15 Free Mobile App Development Tools For Beginners | All You Need to Know

Having to write codes from top to bottom for every mobile app is worrisome and tasking. The use of free mobile app development tools makes the process simple and less tedious.

With over 5 million apps across Android, iOS, and Windows platforms, app developers are pleased to have free mobile app development tools in the foray.

As technology continues to develop with the increasing availability of augmentation and machine-learning options to provide additional layers of information and communications into digital services, app development has seen a wild upsurge in recent times.

In this context, it gets more valuable to understand why there are free mobile app development tools for beginners in the market.

This article includes a detailed outline of a wide range of free mobile app development tools to help you build an app of your choice.

What Are Mobile App Development Tools?

Mobile app development tools are designed to assist in the creation of mobile applications of all kinds. They are of two types, native mobile development tools, and cross-platform mobile development tools.

Native mobile development tools can help you create specialized apps that operate with ease and high quality and can take advantage of all features on their designated platform.

Cross-platform mobile development tools, on the other hand, make it possible to create a generic app for multiple platforms simultaneously, greatly cutting the costs and time needed to create an app, but this comes with a trade-off.

Can I Use Free Mobile App Development Tools As A Beginner?

Of course, yes. This is simplification at its peak. For beginners, the use of free mobile app development tools makes the process of app development seamless, as you get support from each and every app development tool.

15 Free Mobile App Development Tools For Beginners

Our list of free mobile app development tools for beginners was carefully selected and listed randomly in no particular order.

#1 Appy Pie

Appy Pie is a mobile app development tool that allows you to develop your own apps without having to do any coding. There are a number of options and tools provided that are easy to use to create the app that you need.

The process is relatively simple and involves selecting a design and personalizing it, adding the features that you need, then publishing to Google Play and the Apple AppStore.

The interface used is a simple drag-and-drop system that allows you to add features such as chatbots, AI, augmented or virtual reality. To help with development, a learning platform and suite of training videos are provided to help guide you.

The app you create can be for almost any business need, such as for a small business, restaurant, real estate, or even a radio app.

Appy Pie has business solutions for all scales and budgets. Having established itself as an uncontested leader in the field of mobile app development, the platform has expanded its scope with multiple equally easy-to-use products.

Once you’ve developed your app, there are options to distribute it to the Google Play and Apple App stores.

Features

  • Automation
  • Chatbot integration
  • AI integration
  • Training and support
  • Drag and drop editor

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#2 Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a low-code mobile app development tool that allows users to create custom applications on their own, with minimal coding experience. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface empowers developers and business users to build web and mobile applications that satisfy all their unique requirements with ease.

The software is for businesses looking to simplify and automate tasks, such as creating apps for functions such as sales management, order management, event management, logistics, or recruitment tracking, for example.

On Zoho, you can build multiplatform applications ranging from simple call logs to complex ERPs that integrate with your existing process.

However, whatever you’re looking to do, you can entirely customize it the way you want. Zoho Creator includes a drag-and-drop editor to help build you app from within a single dashboard.

While initially targeted at businesses looking to develop apps for specific needs within their company, Zoho Creator can also be used to develop apps for the wider market. 

Even better, you can integrate data from other apps, increasing its usability. Potential integrations include other Zoho apps, Paypal, Twilio, Google Workspace, and Quickbooks.

Features

  • Automation
  • AI integration
  • Collaboration

#3 AppSheet

AppSheet is another mobile app development tool that allows you to create bespoke apps for your business without having to write with or develop code.

Driven by your own cloud-hosted data in spreadsheet format, you can then select a template to work around the options and features you want, before deploying your app.

It’s easy to integrate data from multiple sources, not least from Google Sheets and Forms, Excel from Microsoft 365, or even SalesForce. Alternatively, you can import spreadsheets saved on Dropbox or OneDrive, or directly from MySQL or SQL Server. 

On top of these, you can add features such as GPS and maps, image capture, code scanning, signature capture, charts, and email notifications.

There’s no charge for developing your app, or time limit, and up to ten users can be involved in the process. Once deployed, pricing is according to per active user per month.

Features

  • Spreadsheet inputs
  • Responsive design
  • App customization
  • Conditional formatting
  • GPS and maps
  • App deployment
  • Multi-platform support
  • Data integration

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#4 Buddy

Buddy allows for seamless, change-set-based deployments during mobile app development. Through the use of its pre-configured actions and services, it makes app deployment automation much easier.

