From gathering requirements from your clients to deploying the increment for beta testing, the Software Development Life Cycle is a cycle which requires contribution from a lot of employees at various steps. The best weapon to have in your arsenal while converting an idea to a product would be an Application Development Software. Application development platforms give developers a single environment possessing all of the tools developers need to create an application. 

Qualifications for an App Development Software

The product must have:

• A mobile-specific development focus.
• Front-end mobile development tools for UI/UX creation.
• Back-end development tools for data services.
• Tools for mobile application testing.
• A software developer’s kit with additional tools for actions such as collaboration, debugging, or code analysis.

The article will focus on Best Application Development softwares which is a crucial part of the Software Development Life Cycle. please note that these softwares can be used for normal small scale projects as well. Without further ado, let’s get right to it!

1. Visual Studio – Best-in-class tools for any developer.

Visual Studio Homepage

Visual Studio – Insight

The platform is an integrated development environment for developing console and graphical user interfaces of mobile applications, all with the support of all Windows services.

Visual Studio Features

• Develop apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, web, and cloud.
• Write your code fast
• Debug and diagnose with ease
• Test often, release with confidence
• Extend and customize to your liking
• Collaborate efficiently
• Edit and debug apps on any OS
• Built-in Git support
• Over 10k extensions
• Free and built on open source
• Be productive using a fast and fluid code editor
• Fix issues with advanced debugging capabilities
• Identify problems with comprehensive testing
• Customize using themes, fonts, and more
• Collaborate effectively with built-in source control
• Access to the latest and past versions of Visual Studio
• Monthly Azure credit for Dev/test
• Access to thousands of software downloads
• Services to help support your development
• Training resources including Pluralsight and LinkedIn Learning
• Support benefits

Visual Studio Pricing plans

• Professional plans 
  • Monthly Subscription – $45 per month
  • Standard Subscription – $1,199/$799 first year and renewal
• Enterprise plans
  • Monthly Subscription – $250 per month
  • Standard Subscription – $5,999/$2,569 first year and renewal

Visual Studio Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/VisualStudio

2. Xcode – Universal app ready.

Xcode Homepage

About Xcode

Xcode provides a radical way to build and design a mobile application. Along with the traditional programming languages, it provides an innovative language called Swift, which when combined with the Cocoa tools in Xcode, provides a more lively experience to developers.

Xcode Features

• Source Editor
• Assistant Editor
• Version Editor
• Interface Builder Built-In
• Simulator
• Integrated Build System
• Compilers
• Graphical Debugger
• Continuous Integration
• Asset Catalog
• Open Quickly
• OpenGL Frame Capture
• Complete Documentation
• Live Issues
• Fix-it
• Quick Help
• XCTest Framework
• Static Analysis

3. Android Studio – Android Studio provides the fastest tools for building apps on every type of Android device.

Android Studio Homepage

About Android Studio

Android Studio is the official integrated development environment for developing Android applications. The IDE is based on intelliJ IDEA.

Android Studio Features

• Tool Windows
• Code Completion
• Sample code available
• Multiple APK Support
• Resource shrinking
• Dependency management
• Inline debugging
• Memory profiler
• Code inspections
• Performance profiling

4. OutSystems – Develop with no limit.

OutSystems Homepage

About OutSystems

OutSystems is the low-code platform for digital transformation through which one can build mobile apps, web portals, mission critical systems and more. Crafted by engineers with an obsessive attention to detail, every aspect of our platform is designed to help you build and deliver better apps faster.

OutSystems Features

• UI Code Extending
• Programming Code Extending
• Customized Branding
• Application Templates
• Workflows
• Portals and Sites
• Data Migration
• Data Synchronization
• Data Security
• Low-Code App Development
• Performance and Reliability
• Self-Service Capabilities
• Application Deployment
• Platform Compatibility
• Lifecycle Management

OutSystems Pricing

• Enterprise – Starting at US $6,250 (Billed Annually)
• Universal – Starting at US $15,000 (Billed Annually)
• Free Trial is also available

OutSystems Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/outsystems

5. Firebase – A comprehensive app development platform.

Firebase Homepage

About Firebase

Create a database remotely and which is accessible with javascript. Firebase gives you functionality like analytics, databases, messaging and crash reporting so you can move quickly and focus on your users. Firebase is built on Google infrastructure and scales automatically, for even the largest apps.

Firebase Features

• Cloud Firestore
• Firebase ML BETA
• Cloud Functions
• Cloud Storage
• Realtime Database
• Quality Illustration
• Crashlytics
• Performance Monitoring
• Test Lab
• App Distribution BETA
• Grow Illustration
• In-App Messaging BETA
• Google Analytics
• Predictions
• A/B Testing BETA
• Cloud Messaging
• Remote Config
• Dynamic Links

Firebase Pricing

• Spark – $5 per month
• Candle – $49 per month
• Bonfire – $149 per month
• Free Trial is also available

Firebase Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/Firebase

6. Zoho Creator – For the Creator in you Build. Integrate. Extend.

Zoho Creator Homepage

Zoho Creator Features

• Build applications visually
• Automate the routine
• Launch multi-device applications
• Extend the potential
• Host anywhere
• Control user access
• Integrate the applications
• Migrate in minutes

Zoho Creator Pricing

• Enterprise – Custom price/user/month
• ULTIMATE – $35 Per User / Month Billed Annually
• PREMIUM – $20 Per User / Month (Billed Annually)
• BASIC – $10 Per User / Month (Billed Annually)
• Free Trial is available as well

Zoho Creator Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/zoho

7. Xamarin with Azure – Create powerful and scalable native mobile apps with .NET and Azure.

  Xamarin Homepage

About Xamarin

Xamarin is a free, cross-platform and open-source mobile-app platform for building native Android and iOS apps using .NET and C#. With Xamarin, one can get started quickly using various services, from authentication to storage and Azure Cognitive Services, to provide an immersive experience tailored to users’ needs.

