Smartphones are everywhere, though mobile app technology has extended far beyond the handheld and onto larger forms like tablets and even desktops. From business to school to leisure, mobile applications have become the place where people interact with their devices, the gateway to the rich knowledge that’s beyond. For businesses, reaching customers through mobile has become increasingly important, and that means getting mobile applications right from the outset.
Best App Development Tools for Beginners
In the past, you had to be a programmer to make an app, which would likely take weeks, months, or even years. Now, however, there are numerous app-building platforms you can use to create an app in minutes. We’ve put together some of our favorites for you here.
Here are some of the most widely used app development tools for beginners.
1. App Development for Kids – MIT App Inventor
The first in the list of app development tools for beginners is MIT App Inventor. It is a web application integrated development environment originally provided by Google and now maintained by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It allows newcomers to computer programming to create application software(apps) for two operating systems (OS): Android, and iOS. It is free and open-source software released under dual licensing.
It uses a graphical user interface (GUI) very similar to the programming languages Scratch (programming language) and the StarLogo, which allows users to drag and drop visual objects to create an application that can run on android devices, while an App-Inventor Companion (The program that allows the app to run and debug on) that works on iOS running devices are still under development.
In creating App Inventor, Google drew upon significant prior research in educational computing, and work done within Google on online development environments.
App Inventor and the other projects are based on and informed by constructionist learning theories, which emphasize that programming can be a vehicle for engaging powerful ideas through active learning.
App Inventor also supports the use of cloud data via an experimental Firebase#Firebase Realtime Database component.
MIT App Inventor is great for beginners! They provide comprehensive step-by-step tutorials. The layout is visual and relies on drag and drop which helps users understand the components needed for an app. It also clearly has features of Android programming in Java which makes the transition to written code for Android easier.
MIT App Inventor combines a “Designer” screen to arrange the layout of your app and a “Code” screen to incorporate functionality. Both use drag-and-drop features. The code is block-based, similar to Scratch.
2. Mobile App Development Tools – Appzio
The next on the list of app development tools for beginners is Appzio. One of the most versatile and easy-to-use app-building tools on the market, Appzio allows beginners to create native applications for both Android and iOS operating systems. This technology doesn’t require any knowledge of coding, which is a major boost for kids that don’t want to get bogged down with too many details. The features included in the Appzio development tool are registration forms, media streaming, and a myriad of monetization possibilities.
The flexibility included in Appzio allows kids to have incredible autonomy over how they want users to experience their product. Whatever kind of app it is that you need to develop, Appzio can help you to do it. With the ability for unlimited updates, a comprehensive how-to guide, and several different price plans, there’s almost no limit to the possibilities with Appzio.
3. Mobile Development Tools – PhoneGap
A technology used for cross-platform mobile app development is referred to as PhoneGap. All the problems which we have seen above can be solved by PhoneGap easily. PhoneGap is an open-source mobile application framework. It allows developers to develop applications using standard web APIs. PhoneGap was developed by Nitobe Software, which is known as Adobe.
For developing cross-platform applications, the developer should have knowledge of web development using HTML CSS, and JavaScript. The rest of the work, like the feel of the app, portability, and look, is maintained by PhoneGap.
PhoneGap allows us to develop applications for the most popular OS like Android IOS Windows and BlackBerry. There is also no need to have expertise in any of the platforms. If we don’t know about programming to code the app from scratch, then it’s not a big deal.
By using PhoneGap, the data contents uploaded on the website convert into various App files automatically.
These are the following reasons which make PhoneGap important to build cross-platform applications:
- You don’t need additional training for development: To develop applications using PhoneGap, there is no need to learn any new programming language. The standard languages and technologies, i.e., HTML CSS, and JavaScript, are used by PhoneGap.
- Allows development for multiple devices: By using standard technology, PhoneGap can work with several devices. The JavaScript APIs are consistent on different platforms.
- Allows you to focus on functionality: By using PhoneGap, you can work with the latest version of the native SDK. There is no need to keep up the SDK individually with each platform.
- Improves collaboration: For achieving the end result, the team members use their strengths in a collaborative manner.
