Best Android App Development Tools You Need to Know

The hallmark of successful Android apps is the use of the best tools for development. The better the tools used, the better the final product will be.

The world is at our fingertips with Android mobile apps. Today, life is incomplete without smartphone access. Android smartphones are ruling the world of the digital market. According to Wikipedia, there are around 75% of Android app users across the world. However, Android app development is challenging due to the large variety of devices, which may lead to compatibility issues. Developers need to use the best Android app development tools to get optimum results.

With the surge in the e-commerce sector, financial technologies, gaming industry, communication, etc. the tendency to build Android apps has increased among business entrepreneurs. Highly efficient Android app design tools are making mobile apps user-retentive. A major boost to the Android industry is tremendously improving the choice of tools and their alignment with the latest updates. This blog will provide a brief understanding of why developers need to be cautious about tool selection and their compatibility with new devices.

IDEs and Code Editors

IDEs and Code Editors are the backbone of efficient Android app development. Here is a list of the best IDE for Android development to ensure ease in the use of Android apps:

1. Android Studio

Android Studio is a prominent integrated development environment for developing an Android mobile application. It is backed by Google and JetBrains for developing seamlessly functional apps. IDE encompass efficient debugging, syntax monitoring, and SDK management.

Here are the key features of Android Studio:

1) Intelligent code editing, refactoring, and analysis of code runtime.

2) Integration of IDE with Git, GitHub, and Bitbucket

3) It supports Kotlin and Java

4) Advanced debugging tools for each layer of app development

5) Seamless integration with Firebase

Android Studio IDEs are primarily helpful in skillfully writing clear code. It simplifies the prospects of Android app development. It tailors the latest features for app performance enhancements and bug fixes. Moreover, when the developer compares Android Studio vs. IntelliJ IDEA, it is evident that Android Studio is specifically designed to support more Android-specific tasks, while IntelliJ IDEA is widely used with numerous programming languages.

2. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is a versatile app development IDE which is supported by JetBrains. It makes the use of JAVA and Kotlin programming languages more productive and efficient. The selection of the best IDE for Android development is complex between Android Studio vs. IntelliJ IDEA. The decision to choose IDE depends on the quality of the app required by the client. IntelliJ IDEA has in-depth knowledge of the code, which will drive smooth navigation and an efficient app experience.

Here are the key features of IntelliJ IDEA:

1) Smart code completion, which helps to avoid syntax errors

2) Wide range of refactoring features which improve the quality of code and maintainability

3) Seamless integration with Git, Subversion, and Mercurial

4) IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful debugging tool which supports breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and variable inspection of code.

IntelliJ IDEA has a wide variety of features, from developing live templates to advanced debugging. The prowess of IntelliJ IDEA aids developers in writing effective code and enhances the viability of the mobile app. The advanced features of IntelliJ IDEA minimize the time spent on repetitive tasks and ease the process of bug fixing. It can be successfully integrated with the Android Studio, thereby enhancing compatibility.

3. Eclipse with ADT plugin

Eclipse with ADT plugin is the original IDE for Android app development. ADT plugin helps integrate Android SDKs with Eclipse to provide Android cross-platform frameworks and eventually boost the efficacy of apps.

Here are the key features of Eclipse with the ADT plugin:

1) Setting up of new Android apps

2) Development of application UI

3) Integration of packages based on Android framework API

4) Debugging of mobile applications with the help of Android SDK

Eclipse with ADT plugin is required for incorporating specific configurations on important projects. It supports a wide array of plugins to maintain and update older Android applications. It updates the existing application without migrating it to newer IDEs. Eclipse with ADT offers a smoother development experience for developers.

4. Visual Studio with Xamarin

Visual Studio with Xamarin is Microsoft’s technology stack for Android cross-platform frameworks. It allows developers to write native Android app code using C#. Around 90% of native code can be used by developers across various platforms. C# is the.NET development framework, which is efficient in terms of performance and user experience.

Here are the key features of Visual Studio with Xamarin:

1) Sharing of a single codebase across multiple platforms

2) Xamarin increases developers’ accessibility by allowing them to use native APIs and features of every platform

3) The collaboration of Visual Studio with Xamarin enables seamless development, testing, and debugging

4) Xamarin allows integration with Microsoft Azure, which will help developers leverage cloud services

Xamarin emerges as the decisive choice of developers to build apps at affordable prices and enable instant development and security features. It is beneficial while developing a mobile app to run on multiple platforms in a time-efficient manner.

