you in comprehending the most widely used programming languages and frameworks for mobile app development. This data can help you decide which language to learn and invest in for your mobile app with the best programming language for mobile apps.

Types of Mobile Apps

• To select the particular best programming language for app development you need to know the types of mobile apps first. Many developers prefer to use some of the best programming apps to create feature rich applications.

• There are numerous app development languages, making it difficult to select the best one for creating an app. To make things easier for you, we’ve divided app development languages into categories and shared their pros and cons, so you can select the top languages for mobile app development for your app depending on the specific requirements and goals of your project.

1. Native App

• Native app development is done in a language that is natively supported by the operating system of mobile devices (for instance, native iOS app vs. native Android app). This is used when developing an app for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. If you have doubts about the best coding language for app development, including which programming language is used for developing native iOS apps, then here you can get the answers.

• This is ideal for apps that require a high level of customization and must use native components of each device. It’s ideal for gaming apps, virtual reality apps, and apps with a lot of graphics. However, with native development, one code will not work on both platforms.

2. Hybrid App

• The best programming language for app development works well with hybrid apps. Hybrid apps are designed for cross-platform use. These are written in a single language and can run on both iOS and Android.

• This shortens the development cycle because you’ll only have to code everything once instead of twice (once for each OS). When compared to native apps, hybrid apps have less flexibility in terms of what they can do. However, the vast majority of developers are content with this.

• The distinction between native and hybrid apps is the most frequently discussed topic when discussing mobile application development languages. This has long been a source of contention among developers.

3. Progressive Web App

• A progressive web app (PWA) is a lightweight app that runs in a device’s web browser’s URL. It has the appearance and feel of a mobile app, but it is not delivered natively on the device.

• PWAs can be easily created by web developers with prior experience. You should be familiar with the coding languages that will be used during the development process. As a result, there is less of a learning curve. However, these apps will be more limited in their ability to use native device components.

Programming Languages for iOS App Development

Find the best language for app development in iOS below:

1. Swift

• Amongst all the app development languages, Swift is noteworthy. Swift is considered the main iOS programming language to create different types of iOS apps. Swift is an Apple Inc. mobile application development language that allows apps to run on various platforms such as macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It has a variety of features, including a quick coding style, secure data storage, and simple syntax.

• Furthermore, Swift programming is interactive, and the syntax is very short, making this language safer by design. It removes unsafe code automatically, resulting in a highly secure coding environment. As one of the best languages for mobile app development, you can also rely on Xcode for the best-integrated development environment.

2. Objective-C

• Apple created Objective-C as an object-oriented programming language to support apps on its platforms. It employs C syntax and Smalltalk-style messaging to provide flexible and simple solutions to programming problems. It is a mature and up-to-date programming language that was created in 1984. That isn’t all. It’s more stable than Swift and works well with C and C++ libraries.

3. C++

• Objective-C makes iOS app development much easier with C++. C++ is an extension of the C programming language. It is recommended because you have a great deal of control over how much system resources and memory you use.
  
• It is both powerful and flexible, making it ideal for operating systems, browsers, and game development. Rich libraries, fast development, and dynamic memory allocation are just a few of the features that make it one of the best choices for app development.

4. Python

• Python is simple to learn, even if you are a beginner programmer. It is probably the best language for app development. It is an open-source programming language, which means it can be freely used and shared. It also allows you to code programs in fewer lines than in other languages.
  
• Python programming will allow you to work faster and more effectively integrate your systems while requiring less maintenance. As a result, it is one of the most widely used server-side scripting languages.

5. HTML5

• HTML5 is the most popular markup language and the most recent evolution of HTML. This aids in the organization and presentation of content on the internet. It is not only easier to learn due to cleaner and improved code, but it also includes well-designed forms and ensures better accessibility.

• If you intend to create location-based apps, this could be a good option. Its latest features, such as media elements, multi-platform functionality, and agile market deployment, aid in the efficient management of the app development process.

6. Flutter

• It is an open-source SDK for developing iOS apps with the Dart programming language. Flutter is one of the most used programming languages for app development by developers. Flutter is recommended because it fully supports native features. It also has the capability of hot reloading.

