Best Android App Development Frameworks

There is always a battle between Android and IOS. When developing Android and IOS apps, the thing that makes Android app development bad is that developing Android apps takes more time than iOS. But there is a way to combat this. 

With Android app development frameworks, you can create faster android apps quickly. So, stay tuned with us to find the best application frameworks in Android. 

10 Best Android App Development Frameworks For Developers

Here are some of the best Android app development frameworks-

1. Flutter

Flutter
Flutter

Flutter is a free, open-source, cross-platform app development framework developed and maintained by Google. This framework allows developers to develop Android and IOS apps using a single codebase. So, developers need not worry about writing separate codebases for building apps that work across multiple platforms. 

Besides that, Flutter uses Dart programming language, allowing the developers to create fast and responsive mobile apps because there is no space for a JavaScript bridge. 

Moreover, the Flutter framework is the best for Android app development because this framework is growing steadily, and various companies, including Google, Alibaba, and eBay, develop mobile applications through it. 

Google backs the Flutter framework, and not only did Google create this framework, but it also used it for several modules of Google Assistant and for developing Google ads. 

If you are a startup or a firm with limited resources (time and money), choosing Flutter as an Android app development framework is a good fit for you. 

Key features of the Flutter framework are as given below-  

  • Flutter creates cross-platform applications with a single codebase.   
  • It offers a hot reload feature, meaning developers can quickly make changes to the app in real-time without restarting it.
  • Flutter is an open-source framework, meaning developers can contribute to this framework’s development. Moreover, developers can excel in this framework by accessing online tutorials and other stuff on sites like GitHub.  

2. React Native

React Native
React Native

Facebook introduced React native framework in 2015 for creating cross-platform/hybrid apps. With this framework, developers can seamlessly build Android and IOS applications using a single codebase. 

This framework facilitates the faster development and deployment of mobile apps within a short period. A unique specialty of React native framework is that it uses Java, the most used programming language, and most developers are already familiar with it. 

Top brands, including Tesla, Walmart, Bloomberg, Instagram, and Facebook, have used this framework for over a decade. 

Key features of React native framework are: 

  • With React native framework, developers can write code once and use it everywhere, including Android, IOS, and Windows. So, 90% of the code is reused across multiple platforms.  
  • React native framework offers various open-source packages that developers can use.
  • This framework provides native components; developers can use these to create a native-like look and feel for the app.  

3. Ionic

Ionic
Ionic

Ionic is another Android app development framework for cross-platform apps that uses a single codebase, including IOS, Windows, and Android. 

The ionic framework uses Html 5, JavaScript, and CSS3 programming language, making it easier for developers to develop high-quality mobile, desktop, and progressive web apps. 

With this framework, developers can get several UI elements such as list views, filters, forms, action sheets, navigation menus, etc. If you are well versed in HTML 5, JavaScript, and CSS programming, then developing apps through this framework is super easy. 

Key features of the Ionic framework 

  • Developers can write code once and run it on various platforms because of the code reusability feature.  
  • Developers can create robust and elegant designs as the Ionic framework provides several customizable themes and components.
  • This framework provides various plugins for developing applications, including a Cordova plugin which enables developers to access various components and add attractive features to your application.  

4. Xamarin

Xamarin
Xamarin

Microsoft acquired Xamarin framework in 2016 and it has a community of over 1.4 million developers. It is an open-source framework that 15000+ organizations use. It enables the developers to provide native-like performance to the users. 

With this framework, developers can use 90% of business logic across various platforms meaning developers can reuse the existing application code to develop cross-platform apps. 

Key features of Xamarin framework-  

  • Xamarin offers a rich set of APIs to developers for creating high-quality applications.  
  • Developers can create native iOS, Android, and Windows applications using C# programming language.  
  • As Xamarin is equipped with native user interface controls, apps built on this platform provide a similar look and feel, just like apps built on other platforms.  

5. Corona SDK

Corona SDK
Corona SDK

Corona SDK was introduced in 2009, and the prime objective of this framework is to create high-loading applications and games. It is one of the best Android development frameworks enabling developers to create multi-platform apps using a single codebase. 

Developers use web technologies such as Html 5, CSS 3, and JavaScript to work on their app development projects. 

Additionally, it’s used not only for the Android game development framework but also as a general-purpose framework for Android. 

Thus, Corona is a popular Android app development tool because it is a free game development. Furthermore, it is accessible for Mac OS and Windows. 

Key features of Corona framework-  

  • Corona’s built-in library comprises over 1000 plugins  
  • Supports cross-platform app development
  • It facilitates the development of apps 10x faster than any other Android development framework 

6. Adobe PhoneGap

Adobe PhoneGap
Adobe PhoneGap

Nitobi initially introduced PhoneGap, and later Nitobi was acquired by Adobe. Adobe acquired PhoneGap in 2011. 

It is an open-source framework to build cross-platform applications for popular mobile OS, including iOS, Android, blackberry, windows, etc. 

In addition, this framework strives to bridge the gap between native and hybrid apps for mobile devices. Meanwhile, it provides you with the advantage of accessing Native APIs so you can make better use of the camera, geolocation, and other native features. 