Xamarin Features

• Develop on macOS and Windows
• Build captivating cross-platform apps
• Best-in-class DevOps tools
• Intelligent apps with Azure Cognitive Services
• Build on industry-leading Azure security

Xamarin Pricing

• ENTERPRISE – $1899 per year
• BUSINESS – $999 per year
• INDIE – $25 per month

Xamarin Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/XamarinVideos

8. BuildFire – BuildFire’s platform gives you all the tools you need to build a successful mobile app in a fraction of the time.

BuildFire Homepage

About BuildFire

BuildFire offers the best of both worlds, with high-end custom development capabilities as well as an easy, intuitive DIY platform. The simple, elegant drag-and-drop UI makes it easy to build your own iOS or Android application. 

BuildFire Features

• Intuitive Dashboard and Rapid Prototyping
• Build your app with building blocks called plugins
• Monetize your app any way you want
• Deliver targeted Push Notifications at every step of the user journey
• User management, Security, Access settings
• See everything that’s happening in your app right in BuildFire Dashboard or utilize your favorite analytics tools for the deepest level of insight.
• Develop custom features for your app with the BuildFire SDK.

BuildFire Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkjnLPNCXcWwYeIs0dtYwA

9. AppCode – SWIFT EXECUTION OF YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS.

AppCode Homepage

AppCode Features

• Smart Editor
• Refactorings & and code generation
• Code analysis
• Navigation & search
• Editor customization
• Run & debug
• Unit testing
• Database support
• Version Control, Integrations, Xcode & Plugins support

AppCode Pricing

• Businesses and organizations – $ 199 /1st year, $ 159 /2nd year
• Individual customers – $ 89 /1st year, $ 71 /2nd year
• Discounted and complimentary licenses – 50% for startups and 25% for competitive tools users
• Free Trial available

 AppCode Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-dujzFOqDQ&list=PLQ176FUIyIUbgRx3HIRKFgHHkapFWv9Tf

10. AWS Amplify – Fastest way to build mobile and web applications.

  AWS Amplify Homepage

About Amplify

AWS Amplify (AWS Mobile SDK) lets you develop and scale mobile and web applications. You can effortlessly perform actions like authenticate users, securely store data and user metadata, authorize selective access to data, integrate machine learning, analyze application metrics, execute server-side code and much more. From version control to production deployment and easy scaling your business from thousands of users to tens of millions, Amplify does it all. 

Amplify Features

• Greater breadth and depth
• Build for any platform
• Data simplified
• Offline synchronization
• No servers to manage
• Fine-grained security controls

Amplify Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/AWSwebinars

11. Adobe AIR – The Adobe AIR technology enables developers to create and package cross platform games/apps for major platforms like iOS, Android, Windows and Mac OS.

Adobe AIR Homepage

About Adobe AIR

Adobe AIR runtime enables developers to package the same code into native applications and games for Windows and Mac OS desktops and mobile devices.

Adobe AIR Features

• Deliver console-quality games
  • Stage 3D
  • Concurrency
  • Extensibility
• Produce stunning media
  • HD-quality video
  • High-quality of service
  • Content protection
• Develop high-performance apps
  • Optimised content
  • Enhanced rendering
  • Advanced bitmap control

Adobe AIR Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/AdobeGaming

12. Alpha Anywhere – Mobile App Development Platform.

Alpha Anywhere Homepage

About Alpha Anywhere

The Alpha platform is the only unified mobile and web app development and deployment environment with distinct “no-code” and “low-code” components. Using the Alpha TransForm no-code product, business users and developers can take full advantage of all the capabilities of the smartphone to turn any form into a mobile app in minutes, and power users can add advanced app functionality with Alpha TransForm’s built-in programming language. 

Alpha Anywhere Key Features

• Data Integration
• Security
• User Experience
• Analytics & Charting
• Offline
• Mobile Forms
• Mapping,GPS & GIS
• Calendar
• Video & Image Gallery

Alpha Anywhere Pricing

• Alpha TransForm – As Low As 5.95 USD per user, per month
• Alpha Anywhere Developer Edition – 995 USD per year
• Alpha Anywhere Application Server – 4,995 USD per year
• Free Trial is available as well

Alpha Anywhere Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSoftwareInc

13. Trackvia – If you can imagine it, you can make it.

Trackvia Homepage

What is TrackVia?

TrackVia – A low-code workflow management platform in the cloud whose support enables companies to efficiently build customized, mobile or web applications with little or almost nil help from IT and that too in a matter of weeks.

Trackvia Features

• Process Overview
• Process Analysis
• Real-Time Process Monitoring
• Programming Code Extending
• Document Generation
• Process Design
• No-Code App Development
• Low-Code App Development
• Data Migration
• Data Security
• Permissions for Sharing
• Data Unification
• Accessibility
• Process Routing
• Application Deployment

Trackvia Video Support – https://www.youtube.com/user/trackvia

In conclusion!

Hope the article helps you in landing on an application development software.