What Is the Most Popular Programming Language for Mobile Apps

The mobile app market is constantly growing, with revenue from the industry continuing to skyrocket, year after year.

In fact, mobile apps are projected to generate over 935 billion in revenue by 2023.

In short, if you're looking to tap into the mobile app market by building your own app, it's always the right time to get started.

But what programming language should you use?

Can you use any language for Android and iOS app development, or is there a "best" language?

In this article, we'll review which language is best to get started in creating your own mobile app and how you can make the right choice for your project.

Mobile App Types
Native App
Hybrid App
Progressive Web App (PWA)
Best Programming Languages for Apps
Java
JavaScript
Swift
Kotlin
How to Choose the Right Programming Language
Practical, Popular, and Prosperous
Ask the Right Questions

Chapter #1: Mobile App Types

Before we dive into the best programming languages to learn for mobile app development, you should first have a basic understanding of native mobile app development, hybrid mobile app development, and progressive web applications (PWA).

Knowing which type of mobile app you're going to be developing is key in finding the right programming language.

1.1 Native App

When you create an app that uses a technology dedicated to one specific platform, like iOS or Android—that's called a native app.

Each operating system has its own language used for coding a native app.

If you're building an iOS native app, for example, you might want to use Objective C or Swift as the programming language.

For Android native app development, you would need to use Java or Kotlin.

Pros of Native App Development

Simpler code base and ecosystem results in faster performance
Functions well offline
Improved user experience due to platform-customized UI/UX components
Better security due to the various layers of protection of the operating system
Longer release cycles
Easier to prevent bugs and tech issues
Not dependant on third-party frameworks and libraries
Faster to build (since it's for one specific platform)

Cons of Native App Development

Takes longer to develop for more than one operating system
Adding new features requires separate codebases
Since native programming languages are specific, you'll need to hire a developer with that skill set

Everything has its pros and cons, and native app development is no different.

So who is this method of development best suited for?

Native app development is a good choice if you're creating an app for one specific platform. It's also a good choice if you want the best user experience by removing unnecessary features.

If you plan on creating a gaming app or an app that has heavy animations, native apps are the way to go since they can handle it due to faster performance.

1.2 Hybrid App

A hybrid app is a mix of native and web apps. It lets developers code in just one language which can be run on multiple operating systems.

You can use more well-known languages and frameworks when building a hybrid application, like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

When building this type of app, you would create your backend codebase which would then be covered in a native shell, allowing you to offer the app for both Android and iOS.

Pros of Hybrid App Development

Easier to develop, especially for multiple platforms
Since you're using the same backend for all variants, there's faster development time
Cheaper to develop for, since you don't need developers specializing in specific languages
Easier maintenance due to hybrid apps being based on web solutions
Having one codebase makes it easier to add new updates and features
Can easily integrate with web-based services

Number of Active Developers Globally

Cons of Hybrid App Development

It'll run slower if you have a complex, feature-heavy app
Relies on the security of your system browser
Having one codebase means the app runs equally on all platforms (instead of being coded to perform for a specific platform)

It's a good idea to go with hybrid app development when you have a simple, content-based project that doesn't involve heavy features and animations, or when you just want to get an MVP off the ground quickly.

1.3 PWA

Progressive web apps run in a web browser but still give users the look and feel of a native application.

So this means you can install the app on your mobile device—it works offline and can even —and you can still use hardware features like your GPS and camera.

Each platform is optimized and there are no limitations to what programming languages you can use.

Pros of PWA App Development

Accessible on various devices and platforms
PWA apps can be found in the browser
Faster loading speed
Ability to function offline
Cheaper to develop
Adapts well to various screen sizes (responsive)
Same look and feel of native apps
No installation process

Cons of PWA App Development

OS and hardware limitations
Hardware integration issues
Weaker performance on iOS
Not much support for iOS devices
Not available in app stores

If you want a low-cost and yet robust e-commerce app, PWA can be a good choice. Since it's accessible on multiple devices and platforms, it'll also result in higher traffic.

PRO TIP: Before jumping on what you think is the most popular mobile app programming language, take time to first think about which of these types of apps you plan on building.

