13 Android app creation software

Android is more than 2.5 billion users worldwide. Creating a mobile App under this operating system allows you to reach a large share of mobile users. To achieve this, you need an Android application creation software that offers a proper architecture, customization and lifecycle management of your app.

Also make sure it facilitates the integration of your creation with other apps, while ensuring security and performance. The software of your choice should remain scalable and make it easy to update your product.

Why choose Android to create an application?

Android represents more than 72% of the global mobile operating system market and nearly 67% of the French market. By choosing it for your next application, you benefit from several advantages:

Android is open-source

Because it is open-source, you can choose pre-installed applications, modify their design, optimize and then recompile the code and adapt it to a variety of devices.

This allows you to quickly adjust your Android application to new smartphones. A definite advantage when you know that technology evolves very quickly…

Creating an Android application remains inexpensive

Creating an app for Android is about ensuring a quick return on investment. You won’t pay any annual fee, neither for being a developer nor for SDK tools.

With iOS, you have to pay an annual installment of $99. On Android, the payment remains a one-time fee and costs $25.

Major expenses occur during design, including assets, graphics, audio creation, and coding. Other expenses include the costs of advertising your app and App Store Optimization (ASO). Nevertheless, these can quickly pay for themselves if you monetize your app or if it meets your sales/conversion goals.

An easy development process

To build an iOS app, the developer must use a Mac. Android apps can be created on Mac, Windows and Linux.

The validation stage of your app takes one day on the Google Play store. Moreover, you can update it as many times as you want, without suffering from long delays in uploading.

More customization and flexibility

Since Android is open-source, it offers a wide range of customization options for application development. You can introduce all the features you want and offer an optimal user experience.

A larger market

Since Android apps run on a larger number of devices compared to their iOS counterparts, you are targeting a larger market.

With this larger audience, paid apps generate higher profits, while free apps can expect more downloads.

On the other hand, the reason Android dominates the app market is its compatibility with countless smartphones. Samsung, Huawei, LG, Xiaomi… There are a plethora of manufacturers of devices running Android. We can also mention television manufacturers such as Philips, Toshiba or Panasonic.

To this end, the development of applications for the Google Play Store is a more relevant and, above all, more profitable option.

13 software to use for Android application creation

To bring your project to life, you need Android app creation software. That’s good, we have 13 for you!

To develop an Android app

1. Eclipse

Eclipse is the first software used to create Android applications. Even though Google no longer offers support for this IDE, it remains popular with many developers.

It has a separate code base environment and a set of tools to customize your app. With modules you can structure your application or limit the execution of certain functions.

2. Android Studio

Android Studio allows you to edit code, fix and test your app, all in an easy-to-use intuitive interface.

Its code manager helps you work quickly and efficiently, with advanced code execution, refactoring, and review features. As you code, Android Studio recommends suitable structures for your project, which you can easily integrate by pressing the “Tab” key.

The emulator in this Android app creation software presents and launches your apps faster than a phone. This helps you model and test your features in a few clicks. You also save time and cost.

3. Android SDK

Android SDK is a component of Android Studio with many features to write, optimize and test the code bases of your applications.

The Android SDK allows you to download maps of more than 190 countries in over 60 dialects that will be accessible even without an Internet connection. Perfect for users who travel to areas with poor network coverage!

You also have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to connect your application to the emulator and run it while testing the modules.

4. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is an Android application builder that aims to improve developer productivity. It helps you with code completion, static code analysis, refactorings and self-management of all tasks.

IntelliJ IDEA remains a cross-platform IDE, which makes it easy to develop apps on both Windows and macOS machines. In addition, it supports various languages like Java, Kotlin and Scala, which you can compile in the JVM bytecode.

5. RAD Studio

An integrated development environment (IDE), RAD Studio gives you the ability to write, compile, package and deploy Android applications. It supports the entire development lifecycle and provides a single source code base that can be recompiled and redeployed.

To create an Android game

6. Unity 3D

Android application creation software specializing in high-definition game development, Unity 3D is ideal if you want to deliver an interactive experience to users. This tool offers coordinated progress conditions for creating impressive 2D and 3D games with natural structure.

Unity 3D offers the ability to add various social networking and website SDKs. This allows you to integrate the multiplayer option into your game.

7. GameMaker : Studio

If you want to develop your first game for Android, GameMaker is for you!

The platform provides you with all the essential features to create a 2D game, with very little programming and code. It also has a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for novice developers to code their Android project.

8. Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is an open-source, cross-platform solution for creating high-quality interactive games. The software remains popular among game designers because of the Blueprint system that limits the need for coding.

Designers with minimal development or programming experience can use Unreal Engine to create their own interactive experiences.

To test your Android application

9. AVD Manager

Android Virtual Device (AVD) Manager is an emulator offered by Android Studio.

It simulates Android devices on your computer to help you test your app on different smartphones and Android APIs. AVD Manager has all the features of a real Android device.

Here you will be able to simulate phone calls and SMS, specify the location of the device, different network speeds, test screen rotation, access the Google Play Store, etc.

10. Firebase

In addition to being an Android app creation software, Firebase offers several kits that developers can use during testing, as well as packages for marketing and advertising.

With these components, you ensure that your application is user-friendly and compatible.

11. Genymotion

Genymotion is an emulator that allows you to view over 3,000 different device scenarios. You can then test your Android application in many environments.

12. LeakCanary

LeakCanary is an open-source Java library that makes it easy to detect and fix memory leaks in your application. When a leak occurs, LeakCanary informs you immediately. You can then track and fix the problem(s), to ensure the user experience.

13. Stetho

Android debugging tool created by Facebook, Stetho is an open source platform. It provides access to a feature of Chrome Developer Tools of the desktop browser.

The tool includes a network inspection feature for previewing images, JSON response helpers, and exporting content to HAR format.

Our tip for developing your Android application

If you’re not sure which Android app creation software to use, you may need to entrust this mission to a freelance mobile developer! He will be able to accompany you in the launching of your project and program an application consistent with your objectives.