- Easy and Fast deployment: You can quickly deploy our app to the user because more time is saved in developing using PhoneGap.
- Easy sharing of apps: By using the PhoneGap Build, you can share the application as soon as it is developed. You can share the app by sending a link to your family and friends
4. Mobile Application Development Tools – AppGeyser
The fourth on the list of app development tools for beginners is AppGeyser. If you want to just dip your toes into the app development field, then AppGeyser is a good place to start. It’s free, it requires no coding, and it’s easy to use. You’re not going to create the next great app with this one, but you will be able to get something up quickly and easily for Android only that’s based on your website.
The lack of iOS support is of course a big issue, but again it’s a good starting place for children who want to just see what the process looks like before jumping into a more complex and costly version of app development.
The company gains revenue by placing ads within the user-developed applications, so it’s important to note that your app will have ads if you use this development tool. There’s no monetization functionality for the developer, nor is there any inbuilt distribution functionality. AppGeyser is still a good choice for beginners who are just starting out in mobile app development.
It is an Android-only codeless application development platform that lets users create templated mobile apps based on content pulled from web pages. The AppsGeyser tool is easy to use and bundles social sharing, tabs, messaging, and full support for HTML5 enhancements.
- The platform can pull content from web pages, YouTube channels, RSS feeds, and other sources
- Create an app in 3 simple steps and you’ll be ready to monetize it in no time
- Choose your own themes and templates from a wide selection
Key Features:
- 50 different online templates for games, web services, media tools, and social pages
- Simply customize your app with colors and features in under 3 minutes
- No need for an SDK
- Create a limitless amount of apps
- Publish to multiple app stores
- Easy app creation
- Android and iOS are supported
- No need to code your app – they do it for you
5. Best Mobile App Development Tools – Mobilesmith
Kids that need a top-of-the-line, cross-platform development tool will find exactly what they’re looking for with Mobilesmith. No coding is required for development with this platform, and you can feel confident that the end result will be not only polished but also user-friendly.
This company is the top provider of mobile application development for hospitals in the country and has pioneered mobile technology for this industry. Mobilesmith’s apps are award-winning, utilizing the most innovative and effective methods in the industry.
What makes Mobilesmith different is that it works first with the end-user in mind. Mobilesmith works hard to bring technology to the places where it’s most needed and most effective. The truly useful nature of this app developer allows kids to move forward in meaningful ways with mobile technology. The end results are both beautiful and incredibly functional.
6. BuildFire
Last but not least in our list of app development tools for beginners is BuildFire. BuildFire is a cloud-based application development platform that helps children to build mobile apps through custom coding and designing.
Primarily catering to non-technical professionals in media, entertainment, and educational industries, the platform comes with cloud storage and cache facilities for the management of videos, audio, and PDF files.
Features of BuildFire include push notifications, user management, tagging, analytics, plug-in access, service level agreements, and more. The solution allows users to design app dashboards, maintain app securities, gain insights, archive and store data, engage with users and manage web apps and marketplaces. Additionally, its image library tool enables users to upload, crop, and resize high-resolution images and access device-optimized images offline.
BuildFire allows users to create custom plugins and integrate them into mobile applications.
FAQs
What tools do I need to make a mobile app?
There are many app development tools that can be used to develop mobile apps. Many of these tools use drag-and-drop techniques to develop mobile apps. Some of the popular app development tools are MIT App Inventor, Appzio, PhoneGap, AppGeyser, MobileSmith, and Buildfire.
What are the main types of mobile apps?
Nowadays mobile apps are available for almost everything. The main types of mobile apps are Lifestyle Mobile Apps, Social Media Mobile Apps, Utility Mobile Apps, Games/Entertainment Mobile Apps, Productivity Mobile Apps, and News/Information Outlets Mobile Apps.
Conclusion
These were some of the best app development tools For beginners. Learning should always feel passionate and exciting whether you are an adult or a kid. It is just the question of how information and knowledge are explained. So, it is up to your own will to make your child be into technologies from an early age, and avoid the mistakes that could irrevocably change their perception of the IT sphere.
Really helpful resource for kids to nurture their coding skills at a very young age.
I knew many of the Apps this is knowledgible Mobile App Development Tools for Kids