Mobile Application Development Platforms (MADP) have become a must in the business world, with practically every organization looking to add an app to their existing site, and entrepreneurs looking to bring their mobile application visions to life. What once required thousands of dollars, a vast knowledge of coding and a whole lot of time can now be done simply and cost-effectively with a mobile app development platform. So if you thought you knew who’s out there when it comes to cross-platform development, think again! Here are 2018’s top 15 mobile app development platforms. Now all that’s left for you to do is take your pick.
Mobile Roadie
Launched in 2009, Mobile Roadie is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to create and manage their own iOS or Android app. The app development platform offers mobile marketing services as well as app creation tools and supports all media types, from music and events to sports and education. The platform which is now owned by Intellectsoft, an award-winning software services provider, has been used to create more than 500 apps that have been downloaded by over 50 million users. Among its wide range of clients, you’ll find Taylor Swift, Adele, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dallas Mavericks, Universal Pictures, and the San Diego Zoo t as well as many others.
Pricing: The Core Plan starts at $49. For more information click here.
Unity
You can’t talk about mobile app development platforms and not mention Unity. The company’s cross-platform game engine is used to develop video games for PC, consoles, mobile devices, and websites. With free tutorials, online training, course-ware, and product documentation, the community of Unity will help you build the perfect app for your game. Check out the Asset Store for ready-made assets and production tools.
Pricing: Plans start for free and go up to the Enterprise level, which requires you to contact the company to get a quote.
Corona Labs
Another great mobile app development platform for both games and apps is Corona Lab. The platform offers users a full instruction document in order to help them use it properly, so even if you’re not a top developer you’ll be able to figure this one out. However, if you do happen to be a professional programmer the platform will suit you as well. The platform enables you to create your game or app once and publish it to multiple types of devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire, Windows, Mac desktops, and more.
Pricing: Plans start for free.
Appy Pie
According to Appy Pie, creating an app as simple as pie. The cloud-based DIY mobile creation tool enables users who have no programming and coding skills to create a Windows, Android or iOS app, and publish it on Google Play or iTunes. Simply drag pages to create your own app online. You’ll be able to send push notifications, see live analytics, monetize with ads, and track location with GPS. You can also create an appointment app if you happen to want to create an app for a doctor, salon or spa.
Pricing: Plans start for free and go up to $50.
Xamarin
With over 1.4 million developers and 15,000 companies using Xamarin, the mobile app development platform enables users around the world to produce native iOS, Windows and Android apps using a single shared C# code base. The platform offers a modern programming language with powerful tools and an ability to deploy your created app across multiple mobile eco-systems.
Pricing: Plans starts with a free trial. Further pricing available upon request.
Appery.io
Appery.io is a development and deployment cloud-based mobile app builder that can be used to create apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The platform combines integration middleware with a browser-based rapid development environment and mobile backend services to accelerate enterprise mobilization. Since the builder runs in the cloud, there’s nothing to install or download, and you can add powerful functionalities with the Appery plugin catalog, or create your own custom private plugins. Appery.io was recently selected as a Red Herring top 100 global winner.
Pricing: Plans start with a free trial. For more info, click here.
TheAppBuilder
If you’re looking for a mobile app development platform that will be specifically developed for your corporation or corporate event, TheAppBuilder is exactly what you need. The platform is uniquely tailored to suit specific organizations as well as corporate events, creating what is known as “enterprise apps” for iOS, Android, and Windows.
Pricing: Pricing available upon request.
PhoneGap
If you’re a developer who understands a thing or two about code, PhoneGap is the mobile app development platform for you. The Adoba-owned tool is based on the open source Apache Cordova project and is completely free to use. Developers will be able to write apps in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and deploy it across different mobile devices without losing the native app features. PhoneGap supports multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone and webOS with a single codebase. Sign-up to use it here and follow the simple instructions to get your app going.
Pricing: Plans are Free!
RedHat
What first started out as a company named FeedHenry has since been acquired by the software company RedHat for around 64 million euros. RedHat Mobile Application Platform enables clients to develop and deploy mobile apps in a hassle-free way. The company offers open technologies and a useful toolkit allowing users to gain control over security and policy management.
Pricing: Pricing available upon request.
Good Barber
Good Barber works similarly to website creating platforms, enabling users who don’t understand code to build and design a beautiful app that will work with iPhone and Android. The platform offers hundreds of Google Fonts as well as beautiful icons you can use to customize your app. You can organize your app by adding video, photo, sound and more sections to it.
Pricing: Plans start at €16 per month and go up to €48.
Cocos2d-x
As a cross-platform, game development tool, Cocos2d-x is a platform that is only suitable for developers who know what they’re doing. The platform can be used to build games, apps and other cross-platform GUI based interactive programs. Cocos2d-x allows developers to exploit their existing C++, Lua and Javascript knowledge for cross-platform deployment into iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mac OS X, Windows Desktop and Linux, saving time, effort and cost.
Pricing: You can simply download the program onto your computer.
Building a successful and coherent app for your business can be tricky and time-consuming. However, the latter mobile app development platforms we’ve presented you with will definitely make your life and that of your company’s a whole lot easier. Consider the one that best suits you and your technical abilities and start building the app you’ve always wanted to use.
Appinstitute
Appinstitute is am app builder platform for small business owners. It allows its users to quickly build Android and iOS apps without writing a single line of code. Appinstitute makes building apps super easy. You can choose a template, brand your app by dragging and dropping images from your website or social media channels, add features and information without coding and finally, publish to stores. You can choose your business type and your app comes pre-loaded with the features you’ll need.
Pricing: Appinstitute is free to start and plans start at $35/month.
AppMachine
AppMachine makes app building so simple by allowing you to use content on your website to build apps for iOS and Android. You can also build your app entirely from scratch. You can create custom apps their pre-coded, snap-together building blocks, skin selection, and many design features.
Pricing: Plans range from $49-$300 depending on the capabilities you would like to have.
Shoutem
Shoutem is another great tool that simplifies the app building process. Try their easy to use app designer to build professional looking apps fast. With Shoutem you don’t need any coding experience, just use their drag and drop interface. It’s super user-friendly. They also enable you to preview your app on your phone before publishing or updating your app.
Pricing: Their pricing plans range from $19.90- $119.90.
BiznessApps
BiznessApps was created out of the need for a faster, easier, and more cost-effective way to create mobile applications for small & medium-sized businesses. The platform enables you to either create your own app or become a re-seller and build apps for others. BiznessApps provides a drag and drop interface, you select your app’s features and customize the appearance. The app builder works behind the scenes and does all of the coding for you.
Pricing: You can pay $42 a month for a single app plan or $250 for a re-seller pan. See more details here.
As you can see, there are many options out there for mobile app development platforms. The platforms vary according to different needs, capabilities, and features. If you have no coding experience you may want to try an app builder platform that doesn’t require you to code. If this is your first time building an app try one of the free platforms first. As you build confidence and knowledge you can add more features and capabilities to your app.
* This article was recently updated
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