Best Application Development Software in 2026

Application development software enables you to create your own custom apps without programming skills. However, how do you pick the best application development software for your needs from the scores of quality programs out there? We make your task easier by listing the features and factors you should look for in these types of tools.

A great way to begin your quest for the best application development software is to try out the free trial or demo of popular platforms. Leading application development software providers present this facility to help you learn about their product’s key features and do a comparison with other solutions. We recommend you try out BitBucket, Cloud Elements, Appy Pie, Bizness Apps, Anypoint Platform, Docker, and Salesforce Platform as these products have received impressive rankings and ratings in our application development tools reviews.

Mostly, application development software buyers are of two types:

• Line of business purchasers. These users should invest in software that provides visual interfaces. They should also check out the templated apps available for industry verticals such as banking, healthcare, entertainment etc.
• DevOps purchasers. These users should buy application development software that offers customizable code since they usually need to edit and expand the pre-generated code. Plus, they should select a platform that supports backend integrations services.

1. BitBucket: A web-based hosting platform for projects that use Git or Mercurial revision control types. It empowers users to code, collaborate on, and manage Git projects. The tool provides loads of benefits for code workers and professional developers. Its distributed control system facilitates massive scaling and effortless collaboration.
2. Cloud Elements: An API integration and management platform that presents over 115 prebuilt integrations as uniform RESTful APIs. The tool’s integrations are classified into ‘API Hubs’ or categories of services. Each category can be accessed via a uniform REST API, which helps to minimize the time you need to create integrations. In addition, you can utilize the API Hubs to aggregate data internally and to provide an integration marketplace to your consumers.
3. Appy Pie: A web-based mobile app builder that empowers you to create apps using basic drag-and-drop functionality. You don’t need coding skills or experience in app building to use this product as it provides guidelines, resources, and tools that are easy to follow and use. Besides, you can create apps that work on Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows devices. You can then publish your apps on leading app stores and make money.
4. Bizness Apps: This platform empowers entrepreneurs, marketers, mobile app developers, and web designers to promote their mobile business ventures without spending time trying to learn coding. Its white label services are popular among users. The software is easy to use: select a template, enter all the details, and then, Bizness Apps automatically completes the process to create your custom app. Plus, it offers loads of customization options to enable you to create even complex apps.
5. Anypoint Platform: An open source program that addresses connectivity issues across APIs, SaaS, and SOA. It provides a range of out-of-the-box connectors that you can use to integrate apps and data, on premise or in the cloud. This allows you to organize, link, and allow any external or internal endpoint. The best part is Anypoint Platform offers features for important processes such as security, logging, high availability, business group management, identity management, and analytics.
6. Docker. An open source container solution that simplifies the creation and sharing of containerized applications. It offers productivity tools, a cloud-based application registry, a local Kubernetes environment, and a cloud-based docker environment. Its developer tools allow you to build, test, and share secured and cloud-based applications.
7. Salesforce Platform. An app building platform with built in AI that lets you create applications according to your business requirements. It gives you total control and flexibility in building scalable applications with a stronger focus in your business operations instead of the app’s infrastructure. It also comes with enterprise-grade collaboration tools to drive productivity.

Application development tools can be classified into three main categories:

• Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) suites software – refers to the solutions that guide you through the step-by-step lifecycle of application development, from specification, design, and development to the testing and sharing of a software.
• Mobile Development Software – programs that simplify mobile app creation, taking into consideration a wide range of screen sizes, hardware specifications, and other specific configurations for different mobile systems.
• Rapid Application Development (RAD) software – applications that help you create programs using the rapid-application building method, which prioritizes rapid prototype iterations and releases.

1. Mobile app analytics. Collects data on how users utilize the app after deployment to help you identify and correct bugs and improve the product.
2. Data synchronization. Enables you to synchronize data created by apps in offline mode with online services.
3. API. RESTful APIs help you to integrate the features of the program with back-end databases and services.
4. Hardware compatibility testing. Enables you to preview the app’s display on multiple operating systems and device types, via software simulation or by pushing the app preview to hardware devices.
5. Templated prebuilt apps. The software offers templates for standard app use cases such as employee facing, field service, banking etc.    
6. Code-free development. Even lay users without coding skills can develop apps by using visual drag-and-drop interfaces, wizards and other user-friendly features.
7. Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This is a graphical user interface for debugging, compiling, and source code editing.
8. Metadata Architecture. Metadata layers, which contain the processes, configurations, apps, and more, can be separated from the application building service, which makes software upgrade operations easier.

