It has a wide range of tools you can use to build, test, and manage apps for all Apple platforms.
If you’re building a native iOS app, you’ll be using Xcode.
Important features
Interface Builder
The Interface Builder is Xcode’s drag-and-drop tool for designing UIs, similar to Android Studio’s layout editor.
Instruments
Xcode’s performance analysis tools, Instruments, will help you identify and fix performance issues with your code.
iOS Simulator
Xcode has a built-in iOS emulator, so you can test your app on a range of devices and operating systems without physical hardware.
Asset catalog
The asset catalog allows you to organize images and other app resources easily and efficiently.
App Store Connect
Xcode has an integrated workflow for submitting apps to the App Store and you can track your app’s performance directly from Xcode.
Pros and cons
Pros
Advanced debugging
Easy navigation
Comprehensive toolset
Cons
Limited to Apple
Steep learning curve
Pricing
Xcode is available for free on the Mac App Store and doesn’t come with any upfront costs or licensing fees.
But, if you want to publish your iOS app in the App Store, you need to join the Apple Developer Program – it starts at $99/year for individuals and $299/year for enterprises.
If you’re building an Android app, Android Studio is a must.
It’s a powerful, all-in-one tool for the development, testing, and packaging of Android apps.
And that’s why it’s the best choice.
Important features
Intelligent code editor
Android Studio’s intelligent code editor and its code completion feature will help you write high-quality code faster. It supports languages like Java, C, C++, and Kotlin.
APK analyzer
The APK analyzer lets you see the composition of your app’s APK after you’ve built it – this will reduce the size of your app and help with debugging.
Code templates
Android Studio has pre-made code templates for common features, which can significantly speed up development.
Layout editor
A drag-and-drop interface for designing UIs, the layout editor lets you quickly build layouts and preview what they look like on various Android devices.
Pros and cons
Pros
Strong community support
Regular updates
Easy to learn
Cons
High RAM usage
Slow emulator
Pricing
Android Studio is an open-source IDE, and it’s free to use for anyone who wants to build an Android app.
This is especially important if you’re building an app in a competitive niche where being first to market can mean the difference between success and failure.
And that’s why it should be in your Android app development tech stack.
Important features
Declarative UI development
Jetpack Compose supports declarative development, which significantly speeds up the development process
Composable components
UI components in Jetpack Compose are built using composable components that can be combined and reused
State management
In Jetpack Compose, state management is declarative and this speeds up writing code and reduces the amount of boilerplate code
Pro – from $25/month, designed for apps in production with the option to scale
Team – from $599/month, with stricter security and priority email support
Enterprise – custom pricing, with 24/7 premium support and a designated support manager
Mobile app development tech stacks: FAQs
When choosing a tech stack for your mobile app, you should consider your app’s target platform, your team’s expertise, your app’s requirements, and the cost-effectiveness of each tool in the tech stack.
If you’re building an iOS app, the tech stack you should use is:
Swift
Xcode
iOS SDK
SwiftUI
Cloudkit
If you’re building an Android app, the tech stack you should use is:
Kotlin
Android Studio
Android SDK
Jetpack Compose
Firebase
If you’re building a cross-platform mobile app, the tech stack you should use is:
Dart
Visual Studio Code
Flutter
Supabase
Conclusion
Your choice of tech stack can make or break your mobile app.
If you pick the wrong one, you might not even be able to build your app to your requirements – so, making the right choice is crucial.
But, with the tech stacks we’ve covered, you’ll have no problem developing a great app.
An Applied Sciences graduate and a true connoisseur of tech, Ivan is a software developer with a genuine love for exploring new technologies. QAs love his code, and his fellow developers always value his input. For Ivan, there is no issue too small to talk over, and no problem that can’t be solved together.
When he is not coding, Ivan is usually hiking or playing football. His ideal workspace? Probably a cottage in the mountains, with a serious gaming setup and fast internet connection.