• This means that any changes you make to the code will be reflected within seconds of loading it. It is an excellent choice for developing iOS apps due to features such as reduced development time and rapid time-to-market. Also, check out the benefits of flutter app Development.

Programming Languages for Android App Development

For android programming language, below find the mobile app development languages:

1. Java

• Are you wondering which programming language is used for android application development then Java is a safe option for you. Since the official launch of Android in 2008, Java has been the default development language for creating Android apps. This object-oriented language was first developed in 1995.

• While Java has flaws, it is still the most popular language for Android development because it runs on a virtual machine. Java is a popular object-oriented option for mobile development that is commonly used to create Android apps. The majority of the other Android languages are considered versions or flavours of Java.

2. Kotlin

• Kotlin is comparatively newer among all the app development languages and very popular when it comes to android programming language. It is considered the best language for mobile app development.
  
• Google announced in 2017 that it would begin supporting the Kotlin programming language. It’s a language for Android development that’s different from traditional Java and runs on the Java Virtual Machine. Even though it is a new language, it is very popular.

• Kotlin and Java are interoperable, which means they can share information. Trying to figure out which language is best for app development then Kotlin should be your first choice. Kotlin can access all of your Java libraries. In terms of execution, the Kotlin language is compatible with Java Bytecode. Overall, it is thought to be a neater and cleaner version of Java.

3. XML

• XML is a type of markup language. It simplifies the development of Android apps by describing data and introducing new elements. Specifically, it is beneficial to set the layout buttons and images to define the font, colour, and all of the default texts.

• It also ensures that the encoding documents are in a set that both machines and humans can understand. XML is similar to HTML in that it aids in the storage and transfer of data.

4. C

• C# (pronounced C sharp) is another object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft. It’s a popular programming language for Android operating systems that are used for game development and command-line scripting.

• Other low-code alternatives, such as OutSystems and Kony, have an SDK that can be used with multiple languages, not just one. Other mobile app development languages use system programming languages with syntax similar to C#. The C# code is cross-compiled to run natively on iOS and Android devices using an IDE for hybrid development.

5. C++

• C++ is widely known in the list of mobile app development languages. Objective-C simplifies iOS app development with C++. C++ is a C programming language extension. It is advised because you have complete control over how much system resources and memory you use. It is both powerful and versatile, making it suitable for operating systems, browsers, and game development.

Programming Languages for Hybrid App Development

1. JavaScript

• JavaScript is easily adaptable to a wide range of programming languages. It also works flawlessly in environments other than browsers. This simplifies the control and management of all development processes. You can create effective and interactive apps with JavaScript. This is highly recommended because it is compatible with multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows.

2. HTML & CSS

• HTML and CSS are two fundamental technologies that aid in the development of hybrid apps. HTML will provide the structure, and CSS will handle the layout for various devices. HTML is platform-agnostic and allows you to add images, videos, audios, and hypertext to your text. CSS, on the other hand, allows you to control the colour of the text, font size, spacing, column size, background images, designs, screen size, and other effects.

3. Lua

• Lua is the quickest and easiest language to learn. If you want to increase the app’s speed, Lua is the best option. Lua can be used for a wide range of applications, from gaming to web development. Lua is a lightweight and embeddable scripting language that helps secure real-time messages and analytics dashboards, as well as make file sharing and conference calls simple.

4. Dart

• Dart is a programming language designed for clients. It is a simple and efficient mobile app development language that allows apps to run across multiple platforms. Dart is very flexible in the sense that you can write code that can run anywhere without any significant limitations.

• Dart is a garbage-collected, open-source language with C-style syntax. It can be compiled with either native code or JavaScript and includes Flutter, a mobile app development framework.

Also Check: How to Hire an App Developer for your Project in 2024

Conclusion

We discussed each language’s advantages and disadvantages to help you know the best programming language for mobile apps. You can now select the best programming language for your project based on factors such as app type, a platform to develop on, and more. You can get in touch with a Mobile Development Company that can deliver feature-rich applications for your business with the best user interfaces. In any case, if you have any problems learning these programming languages or selecting the best language for your project, please contact Tagline. Please share your project specifications with us, and we will assist you further in hiring the best professionals.

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