Best Android App Development Frameworks in 2024

Discover the best framework for Android app development perfect to meet your business goals.

Developing an app might sound like a team of developers working round the clock in a crowded office, coupled with sleepless nights and the huge investment of money. Maybe that was true a decade ago, but now tables have turned completely.

With the unprecedented boom and innovations in the tech industry, the development of an app has become much easier than before, especially with the help of frameworks. The best part is, for developing an app, you don’t have to be a certified developer. Simply pick a framework on which you want to develop your app, and you are good to go.

Now, the question is what a framework is? Well, let me tell you that a framework is a software library that lays the platform for the development of the app. In simple words, a framework is a chassis on which the app settles.

If I talk about Android apps, there are millions of apps available on the Google Play Store. You just name the utility, and you can find a relevant app in the store. Going forward, if you are also thinking of getting an app under your belt, here the best frameworks to develop an Android app.

Best Android development framework list in 2022

All the best Android development frameworks mentioned over here are being extensively used by developers across the globe. Therefore, after going through various parameters and specifications, we have come up with this rundown. Let's take a look.

1. Ionic - The Best Android App Framework

Ionic can build high-fidelity apps in no time, all thanks to LiveDeploy, which lets the developer deliver code updates, A/B tests, content changes, and space to fix bugs before and after the app is developed. Furthermore, you can drag and drop core Ionic UI components, add design files, themes, animations, and  edit the codes.

With this Android app development framework, you can create native apps binaries in the cloud with Ionic Package to get from code to the app store with no platform dependencies or complicated  steps.

Top features of Ionic, the best framework for Android development:

• Apps deployed on Ionic have cross-platform functionality
• It is built on reliable, standard web technologies, such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, by using modern web APIs
• It is easy to learn and is built with simplicity
• It is free and open-source

Know more about this best framework for Android development here

2. React Native - Best Android Framework

React Native is globally known as a reliable application development framework that effectively uses JavaScript as its core scripting programming language. Introduced by Facebook, this platform has become one of the best choices of app developers. Various app development companies are considering it a top-rated mobile framework for the future of hybrid app development.

One thing is sure when you use React Native, you’ll be in touch with a vast React community, which later helps you develop an app not just  with ease but in the minimum time possible. If you’re searching for the best cross-platform app development, React Native would be a wise option to proceed with.

Top features of this best Android development framework:

• Expense saving with max code reuse
• Native code rendering
• Node.Js supported
• Easy identification of bugs
• Node Packet Manager (NPM) installation makes it easy to use for budding developers
• Live reload with two screens- one for code modification and the second to preview the changes
• Time taken for the development process to complete is very less
• Lots of plugins to enable compatibility with hardware components of a device

Know more about this best Android app framework here

3. Flutter - The Best Framework for Android Development

Flutter the best framework for mobile apps. It is a recently launched app development product of Google. The company introduced this platform specifically to facilitate hybrid app developers. The platform has its native UI components and WebView but instead of using them, it uses Skia, a 2D rendering engine to create appealing visuals. With the use of these visual components, an application will get the potential to resemble native Material Design and Cupertino style widgets.

For developers, it’s a well-managed mobile app framework that makes the development easy, swift, and extremely optimized. The amazing thing about this mobile framework is that it offers Hot Reload functionality, which helps developers testing the project even without putting in the repetitive restart efforts.

Top features of Flutter, the best framework for Android development:

• Apex choice for cross-platform development
• Lightning Fast 
• Hot reload feature, enabling coders to see the changes in the app right away.
• Smooth UI designs with unorthodox design elements
• The absolute choice for MVP
• Dynamic code writing
• Provides own widgets
• Compatible with Fuchsia

Know more about this best framework for Android development here

4. Xamarin - Best Android Application Framework

Much like other frameworks, you can create a native app for platforms like Android, iOS, and Windows. It works on a shared C# codebase that makes the code compatible with all the platforms. For the new OS releases, there is a window of moving cutting-edge apps with same-day support that will help the developers to save time.

As a developer, you can check the functionalities of the app with the Xamarin framework, which can be done in the cloud with regular tracking of the app.

Top features of this Android Application Framework:

• Native UI features
• More than 95 percent of the code is reusable for different platforms
• Apps connect brilliantly with hardware components via plugins without hampering the device’s performance
• With Xamarin Studio, Xamarin SDKs, Xamarin Test Cloud, and Xamarin Insights, it has its own fully developed ecosystem
• Wider learning opportunities
• Continuous performance without being unstable
• Easy API integration
• Spot on for cross-platform development
• Fast GUI prototyping 
• Excellent code sharing and maintenance

Know more Android Application Framework here

5. PhoneGap - Best Android Development Framework

PhoneGap lets you reuse existing web development skills to quickly make hybrid applications built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can create experiences for multiple platforms with a single codebase to  reach your audience irrespective of  their device.