1. Assistance for UI/workflow design. Application development software offers features that enable you to concentrate on the user interface and the user experiences and workflows supported by the platform.
2. Hardware compatibility. Most application development solutions integrate with native SDKs (software development kits) for Android, iOS, etc. This gives you access to the hardware features of popular smartphone platforms without needing to browse the native SDK. In addition, you can utilize usability testing to identify and resolve design issues before launching the app.
3. Visual development environment. Application development platforms offer visual development environments and user-friendly templates that enable even lay users to create apps easily.
4. Backend data integration. The software presents user-friendly APIs that enable you to easily integrate the solution with backend databases and services.
5. Quicker development time. This is one of the main benefits of application development software. The platform eliminates or automates the time-consuming code-writing process and allows you to launch your apps faster.
6. Customize your own apps. With application development solutions, you can design your own programs with minimal coding requirements. They give you total control and flexibility in how you want your application to work, allowing you to have a custom program that follows your operations closely.

Emergence of Integration Platform as a Service. This service refers to the growing market for cloud solutions for data integration such as backend data integrations for applications. Many vendors provide backend data integration assistance, but for complex deployments you require a separate integration as a service.

Rapid Application Development (RAD). This technology includes drag-and-drop interfaces, predesigned app templates, visual wizards and other tools that enable lay users to design and deploy applications without IT assistance. This type of software is ideal for digital businesses where customer support, marketing and other units need to deploy apps quickly to respond to new opportunities as they arise.  

Continuous Delivery. Giants like Amazon are leading the continuous delivery trend, which involves the quick implementation of codes as soon as they are written. With continuous integration, testing, and configuration, the number of errors that usually go into software products are more likely to be reduced. They also ensure that all errors are caught immediately and sent back for the developer teams to fix.

Software fragmentation. There are many versions of Android and other operating systems which makes it difficult to run apps in the same way on different devices even if the operating system is the same. Plus, the various types of software in a mobile device read apps differently which creates issues for customers in using the apps. The solution is to test a range of combinations including the older and latest versions of Android or other operating systems.

Different screen sizes. It is not feasible to design apps for the latest platform as mobile devices have limitations based on OS requirements, pixel intensities, embedded technologies, screen sizes etc. In addition, iOS, Windows, and Android operating systems have their own UI objects. The solution is to build a responsive design that makes the app more liquid and compatible with various screen sizes and formats. To avoid display issues, you can beta test the app before launch.

Poor communication among teams. Miscommunication among a team of software developers can lead to poor quality of products and services. Without a proper communication system in place, your projects run the risk of falling apart due to errors in your team’s workflow and could affect your target deadlines and project expenses.  Thus, implementing a proper communication platform can help streamline your application development process. There are a number of end-to-end solutions out there that can help you keep track of the entire lifecycle of your software projects

Here are some relevant application development statistics that you need to know:

1. The most widely-used programming language in the world is JavaScript. About 59.08% of programs in 2020 are using this programming language. (Coding Sans)
2. The number of mobile app downloads is expected to grow up to 258 billion in 2022. (Venture Beat)
3. About 44.66% of companies are “somewhat satisfied” in outsourcing their software development operations. (Coding Sans)
4. Nearly 25% of mobile applications are games. (PocketGamer.biz)
5. Over 50% of mobile users have zero app downloads per month. (comScore)

Application development tools are known for their low-code, visual approach in developing business programs. However, each tool you’ll find in the market serves unique purposes that may or may not be applicable to your needs. Below, we prepared a list of some of the things you need to consider when buying an application development software.

1. Lifecycle management. Try to look for an application development tool complete with lifecycle management, which allows developers to keep track of an app in its testing, hosting, deployment, and maintenance status. This gives you a complete overview of your project’s performance.
2. Security. Built-in security tools automatically keep your apps safe from various kinds of cyber-attacks. Thus, it is critical that your chosen application development software can provide admin security controls, governance, and auditability.
3. Integrations. You should also keep in mind the integrations offered by your choice of application development software. Integrations can make app building easier, especially when you can seamlessly connect with other systems and services that your application needs throughout its lifecycle.
4. Usability. A user-friendly application development software takes no time getting used to and can accelerate your app-building processes. As much as possible, pick a tool with an intuitive and easy-to-use development interface. Signing up for free trials can also help you decide if the program is fit for your developer team.