Top 10 Android App Development Languages

Android application development is one of the huge sectors in the mobile app industry that has grown up very rapidly since 2008. As it stands now, an unbelievable 97% smartphone market is owned by it. So, if you're planning to dive into this growth sector, learning one or more of the most sought-after languages for Android application development becomes highly crucial for you. The key languages include Kotlin, Java, C++, C#, and Dark. This article explores each language, why they should be your choice for Android development, and what tools are available to help you get started.

10 Best Android App Development Languages You Should Know

Interested in mobile app development? Learn what the Top 10 programming languages you really need to know for Android App development are. The following guide points out some of the most important languages that will give a very firm foundation for starting your Android development journey and making progress toward building some top-class mobile applications.

1. Kotlin

Kotlin has continued to grow in 2024 as one of the best-rated Android application development languages. Developed by JetBrains and introduced in 2011, Kotlin was designed to complement the weaknesses of Java. It had a relatively small adoption rate until 2017, when Google announced it as an official language for Android development. The advantages of Kotlin are that it gives developers more readable code, quicker compilation, and easier refactoring.

Pros

Kotlin is known for null safety, extension functions, and coroutines, making it a modern, powerful language when developing Android apps. In addition, it is widely used by developers in both corporate and open-source projects since it has a lot of features and a good community.

Cons

However, debugging Kotlin can be tricky, and there may be compatibility issues with older Android versions or tools. Additionally, the lack of detailed documentation for certain features can be a challenge.

2. Java

It is still one of the most popular general-purpose programming languages, with a great variety of areas where it can be applied. It is a reliable option for Android app development and is widely supported with numerous resources for learning and coding. Java's cross-platform nature allows developers to work in any operating system environment with ease.

Pros

Cheap to execute, especially with all the cheap Java hosting plans available, this language also represents a scalable, reliable development platform. It's ideal for both novice and experienced developers.

Cons

Java can be a bit difficult to learn; however, there are multiple ways in which the developers can master it.

3. C++

C++ is still a top competitor in Android application development for performance-intensive applications, most notably for gaming. Well, support for C++ is available in Android Studio, and hence it could be used along with Android's NDK for the high performance of tasks related to video and audio processing.

Pros

C++ offers high performance, making it an excellent choice for demanding applications. Its efficiency is ideal for computationally heavy tasks.

Cons

However, C++ might not be the best option for every project. It lacks the ease of use and API support that other languages like Kotlin and Java provide.

4. C#

C# is another powerful language for Android app development, known for its performance capabilities. Like C++, it is suitable for performance-intensive applications and is supported by Android Studio and the Android NDK.

Pros

C# allows developers to build high-performance apps, especially for game development, and integrates well with the Android NDK.

Cons

Despite its advantages, C# may not be the best fit for every project, as other languages like Kotlin and Java are easier to use and offer more robust support for Android APIs.

 5. Dark

Dark is a new language that is gaining traction in the Android development landscape. Originally created by Facebook to improve software performance, Dark has evolved to offer fast prototyping and game creation capabilities.

Pros

Dark's simplicity and rapid development features make it ideal for game development. Its flexibility allows seamless integration with other technologies like HTML5 and C++.

Cons

The downside is that Dark only works with Android Studio 3.0 and higher. It also lacks the comprehensive library support found in more established languages.

6. Python

Python is a very popular high-level programming language. It is relatively simple and flexible. Even though Python is not an Android-specific development language, it's easy to grasp and can serve well in web and data-driven applications.

Pros

That is due to its readability and flexibility; above all, it holds the largest ecosystem of libraries, from beginning to advanced developers.

Cons

Slower execution speed and higher memory consumption of Python is perhaps not the best fit when it comes to developing a mobile app, especially when the highest performance is demanded.

7. JavaScript

JavaScript remains an essential language for Android development, especially with its growing presence in both front-end and back-end development. With its familiar C++-like syntax, JavaScript is fast and versatile, making it a popular choice among developers.

Pros

JavaScript offers great speed and efficiency due to its client-side execution, reducing server load. It’s also highly interoperable with other technologies and is continuously updated by ECMA International.

Cons

One challenge with JavaScript is client-side security. Additionally, browser compatibility issues can arise, requiring extensive testing.

8. HTML/CSS

HTML and CSS are fundamental languages for structuring and styling web pages, making them crucial for Android app development, especially in 2024. They provide the framework for web content and design elements.

Pros

Both HTML and CSS are easy to learn and maintain. CSS ensures consistency across websites, making development faster and more efficient.

Cons

HTML and CSS also have some drawbacks, like browser compatibility issues and limited flexibility in the manipulation of more complex page layouts.

9. Dart

Dart has been developed by Google, and this is used a lot on mobile and web app development together with the Flutter framework. The syntax is nearly similar to other programming languages, making it rather easy to learn and put into place.

Pros

Dart enables full-stack development using one language, provides high performance, and offers built-in support for asynchronous programming.

Cons

Dart’s library support is limited compared to other languages, and its smaller community can pose challenges for developers seeking extensive resources.

10. Corona

Corona is a cross-platform framework known for its simplicity, using the Lua programming language. It’s ideal for creating 2D games and simple applications.

Pros

Corona is easy to learn, facilitates real-time updates, and has a strong community. It's also free, making it a cost-effective choice.

Cons

However, it’s mainly focused on 2D game development and may not support all device-specific features, limiting its flexibility.

Conclusion

Choosing the right language for Android app development in 2024 depends on your project’s specific needs. Factors like community support, performance requirements, and cross-platform development goals will guide your decision. At Appinventors, we help clients navigate these choices to ensure successful app development.