Which Language Is Best for Mobile App Development in 2024?

Introduction

The advancement in the field of Information Technology has brought along numerous options for modern-day software engineers. They are able to create native platforms for their apps. They have the option of concentrating on hybrid or cross-platform languages. 

But do you know that there is no best programming language for mobile apps in 2024? Why?

It is because the choice of language depends entirely on the apps’ objectives. This implies that before deciding on an app development language, you must first determine your objectives. Whether you’re seeking a job, want to build an app for a certain platform, or want to leave your choices open as much as possible as a mobile app developer, you’ll need to evaluate all of these variables to choose the ideal app development language.

So, which programming language is best for app development?

There are three major techniques for software developers to construct an app. While Swift is the programming language used by iOS developers, Kotlin is an Android programming language used by Android developers. Again, those who want to make cross-platform apps can utilize Java or React, among other things.

Every mobile app developer has the option of developing a native, hybrid, or dynamic web app using these options. Native apps are designed to work on a single platform, most commonly iOS or Android. For iOS, they use Swift or Objective C to develop these apps. They employ C++, Kotlin, and a variety of other languages to develop Android. To build hybrid apps, programmers employ languages like JavaScript. Establishing the backend and then skinning the program for iOS and Android is the first step in hybrid development.

Best Programming Languages for Mobile Apps in 2024

Swift

It is the best programming language for app development for Apple devices. It was originally designed as the follow-up to Objective-C and has been extensively used since 2014. It includes current capabilities for client and server development with a syntax that is based on Objective-C, although it makes several modifications to the language’s original Concepts.

Pros: 

• Usable on the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch platform
• Requires very little maintenance and has fewer bugs than Objective-C
• Makes the projects scalable
• Easy to learn, powerful, and intuitive
• Interactive writing code with concise syntax
• Multiple functionalities and a reliable design for fast production of efficient software

Cons:

• Stuck at Nascent stage making it less reliable for development of heavy apps
• Unstable and requires regular updates

JAVA

If you are thinking about which language is used for Android app development most widely, this is it! Java is Object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows you to create with a variety of built-in open-source libraries. It is simple to use and provides the greatest documentation and community support. You can create the greatest cross-platform apps, Android apps, games, server apps, embedded space, websites, and more with JAVA’s diverse set of capabilities.

Pros:

• Well-known for its reusability and portability of code.
• It can operate in a variety of settings, including virtual machines, browsers, and platforms.
• Explicit API streamlined, and machine-independent programming language 
• Protects developers from inherent difficulties in native code, such as memory leaks, etc.

Cons:

• Some errors may arise while using JAVA in a virtual machine – JVM 
• Poorly framed class libraries and complicated syntax in a certain class
• Complex integration due to garbage collection issues

JavaScript

JavaScript is the best programming language for mobile apps, cross-platform mobile app development, and online surfing. It operates nicely in settings other than browsers and may be compiled using a variety of computer languages. As a result, JavaScript gets my vote for the finest computer language. 

Pros:

• A versatile and flexible language that may be utilized in a variety of ways of Node.js
• Faster Client-side browsing without any need for compilation.
• Simple to operate and maintain control over.
• No established standard, and there is a lot of leeway for creativity.

Cons:

• It’s insecure, and it may be utilised for evil reasons in some cases.
• In rare circumstances, you may run across browser support troubles.
• Client-side scripts are a little riskier than server-side scripts.

Kotlin

Kotlin, dubbed the “improved version of Java,” is a dynamically typed programming language making it the best language for app development for Android devices. It has the ability to impact other programming languages, such as JAVA, in order to create high-performance and reliable programs. Trello, Evernote, Coursera, and a slew of other famous apps have Kotlin support.

Pros:

• Clear, simple, and observant syntax boosts team productivity.
• Interoperable and adaptable, overcoming JAVA
• Includes Android and SDK toolkit installation packages, as well as complete Google and IDE compatibility.
• It creates code that is succinct, direct, and cleaner when compared to JAVA.

Cons: 

• New in the market and difficult to learn
• Little sluggish at times.
• Only a finite number of learning resources are available

C++

C++ is a well-known programming language for app development. It is an object-oriented language with low-level memory manipulation capabilities. C++ is a programming language that is used to create games, GUI-based programs, real-time mathematical simulations, banking software, and other applications. Because it can easily adapt to changing hardware or ecosystems, C++ is also popular among Cloud computing programs.

