Choosing the Best Technology Stack for Mobile Apps

Have you finally decided to digitalize your business with a mobile app? That’s a great idea.

Building a mobile app is neither too easy or too difficult. You only have to outline your thoughts, plan, and build an effective approach, which includes selecting a particular technology stack. That’s where most entrepreneurs get confused. Yes, it’s true.

Are you too confused about the same?

Don’t sweat. This write up will guide you about the role of the technology stack for app development & which one would be right for your business. So, let’s get started with the basics first.

What is Technology Stack?

Technology stack basically means a platform, programming languages, interface designing tools, database, and testing frameworks that are required to develop an app.

The technology stack directly influences the frontend and backend development. The major components that create a technology stack are:

• Frontend: A medium that allows interaction between the app and the user.
• Backend: The interface that takes the user information, processes and then gives optimum results.
• Development platform: It combines the libraries & interfaces to develop the mobile app. 

You may have now got an idea about the technology stack. To begin with, let’s dive into its importance and explore the commonly used options:

Native App Development

Mobile app technology is inclined towards security and responsiveness, native apps are one of the most important assets to become productive online. Native apps offer great device compatibility, seamless user experience, and high security.

Moreover, Native platforms integrate the device in-built functionalities in the app without relying on external API.

When we talk about native apps, the two names that pop up in our mind are iOS and Android apps. Both the platforms are very different from one another, so let’s explore them separately one by one.

1. iOS App Technology Stack

To build a mobile app specifically for iOS devices, you need to hire iOS app developers that are apt with the following:

• Objective C & Swift: For building an iOS app, the most popular mobile app framework is Objective C or Swift. Objective C is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language that supersets C language. It was popular before the launch of Swift. Today, Swift has taken over as it is a general purpose multi-paradigm compiled programming language created by Apple.
• Xcode & AppCode Toolset: If Swift is used, then you will need Apple Xcode for developing the app. Xcode is the official IDE of Apple Inc. This feature-rich environment allows you to create mobile and desktop applications. Beyond integrated support, Xcode has Git repositories that builds the user interface graphically and debugs the tools. This UI tool is used to create native and gaming apps. AppCode is an alternative to Xcode that has started to become popular. The faster coding and various language support offer C, C++, and JavaScripts.

2. Android Technology Stack

Want to target a larger share of your target audience by building an android app? You should hire android developers with hands-on experience on the following tech stack:

• Java & Kotlin: Java is a programming language that is most dominantly used. Being an open-source language, it offers developers rich libraries and development tools. Giants like Google & Yahoo keep working to enhance this programming language. On the other hand, Kotlin has become a more stable option for Android studio. There are a few limitations with Java that impede the API design. Kotlin is undoubtedly improving existing Java models. In fact, this excellent and inter-operable language is used in a Java project where you need less coding.
• Android Studio Toolset: Android studio offers code editing, debugging, performance tools, and instantly deploy the system. Besides offering Android-specific coding support, ADT makes the developer use different on-device debugging tools, UI builder, and scriptable automation support.

Hybrid App Tech Stack

You can develop hybrid apps using CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript. They can run on any platform while providing access to API and acquire device storage and camera. The popular mobile app frameworks are Cordova, Sencha Touch 2, and Ionic.

Cross-Platform App Tech Stack

A cross-platform developer uses a single code base, so you can develop the applications for different platforms – Android, iOS, Windows, and the web.

Businesses prefer cross-platform mobile app development as the business benefit revolves around vast demographic coverage and less development cost. You can develop the cross-platform applications in Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin.

Recommended Read: A Roadmap to Mobile App Development

Which Tech Stack will be the Best Fit for your Application?

Now, when you have got an overview of the types of development platforms, it is time for you to explore what factors to consider before choosing the tech stack:

• Type of the project
• Aim of the app
• Skillset
• Multiple platforms
• Security
• Compatibility

1. Type of Project

There are a lot of things to consider like the network conditions, user experience, time to market, and the preferred platform. These parameters will help you in deciding the mobile app framework, library languages required for the development of the mobile app.

2. Aim of the App

If you are validating your product idea, then it is advisable to engage your customers and have a powerful impression on them. Furthermore, you have to think if you are planning to build a high latency app or a responsive app. If the app will depend on heavy load processing that works around the streamlined interaction.

3. Skillset

There are many languages and frameworks that offer similar results. With the introduction of the tech stack, you have decided to choose, your team gets comfortable and will expedite the process while improving the quality of work.

Want to get started with your idea? Hire developers remotely & reduce the operational cost by up to 60%.

4. Security

Every mobile app technology has to combat bugs and related vulnerabilities. No matter which technology you choose, intruders will always keep looking for different ways to hack. So, your team should know how to incorporate security using your chosen tech stack. 

5. Compatibility

The best app tech stack is the one that will help you generate maximum ROI for your business. Still, to get the best out of your application, look out for the compatibility of tools, APIs, etc. with your tech stack.

Summing Up

Among plenty of technologies, you should choose the one that best aligns with your requirements and vision. In short, the success of your application depends upon which technology stack you are going to use.

So, are you finally clear about which technology stack you want to use? Contact us now to hire mobile app developers and get started.