Libraries and Frameworks

Libraries are like having a set of cosmic building blocks which are used to create star systems, galaxies, etc. Similarly, a library is a collection of pre-written codebases used for specific purposes. The framework is like exploring a pre-designed galaxy. The galaxy will have its norms, star systems and planetary arrangement helpful to navigate in the cosmic framework. Similarly, frameworks provide options for developers to build and organize code in a streamlined manner. Here are the best libraries for Android and frameworks to streamline the development process.

1. Jetpack Compose

Developers use Jetpack Compose for Android to build native user interfaces with the help of Kotlin programming language. It offers seamless development of UI to increase engagement and retention of the individual.

Here are the main features of Jetpack Compose for Android app development:

1) Declarative Kotlin APIs, which enable developers to elaborate UI based on the required look. It helps to ensure clarity and maintenance.

2) Faster UI updates are a major feature of Android app design tools to optimize performance metrics, update major parts of the UI that are changed, and become more responsive.

3) Improves code efficiency by simplifying complex UI designs. It makes mobile app development faster and free of error.

Jetpack Compose is gaining popularity in the developing sector as it minimizes the repetition of code and provides an intuitive framework for developing the app. The incorporation of Jetpack Compose for Android with Kotlin programming makes development smooth and feasible.

2. Dagger

Dagger is a prominent Dependency Injection framework designed to write clear, testable, and maintainable code. It resolves the problem of changing individual components of the development framework by decoupling certain components and provides a pathway to manage dependencies between them.

Here are the main features of Dagger for Android app development:

1) Dagger build automation for Android apps to ensure efficient dependency management of the codebase.

2) Reduces syntax errors and explicitly defines dependencies, which will improve code readability and testing abilities.

Dagger is ideal for large-scale app development, in which manual management of dependencies becomes difficult. It is useful for mobile applications that require dependency intricacies and a hierarchy that will maintain the clarity of code and its management.

3. Retrofit

Retrofit is one of the best libraries for Android used for networking purposes. It simplifies the process of integrating RESTful web services into the mobile app. It helps to convert the API into a JAVA interface with ease.

Here are the major features of Retrofit:

1) Definition of API endpoints and their responses in a type-safe manner. Moreover, it reduces the risk of runtime errors.

2) It simplifies the networking process of APIs by a smooth transition to JAVA interfaces.

The usability of Retrofit is flexible and streamlined. It is popular among developers due to its ability to handle network complexities efficiently. In addition, its manageable approach and HTTP requests help to maintain clean and structured code.

4. React Native

React native is the Android cross-platform framework for building native mobile applications with innovative technologies. The mobile app is developed using JavaScript and React with a single codebase.

Here are the main features of the React Native framework:

1) Write Once and Run Everywhere is the main feature of React Native, which helps developers use the same codebase for Android and iOS app development. Thereby saving time and efficiency for the developers.

2) React-based infrastructure of mobile apps is efficient and can use reusable UI components.

React Native is the best option for making cross-platform mobile apps. The coherent environment offered by React Native is a popular choice for developers to build high-quality and functionally effective apps.

5. Flutter

Flutter is one of the prominent open-source mobile app development frameworks. It is primarily used by developers due to the availability of a large number of libraries, which are helping them to create an efficient mobile app. Flutter is a cross-platform framework that enables the development of apps for both iOS and Android with a single codebase and maximum functionality.

Here are the main features of the Flutter framework:

1) Delivery of multiple app features on various platforms at a minimum time.

2) The dart programming used by Flutter mobile app developers offers faster development and smooth working of apps on multiple platforms, either iOS or Android

3) Flutter can render high-performing graphics and ensure seamless functionality

Flutter ensures uniformity across different platforms without compromising quality. It is enriched with customizable features, which make the app more interactive and appealing to the users.

Testing Tools

The framework for developing Android app development tools varies from design to testing. Developers create unique and intuitive designs using Android app design tools to identify bugs, verify code, requirements, etc. using Android UI testing tools, which will ensure the quality of the app. Here are some of the major testing tools that enable efficient app development:

1. Espresso

Espresso is a popular Android UI testing tool that tends to write UI tests with ease. User-friendly APIs and automation in UI are enabling seamless testing processes and functional development of apps. Thereby, faster app development and testing are performed in the right way.