With the PhoneGap Android app development framework, you can design app-store-ready apps without the headache of maintaining native SDKs.

Top Features of this Android development framework:

• Develop an app without using the command line
• Instantly see the changes that you make
• Get your app ready without the maintenance of native SDKs
• Rich library of plugins
• Helpful developer community

Know more about this Android development framework here

6. NativeScript - Best Android App Framework

For those who want their cross-platform apps to be coded in JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular, NativeScript is the best hybrid mobile framework. It allows users to access the APIs for both iOS and Android devices. NativeScript apps are created using JavaScript or any other programming language that transpile to javascript like TypeScript and Angular. 

The apps created in NativeScript are completely native as they  use the same APIs as used in Xcode or Android studio. The apps can be integrated with this party library from CocoaPods, Maven, and npm.js without the need for the wrapper. Another notable feature is the use of reflection to handle native API endpoints. In place of requiring separate binding layers between NativeScript and the mobile platform API, NativeScript uses reflection to gain information and metadata about the native platform APIs. All the features added to any native platform API can be used for NativeScript apps immediately.

Top features of this Android App Framework:

• Executes fast
• Compiles down as a native code and runs as a native app
• Split custom content
• Support for Vue.js.

Know more about this Android App Framework here

7. JQuery Mobile - Best Framework Used in Android

jQuery Mobile is an HTML5-based user interface framework that is designed to create responsive websites and apps that can run on all smartphones, tablets, and desktop devices. The framework follows the "write less, do more" mantra. It allows the developers to design a single highly-branded responsive app that can work flawlessly on all popular smartphones, tablets, and desktop platforms.

jQuery Mobile Android app development framework is built on the rock-solid jQuery and jQuery UI foundation and offers Ajax navigation with page transitions, touch events, and various widgets. Its lightweight code is built with progressive enhancement, coupled with an easily themeable design.

Top features of jQuery the Best framework for Android development:

• Allows HTML manipulation
• Small, fast, light-weight javascript library
• Effects and animation
• HTML event methods
• Extensibility through plug-ins

Know more about this framework for Android development here

8. Framework7 - The Best App Development Framework

Framework7 is an open-source and free top hybrid app framework, which is used for creating desktop, mobile, and web-based applications with a native feel and appearance. This best hybrid app development platform offers UI components that will run seamlessly on any platform. 

Framework7 can be paired with advanced tools like NW.js, and Electron. This best hybrid app development framework allows you to use any tools of your choice, except HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Top features of this top Android framework:

• Easy to learn and implement
• Contain plenty of widgets and components
• Built-in helper libraries.

Read more about this top Android framework here

9. Corona SDK

Corona is a cross-platform framework that can be used to create apps and games for mobile devices and desktop systems. It is an asset for any custom android app development company as you get to create a project once and publish it to multiple types of devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire, Mac Desktop, and more.

Corona Android app development framework speeds up the development process real fast. Moreover, you can also update your code, save the changes, and instantly see the results in our instant-update Simulator. When you're done with the app development, build and deploy your app and then see codes update automatically.

Due to its competency to perform at every core level, the apps are automatically compiled at build time, streamlined for performance and stability.

Top features of this top framework used in Android:

• Numerous plugins are available
• The Lua-based framework, which is designed to be lightweight and fast
• Can call any native  library or API using Corona
• Develop apps for multiple platforms with just one codebase

Know more about the best framework used in Android here

10. Appcelerator - One of the Top Android Frameworks

If you can develop a single JavaScript codebase, Appcelerator can help you to design an excellent native mobile app. The framework is complemented with Titanium plus direct access to any native API with Hyperloop. The best part of the Appcelerator is that it is open for all platforms and is free to use.

This cross-platform mobile app development framework can also be used to power mobile test automation, mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), and crash detection.

Top features of this top framework used in Android:

• Write in JavaScript and run on any device and OS
• Verify apps with full mobile test automation
• Get mobile-optimized access to any data source
• See usage & adoption, detect crashes, tune the performance

Know more about this framework used in Android here

EndNote

So, there you go, these are some of the best app development frameworks that can grease the wheels for you in your app development process. Certainly, there are differences in these frameworks and they supplement apps with particular objectives. Hence, first clear objectives for your app and then chose a framework best suitable for your needs.

For more insights about the framework landscape, top android app development companies, and review of the latest technology, stay tuned with MobileAppDaily. If you have a product you want to showcase to the world, get in touch.