So, if you are looking for a tool that will build, test, sign, and publish your Android app effortlessly, Buddy is a perfect choice

Features

  • Over 100+ actions
  • Intuitive and clean UI/UX
  • Dedicated Android actions: React Native, Ionic, Flutter and more
  • AWS, Google, DigitalOcean, Azure, WordPress integrations
  • Support for all popular languages and task managers

#5 Appian

Appian helps organizations build apps and workflows rapidly with a low-code automation platform. Combining people, technologies, and data in a single workflow, Appian can help companies maximize their resources and improve business results.

Many of the world’s largest organizations use Appian applications to improve customer experience, achieve operational excellence, and simplify global risk management and compliance.

The main focus of Appian’s app development software is enterprise apps for businesses to optimize processes using automotive processes and AI in order to present company data in useful and meaningful ways. 

Additionally, by orchestrating data from multiple sources, information can be unified to provide real opportunities for insights on everything from management processes to workflows to operations.

Once completed, the design can be saved as a web app or native app for Android and iOS as required. Further changes can be made on the fly without causing downtime.

Features

  • Automation
  • Visual editor
  • Collaboration
  • Automatic notification
  • Integration designer
  • Case engagement

#6 Kobiton

Next on our list of mobile app development tools is Kobiton. Kobiton enables continuous testing and mobile/IoT development a reality.

It also prevents bugs before pushing code to test, perfect your mobile app or website with Functional, Performance, and Visual test automation, resolve issues before releasing to production, and rapidly deploy and kick off tests with seamless CI/CD integrations to give your mobile app a shot of awesome.

Features

  • Real-Device testing
  • Device lab management
  • Scriptless automation
  • Flexible test cloud
  • Optimized efficiency
  • Rich test logs

#7 Jamf

Jamf is a tool that enables you to connect, manage and protect apple mobile apps, products, and corporate resources in the cloud without having to touch a device.

The mobile app device for Apple products is of three levels; jamf Pro, jamf Now and jamf School, jamf Connect, and jamf Protect

Features

  • Allows you to configure Wi-Fi and email contracts calendar with no hassle.
  • This solution makes patch management of iOS, and iPadOS, and macOS.
  • Allows you to configure VPN with your custom profiles.
  • Offers support by Email and chat.

#8 Appery.io

Appery is an established app development provider, offering its app builder platform for enterprises to create their own apps. Creating an app is as easy as using a drag-and-drop interface, and selecting data sources as well as using HTML 5 and Javascript as required.

The aim is to jump-start app development for a faster and cheaper development process. The process can take as little as a week during which time Appery will set up installation, configuration, integration, testing, and training for its completion.

In addition to increased turnaround time, Appery also allows for a focus on extensibility so that the same apps can be modified easily and without requiring significant development time.

Built on an open platform, Appery allows for multiple apps to be developed from the same base according to needs in order to reduce the need for replication in evolving apps.

By also ensuring that configurations can be changed rather than be dependent on pre-existing settings, it allows for the flexible development of apps according to enterprise needs.

There are no flat fees advertised at Appery, so you will need to contact the company for more information on a quote.

Features

  • Database
  • Server code
  • Secure proxy
  • API express
  • Push notification

#9 React Native

Developed by the Facebook community, React Native is a cross-platform framework based on JavaScript technology. It enables developers to build enhanced and native-like apps using a single code base. The aim of this framework is to build first-rate native application experiences using JavaScript and React. 

React Native enables the fast development, and deployment processes of mobile app development.

Apps like Instagram, tesla, Airbnb, skype, and amazon prime videos are developed using React native.

Features

  • Impeccable performance
  • Reusable components
  • Integration with third-party plugins

#10 Framework7

Framework7 is a mobile app development tool that enables developers to build Android, Ios, and desktop apps with a native look and feel.

It is easy to use and learn. All you need to get started is proficiency in HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Framework7 also provides additional support for Vue.js, React Native, and Svelte. A very attractive feature of Framework7 is the stunning set of UI elements that it provides. These include features like popups, action sheets, list views, layout grid, side panels, and several other most-used ones.

Features

  • A rich ecosystem with icons, plugins, and templates
  • Also makes a great prototyping tool
  • Easy to customize and maintain

#11 Flutter

Flutter is an amazing choice for mobile app development. By employing a 2D graphics library called skia, the visual aspects of mobile apps get elevated to higher levels.