PhoneGap saves developers a lot of time and effort as they need not worry about creating separate codebases for each platform. Developers compile a single codebase using web languages such as HTML, CSS 3, and JavaScript. 

Key features of Adobe PhoneGap 

  • It offers cross-platform compatibility by enabling developers to develop mobile apps for platforms such as IOS, Android, Windows, etc.
  • It offers flexibility to developers as the app is built with web technologies such as CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. Thus, making it easier for developers not to learn a new language. 
  • PhoneGap provides developers with a robust support system, speeding up the development process. Besides that, it gives a chance to novice developers to understand the project on the go through beginner guides. 

7. Native Script Android Framework 

Native Script Android Framework
Native Script Android Framework

The native script is an open-source framework allowing developers to build cross-platform and native mobile apps using web technologies, including JavaScript, Angular, Typescript, etc. Using a single codebase, developers can build web and mobile apps. 

This framework is preferred by those developers who want to develop mobile applications within less duration and at a low cost.  

Leading players prefer to use this framework because it offers several benefits to developers, such as appropriate backend support, access to iOS APIs, and cross-platform applications. 

Key features of NativeScript Framework-  

  • Developers can create cross-platform apps using a single codebase  
  • With this framework, developers get 100% direct access to Android and native APIs
  • It provides a set of native UI components that suits each platform’s native look and appearance. 

 8. Framework 7

Framework 7
Framework 7

The newest framework in town for developing Android apps is Framework 7.  

Framework 7 is an open-source framework for developing mobile, desktop, or web apps that offer a native look and feel. Developers already familiar with technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS might not face any trouble using this framework. 

Moreover, this framework has a simple and user-friendly interface, making the development process easy, convenient, and fast. 

Furthermore, Framework 7 provides developers with a wide range of ready-to-use UI components and widgets such as side panels, list views, action sheets, etc. 

If you want to create an app prototype or interactive wireframes, then it should be your go-to option in this case. 

Key features of Framework 7-  

  • Has out of box UI elements  
  • It contains a rich ecosystem of UI plugins, templates, and icons  
  • Its pre-built components help you kickstart your project quickly
  • No licensing costs, free to use  

9. Jquery Mobile

Jquery Mobile
Jquery Mobile

Most developers prefer using this framework because it allows them to write code once and reuse it for various platforms such as Android, IOS, and Windows. 

Developers love developing apps through this framework, as the primary app interface is written in HTML with little to no JavaScript code. Meanwhile, JQuery uses HTML 5-based framework and theme-based roller to create customizable themes for web applications and mobile apps. 

Besides that, JQuery comes in 2 versions – one is a customized framework, and another is a stable version.  

JQuery mobile focuses on the UI side of things without emphasizing hardware. This framework’s exciting benefit is its pre-built customizable UI components. 

Apps built through this framework provide a consistent look and feel. In addition, these apps are much slower than other cross-platform frameworks. 

Key features of JQuery Mobile-  

  • It is lightweight when compared to other Android app development frameworks. Also, it employs minimal image dependencies. 
  • Its built-in theme roller tool uses drag-and-drop components to edit your UI components and other attributes.
  • This framework is simple; developers can build their application interfaces in HTML with little to no JavaScript code.

Read Also- Top 10 Tools For Android App Development

10. AppBuilder 

AppBuilder lets you create apps for iOS, Android, iPad, iPhone, and HTML web pages. This framework allows developers to develop a custom app with just a few lines of code as it is developed keeping in mind the non-technical professionals. 

Besides that, it consists of pre-built components that you can use, such as list views, buttons, sliders, and much more. 

It is considered the top Android app development framework because you don’t have to write a single code, and you can create faster apps. 

Moreover, it’s a great option for small and medium-sized businesses to start their app development journey much faster. 

Key features of AppBuilder-  

  • It simplifies the development process using drag-and-drop components
  • It has ready-to-use built-in components to develop your custom app  
  • AppBuilder offers seamless integration with third-party apps  

To Sum Up

Which framework is best for Android app development in 2023? So, if you need clarification and are looking for a perfect solution to start your Android app development project, you should know what works best for you and what’s not. 

The mentioned above Android app development frameworks are a viable option for you. But you need to choose a platform after assessing its capabilities, and at the same time, it should align with your business goals. 

If you still need to decide which framework is best for you, consider taking help from the Android app development company to simplify your life. 

At BigOhTech, our Android app development professionals have 10+ years of experience in developing customized Android apps at an affordable cost. 

So, let’s not worry. And head over to the contact us section on our website to discuss your next app development project. 

FAQs

Q1. Which is the most used Android studio framework?

PhoneGap is the most used Android studio framework because it is an open-source framework for developing cross-platform apps with the help of various technologies such as CSS3, JavaScript, and HTML 5.

Q2. Why do we use frameworks in Android?

The prime motto of using the Android app development framework is to enhance the performance of Android apps and allow developers to create faster apps.  
Moreover, developers get a chance to identify critical issues in an app throughout the development process.

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