Pros:

• Efficient and stable, with a large number of pre-built libraries and compilers.
• Makes it easier to learn JAVA, C, and C#
• In the backdrop, there is no waste collector.
• You have complete control over the software, which may operate on any platform and utilize any hardware.

Cons: 

• The syntax is difficult to understand, and the standard library is small.
• It is difficult to learn.
• Garbage collection and dynamic memory allocation are not supported.
• In comparison to other languages, object orientation is quite important.

Python

Python is a programming language for android app development for creating online applications, desktop programs, video tools, machine learning, network servers, and other applications. It has excellent library support, comprehensive integration, and better control capabilities making it an ideal language to construct an app.

Pros:

• Fast, simple-to-use, quick-to-deploy, simple-to-learn, and extremely readable.
• Perfect match for analyzing, calculating scientific and numerical data, and developing applications.
• Supports GUI applications and is used to create scalable software.
• Multiple systems and platforms are supported.
• Has a large number of frameworks that make programming more versatile.

Cons:

• Execution time is slow.
• Not a perfect match for current mobile application development
• Not an ideal choice for memory-intensive tasks
• Issues with data access.

Also Read: How Much Android App Developers Cost in 2023

PHP

For mobile apps that require database access, PHP is one of the most best programming languages for app development. It is an open-source programming language for server-side scripting, command-line scripting, and application development. It’s commonly used to create eCommerce apps, content-heavy apps, dynamic web apps, and mobile apps. It’s a versatile language that can simply be included in HTML or HTML5. Wiki, Facebook, and Yahoo are just a handful of the major PHP-based websites.

Pros:

• Simple to learn, platform-agnostic, and extremely compatible with seamless integration.
• Great for apps with a lot of content and loads rapidly even with a sluggish internet connection.
• Security measures built-in to guard against sophisticated security threats
• Enables learners to easily grasp complicated programming concepts.

Cons: 

• The open-source nature of the language uncovers bugs faster to exploit its flaws.
• Not recommended for large-scale applications.
• It’s not modular, and keeping up with it is difficult.
• The framework’s error handling needs to be enhanced.

Where to Hire a Mobile Application Development Team?

Hiring a developer for mobile apps development isn’t essential. Some business owners with programming skills may build their own app, which is made easier by a wide range of free and commercial development tools.

However, on a greater scale, the common issue is that most entrepreneurs either lack computer expertise or are unsure of what they require to create the ideal app. As the scope of the project often necessitates the hiring of more than one individual, even specialists must finally recruit a team. When this happens, it’s evident that you’ll need to employ an app developer.

When it comes to hiring an app developer, you have three options:

In-house Hiring

Contracting an android or iOS app developer as a team member is the most usual choice. If a team already exists, the labor shortages may be filled by having a job interview, selecting the best candidate for the position, and blending him into the office with his co-workers. Whenever it relates to small and medium businesses, employing an in-house app developer is cost-effective.

Freelancer Hiring

Hiring a freelance app developer is getting popular these days. Any company owner can engage a professional online through freelancing platforms like Upwork. The contractual character of the agreement is a key benefit of this option, as it eliminates the need for the owner to pay for paid holidays, welfare benefits, and other perks. Being inexpensive, on the other hand, has its drawbacks since many independent app developers for hire are just unqualified for large projects. As a result, only entrepreneurs with side ventures with a cost of less than $10,000 can pursue this path.

Outsourcing 

Hiring an offshore Top Mobile App Development Company brings the right balance altogether. The proprietor of the company recruits app developers that are solely working on a contract basis. It’s still less expensive than employing an in-house team and the end result is generally better than contracting a single freelancer due to the sheer group environment. Furthermore, choosing an outsourcing business is totally scalable, which means you may scale up or down the size of the team to meet the specific demands of the project, therefore saving money. It’s the most effective choice for businesses that have progressed beyond the introductory phase and are preparing to make a significant market impact.

Also Read: How to Hire an iOS Developer: the Complete Guide

Conclusion

In the realm of programming languages, things are always changing. With such a questionnaire to ask, aspects to note, and the pros and drawbacks given above, we’re certain you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which language to learn. After all, choosing the correct mobile programming language will help you create flexible mobile apps that can adapt to changing business demands in the future.

What do you have to lose? 

Dig into the subtleties of programming languages, pick the finest, and provide your company with the most-needed mobile app to attract a larger audience.