Chapter #2: Best Programming Languages for Apps

When it comes to mobile app development, there isn't really one single "best" programming language, and as mentioned in the previous section, it really depends on what kind of app you're making.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular languages for app development so you can make the best choice.

2.1 Java

Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and it's no wonder why it's a top choice when developing mobile applications.

It's a powerful and robust server-side language and has the most completed open source projects by developers.

While it's possible to develop iOS apps using Java, this language is most often used for Android app development since it's a widely used and well-established language among developers.

It's also flexible and Android already has a number of development tools for it.

2.2 JavaScript

JavaScript has been a long-time programming language favorite among developers, and many will argue that it's the best programming language, period.

It's become even more popular with the rise of frameworks like Vue and React.js that help build front-end UI components.

JavaScript is also a server-side language and it's often a developer's top choice language for a variety of reasons.

Not only is it a great programming language for developers of all skill levels, but it can be run everywhere—on every device and on both the client-side and server-side.

Since it's been around for 25 years, JavaScript has a huge community behind it. You'll find that it has a vast number of plugins and frameworks, making development much easier and streamlined.

React Native is a widely used JavaScript framework that allows for cross-platform mobile app development for iOS and Android.

PRO TIP: Just because a language has been around for a long time doesn't necessarily mean you should use it. JavaScript is still popular and beloved after all these years, with new standards being released all the time.

Make sure the language you choose isn't outdated and on its way to expire.

2.3 Swift

Swift by Apple is a popular programming language and has surpassed Objective C as the preferred language for iOS app development.

It's a developer's favorite for creating iPhone and iPad apps for a wide variety of reasons.

It's a very readable, type-safe language that's also not difficult to code in, unlike other languages, like Objective C.

Swift is also highly interactive, meaning it can work in an interactive environment and you can see the output while you're coding. This also makes it easy to catch coding errors at the coding stage.

Another perk is that Swift is completely free and open source.

2.4 Kotlin

Kotlin is a newer programming language and is a great alternative to Java. It's also the official language for Android app development created by Google, so it's certainly worth learning if you want to create Android apps.

It has native support and it's supported by IDEs like Android Studio and IntelliJ IDEA.

While some will argue that Kotlin is the next Java, keep in mind that it's a newer language that isn't quite there yet, but it's still worth learning since it's being promoted heavily by Google for Android app development.

Chapter #3: How to Choose the Right Programming Language

With so many new languages and frameworks out there, it can be hard to make the right decision when it comes to developing an app.

Remember to keep the three Ps in mind before deciding.

3.1 Practical, Popular, and Prosperous

The programming language should be practical. It should give you ample control over your project without needing too many external resources.

It should be popular. Choosing a language that's popular is important because popularity means you'll have a large community behind it, a wealth of tools, frameworks, and resources to use.

Picking a programming language that's popular is also a good idea because it means you'll be able to find developers skilled in that language much more easily and for a more affordable price.

Selecting a programming language that's more niche and not as widely used will likely result in you paying more for a developer that knows that language.

Objective C, for example is an old and outdated language for iOS. It's also fairly hard to learn and use, and it's only a matter of time before it goes completely extinct.

And finally, the language you choose should be prosperous. It shouldn't just be the language of the hour, but rather one that's foreseen to be used many years down the road.

3.2 Ask the Right Questions

Since you're reading up on the best languages for app development, you're either a new developer looking to learn their first language, or you're already a developer trying to learn something new.

No matter where you stand, here are some questions that will help you decide if you should move forward with a specific programming language for mobile app development.

Are you looking for a language to further your career?
What companies are working with this language?
What kind of ecosystem does this programming language have?
Do you enjoy working with this language?
Does having a large community of support behind a language matter to you?

Answering these questions will help get you on the right path in your mobile app development journey.

PRO TIP: If you're still unsure which language to use, pick one and start using it. This will help give you a feel for the language to see if you like it and want to continue learning it.

Final Thoughts

Every programming language has its pros and cons, and not a single one is perfect.

Picking the right one is all about what kind of app you're trying to build and for what platform.

Knowing these details first will help you narrow down your list so you can make the best choice for your specific app project.

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What's your go-to programming language?

What Is the Most Popular Programming Language for Mobile Apps

Source: https://www.webiotic.com/best-language-for-mobile-app-development-what-you-need-to-know/