Unlike other mobile app tools, Flutter codes are written in dart language and can be reused for upcoming tasks as well.

Features

  • Faster development
  • Cross-platform
  • Attractive and interactive visuals
  • Native like performance

#12 Alpha Anywhere

Alpha Anywhere is a database-oriented, rapid app development tool that can create web and hybrid mobile apps that even work offline. It does this by helping developers create the client and back-end elements in parallel.

Alpha Anywhere has its own database engine but also includes drivers for back ends, including Microsoft SQL Server, Access, Excel, MySQL, Oracle, and DB2. For SQL databases, you can let its SQL Genie generate the code for CRUD operations or dive in and edit the SQL statement yourself.

Alpha’s support for offline operation in HTML5 mobile apps simplifies the development of data conflict resolution logic, so it’s not just a case of last in wins.

Alpha Anywhere from Alpha Software costs $995 per year for a dev-only environment or $4,995 per year for a basic self-hosted build-and-deploy system.

Features

  • Comprehensive Back-End Data Access.
  • Server-Side Language of Your Choice.
  • Sophisticated Data Integration and Data Transformation.
  • Robust Mobile App Security.
  • Built-in Security Framework.
  • Fully Integrated Login/Logout Component.
  • Data Encryption with HMAC and SSL Support

#13 EachScape

EachScape is a unified, cloud-based, drag-and-drop editor for native iOS and Android apps, as well as HTML5 web apps. That might seem like an odd combination, but it works well. In addition, EachScape includes mobile back-end services for apps you build with its platform, Web preview for all apps, and online build service.

The architecture that allows EachScape to build iOS, Android, and HTML5 apps from a drag-and-drop editor (the Cloud Studio) depends on blocks and modules, as well as layouts and actions.

Under the hood, EachScape has implemented a set of classes in Objective-C and Swift for iOS, Java for Android, and JavaScript for web apps that correspond to ads, buttons, containers, controls, data connectors, data input, HTML, images, maps, media, navigation, placeholders, RESTful remote queries, social networks, and text.

Advanced developers can build new blocks and modules for EachScape to extend its capabilities, using its SDKs.

EachScape is free to start, but costs are based on usage when you are ready to publish.

Features

  • Own your source code
  • Drag & Drop
  • Push Notification Manager
  • Enterprise platform
  • Data manager
  • Cloud CMS

#14 MATS BPM

MATS is a low-code BPM app builder with a rapid drag-and-drop design environment. It has strong process modeling and automation capabilities, as well as UI and form designers that produce responsive user experiences.

It can also produce mobile apps for iOS and Android, do real-time reporting and analytics, and integrate with legacy systems and services such as Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, Salesforce, and SAP. MATS can be deployed in a secure cloud or on-premises.

MatsSoft offers MATS BPM for a variable cost based on users, usage, or reward sharing, or at a flat, negotiated rate for usage across the enterprise.

Features

  • Powerful Administrator Features. …
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) …
  • Integration with Existing Software Systems. …
  • Reports and Analytics. …
  • Performance for Large User Bases. …
  • Process Performance Metrics. …
  • Collaboration.

#15 LongRange

LongRange is a native mobile app development tool. It is comprised of components like navigation, tabs, form views, and commands, and it requires an installation of the LongRange service.

Features:

  • It executes as a native app very fast and with rock-solid reliability
  • Build native mobile apps using only RPG/ CL with DDS
  • It provides the infrastructure for the application.
  • Develop with only current level of programming expertise
  • Develop without the need for any JavaScript, HTML, or CSS knowledge.
  • Need to write once and deploy to Apple and Android mobile devices
  • Utilize mobile device features like GPS, camera, audio, SMS, etc.
  • Automatically push app updates to the mobile devices.
  • Reduce the cost of maintaining and extending mobile apps

Conclusion

Choosing mobile app development tools from a plethora of options available in the market is tough, only when you are not fully aware of your requirements and the key features of each app development tool.

So, before you venture out to seek the best mobile application development tool for your project, create a set of your requirements and compare it with the features of the tools.

References

  • mopinion.com – Top 20 Mobile Development Tools: An Overview
  • medium.com – Top 25 Mobile App Development Tools with Its Key Feature

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