Society is now completely dependent on apps: Our daily routines, work, and studying habits are completely dependent on the thousands of applications that we have installed on our iOS or Android devices. We read the top 10 Android frameworks for app development.
Frameworks, the multi-component tools that allow the development of many applications for mobile use, made all these possibilities possible.
In this discussion, you will learn about the 10 most popular Android framework tools, their features, and the best projects that they can be used for. This information will allow you to determine which Android frameworks are best suited for your projects.
What is an Application Framework?
An application framework, as you may have guessed, is a tool that provides pre-made components and structures for application development. It’s primarily focused on creating different types of applications’ architecture, such as:
- Native apps (the OS-specific applications for iOS, Android, and others)
- Hybrid apps (multi-platform apps that are usually written in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5)
- Web applications (accessible via a web browser)
Android framework has a component structure with a customizable interface. It allows you to reuse your app design and code and centralize the base codes under one location. All these features can be summarized to show that the Android framework’s core purpose is to make it easier for programmers to create and code the app structure.
This niche is extremely popular, which has led to the development of various Android frameworks that can standardize and speed up delivery for Android devices.
These are just a few of the popular options available to developers: Ionic Framework, Framework7, Xamarin Framework, NativeScript Framework, and React Native Framework.
It is important to focus on the most popular Android frameworks in order to find the best tools for creating first-class Android OS apps. Let’s now examine the top frameworks for Android app development and see which ones will allow you to create products that are competitive for Google Play!
Also read: 10 Best Android Customization Apps for Smartphone
Top 10 Android Frameworks for App Development
The tools you choose will affect the choice of the Android framework. This can make it different for every project, depending on its requirements and main goals. Let’s take a look at the most effective and popular Android frameworks in 2022 to discover the best features developers can use.
1. Ionic Framework
Ionic, an open-source Android framework that has been certified by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), allows developers to create progressive hybrid apps using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and HTML5. Ionic is a popular framework for Android development because of its cross-platform functionality and ability to integrate AngularJS.
This Android framework has a simple CLI (Command Line Interface) that allows for features such as emulators, live-reload, and logging. Ionic is Cordova- and Angularly-based. It has gained a large following.
There were approximately 4 million Ionic-based applications built. More than 5 million developers used the framework in more than 200 countries. It integrates with numerous services such as Google Play, Instagram, and other platforms.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform mobile application development
- Native experience with default user interface
- Cordova plugins
- JavaScript components
- Publication under the MIT License
- Framework compatibility with Angular and the most recent JavaScript frameworks. Also, all front-end frameworks such as Vue.js or React.js are compatible.
This tool is intended for developers who want to create interactive and hybrid mobile apps. The Ionic Android framework is available to startups and web developers for the launch of mobile, desktop, and web apps for fast-growing businesses and agencies. It can be used for everything from healthcare IT, pharmacy, insurance, and hospitality IT, as well as for other purposes.
2. Flutter Framework
Flutter, a multi-platform Android app SDK, was designed and maintained by Google. It can be used to create applications in a different way than other Android frameworks.
It is written in Dart language and simplifies cross-platform development. Flutter is the best framework for hybrid app development.
Google’s Flutter Android framework employs a 2D rendering engine called Skia to produce visuals similar to material design or the Cupertino style.
Flutter can also be used as a solid test framework. It allows developers to run UI, unit and functionality tests. Flutter’s best-in-class hot reload functionality allows seamless testing without having to restart the application.
Key Features:
- One codebase
- Huge widget library
- Increased time-to-market speed and optimized code development
- Your own rendering engine to render itself onto a platform-provided canvas
- Allows code sharing between target platforms
- The perspective will grow into a fully-fledged cross-platform development tool that can be used for Android, iOS Web browser, Windows, and macOS as well as other platform-specific devices.
Creators who are interested in hybrid app development will primarily use the Flutter Android framework. This framework is used by some of the largest companies in the world, including Google, Alibaba, and eBay. and others, that use this Android framework for launching their mobile applications.
3. Corona SDK
Corona SDK was developed in 2009 and is an excellent software development tool for creating fast apps and games. This cross-platform, general-purpose framework allows for 10x faster development than other Android platforms.
Corona accomplishes this by integrating Lua. This lightweight and multi-paradigm programming language is layered on top of C++/OpenGL, which allows for high speed, usability, and flexibility.
Corona is a popular choice for game developers. It’s free on Mac OS X as well as Windows. Real-time testing support is available.
This Android framework also supports native UI, more than 500 APIs, as well as a dynamic advertising platform for developers. The API suite features include graphics, networking widgets, widgets, and particle effects.
It is easy to integrate Android, Corona SDK is a popular choice for Android app developers. This Android framework, which is currently known as Solar2D, is a cross-platform engine that allows for mobile, desktop, and TV app development.
Key Features:
- It’s easy to get started
- A built-in library that includes over 1000 APIs & plugins
- Cross-platform development is possible for all platforms
- Ability to call any native library including C++, Obj C, Java, or API
- Developers can save tons of time with real-time device testing
- It doesn’t offer an integrated development environment (IDE), but it does provide different plugins that allow you to access specific platforms as per your needs.