2. JUnit

JUnit is an Android app development tool for apps developed using Java programming language. It simplifies the framework of testing Java applications and automated testing. JUnit can conduct testing in various programming languages. Also, JUnit is fundamental to Test-Driven Development (TDD) and helps developers create and run tests to validate unit codes. Hence, it contributes to the wide adaptability of testing tools.

3. Robolectric

Robolectric is a standard app testing tool for Android for testing on Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Testing is performed inside the sandbox, which eliminates the requirement of emulators for testing unit codes. Swift testing is done through Robolectric and ensures productive development with minimum time.

4. Firebase Test Lab

The Firebase test lab performs cloud-based app testing on a wide range of devices and configurations. The versatility of app testing is checked by the Firebase Test Lab by testing on multiple device configurations and operating system versions. Firebase test lab will verify the stability, functionality, and viability of the Android mobile app.

5. Appium

Appium is a cross-platform test automation tool for Android and iOS mobile applications. It helps automate test cases for native, web, and hybrid applications. Appium is aimed at verifying the functionality, user interface, compatibility, and performance of mobile apps.

6. Robotium

Robotium is an Android UI testing tool for native and hybrid applications. It fosters the framework for functional and system testing, thereby reducing manual testing efforts and time. Robotium is capable of handling multiple Android activities and user interfaces. Hence, it ensures workflow management and viability.

Build and Version Control

Here are the prominent build and version control tools for Android apps:

1. Gradle

Gradle is an open-source building tool that can build various kinds of software. The automation feature of Gradle provides flexibility, dependencies management, and incremental building. Gradle integration with Android Studio offers continuous workflow integrations that enhance the performance and efficiency of the app. Thereby, it builds automation for Android apps in a significant manner.

2. Jenkins

Jenkins is a popular build and version control tool to ensure continuous integration in Android apps. It gets incorporated with Android app development tools and systems that will foster automation in the testing process. Jenkins provides customizable practices to build and deploy highly performant apps.

3. GitHub

GitHub is primarily used for programming and code-sharing. It is the cloud-based Git repository that can ensure version control. It comprises major tools for collaboration, code review, issue tracking, and pull requests. Seamless version control and code development are the main features of GitHub.

Design Tools

App development is incomplete without intuitive UI/UX designs. The design is a magnetizing part of Android app development, which will increase user retention. Here are the main design tools for app development for Android platforms:

1. Adobe XD

Adobe XD is the major Android app design tool which will offer vector-based design. It is primarily used for UI/UX designs for creating interactive interfaces and elements. The main features of Adobe XD are user-friendly design elements, prototype development, and collaborative designs. It aimed at redefining user interfaces and experiences.

2. Figma

Figma is the main app design tool which focuses on building interactive interfaces. The cloud-based collaborative design tool Figma increases accessibility for developers to use various designs from any device. Moreover, it supports a wide variety of plugins to enable seamless integration and design.

3. Sketch

Sketch is used for vector graphic design, which is required for intuitive UI/UX. The reusable design elements are designed using Sketch, which will smooth the design process. It is a popular Android app design tool that enables the creation of a consistent user interface and is the go-to tool for detailed designs.

Conclusion

App development is incomplete without the selection of effective Android app development tools. From Android app design tools to testing tools, critical selection is mandatory to harness the quality and viability of the apps. The app development tools which are chosen embody versatility and capability to work on various devices. Productivity of mobile apps is a byproduct of selecting the right set of Android app development tools. The tools which can work on Android cross-platform frameworks are in high demand due to their efficient performance.

Stuck in the process of selecting the right set of Android app development tools?

Innovatrix Infotech is ready to accompany you in the app development feasibly!!

At Innovatrix Infotech, we use Android app development tools such as Android Studio, Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Firebase, GitHub, etc.

You can reach out to our team of experts for app development via email at contact@innovatrixinfotech.com

Mobile phone: +91-7003215657, +91-6283401341

Rishabh Sethia

Rishabh Sethia is a popular app developer in Kolkata with eight years of experience. Over the years, Rishabh Sethia has worked on multiple projects and enterprises, helping them establish themselves in the digital world. Valuable insights and knowledge of the latest technologies helped Rishabh Sethia build a highly functional app.