This Android framework is well-known as a great choice for game developers. This Android framework is a strong tool for creating general-purpose apps on Android OS. Most notable projects, The following are areas where the Corona SDK is already in use: Warcraft, Angry Birds, The Lost City, Hopiko, Civilization, and others.
4. Framework7
Framework 7 is the newest Android development framework on the market. It’s an open-source MIT-licensed Android framework that offers many useful features to make app launching quick and easy.
It includes almost all of the essential and additional Mobile UI features that can be easily implemented in different projects. Developers love the infinite scroll, lazy loading, pull to refresh, Swiper Slider, and many other great features.
Framework7 is the most popular Android framework for building a PWA (Progressive Web App) according to many developers. It can also be integrated with Cordova to create hybrid mobile apps using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other languages than the standard Android languages like Java, Kotlin, and XML.
The Android framework has an easy-to-use interface and a large user base. It is also regularly updated with newer versions. This is crucial for maintaining a non-disruptive workflow.
Key Features:
- Features many ready-to-use UI elements as well as useful plugins
- It is easy to use and modify
- Allows for a quick start with no delays using jQuery syntax
- Flexible Router API allows dynamic loading of pages using templates
- Built-in helper libraries
- No license fees
This Android framework is ideal for developers who have worked with HTML and CSS and are familiar with JavaScript. Framework7 may not be compatible with all platforms but it is still compatible with the iOS and Google Material concepts. This allows for simple, yet feature-rich mobile app solutions.
5. React Native Framework
React Native, which is supported by Facebook, is an open-source framework. It offers a lot of support for other development tools and IDEs. It is based upon React, a JS library that allows web solutions.
The framework is used by companies like Walmart, Tesla, Airbnb, and many other Fortune 500 firms to create native mobile apps.
React Native APIs can be used on any platform. This allows developers to write code once, and run it wherever they want. This improves speed and reduces costs.
React Native uses similar building blocks to those used in many Android development frameworks. React Native’s hot-reload feature allows developers to link new files and preserve the current state of their app. React Native’s developer community has grown faster than Facebook’s.
Google Trends shows that the Android framework is gaining more popularity over the last few years. Nearly 1600 developers currently use the Native framework.
Key Features:
- App design and development are done within one interface
- Code Push feature – This option allows you to push the app updates instantly, without the user
- needing to consent or reload the app.
- Allows you to integrate third-party plugins
- Using declarative programming makes it much easier to spot bugs
- Hot Reloading allows for faster development of new features and bug fixing
- Possibility to share non-UI dependent codes
This tool makes it easy and quick to launch customized apps. It has been used in thousands upon thousands of apps that have been launched by some of the largest companies such as Tesla, Meta, and Bloomberg.
6. jQuery Mobile Framework
The jQuery mobile framework for Android development, which is HTML5-based, is known for being one of the easiest tools for launching web and mobile applications.
jQuery Mobile’s main feature is its ability to “write code once” and then execute it on multiple platforms including Android, iOS, and Windows.
Developers love that this Android framework allows them to build basic apps in HTML without JavaScript code or minimal effort.
It’s also one of the most used tools for traversal or manipulation with the HTML DOM tree. The jQuery Android framework for Android can simplify many event handling, CSS animation, and Ajax.
The framework also includes a theme system that allows developers to customize the app’s styling to best suit their tastes and preferences. Mobile jQuery is smaller than other Android frameworks (about 40KB when reduced). This makes it one of the most popular frameworks and has helped to create a large community.
Key Features:
- You will find many plugins included, such as Pop-Up Boxes and Image Sliders.
- Compatible with Android, Windows, and other mobile iOS frameworks
- ThemeRoller allows for easier drag-and-drop functionality
- JavaScript simplifies common manipulations
- Use CSS syntax
- Lightweight, when compared to other Android frameworks
Any mobile developer who wants to create robustly, yet well-branded apps that can be used on various smartphones and mobile devices is a great user of the jQuery Framework.
Also read: Top 10 Python Frameworks for Game Development
7. Appcelerator Titanium
Appcelerator Titanium, the best Android framework according to developers, is an open-source platform that allows you to build native apps using a single JavaScript script codebase. Titanium is a popular framework because it allows you to create multi-platform mobile apps with 60%-90% of existing code. To ensure high-performance applications, the framework uses JavaScript programming language.
Titanium is a good choice for developing solid games. Appcelerator Titanium mobile apps can use hardware-specific features such as Android menu buttons, OS-centric controls, and platform-appropriate notifications.
This Android framework currently runs over 345 577,760 applications. It also provides many useful functions such as automated testing of mobile devices, application monitoring, and performance regulation.
Key Features:
- It runs on Windows, Linux, or macOS
- A free, open-source, software development kit (SDK)
- JavaScript language is used to build apps
- Rapid and flexible prototyping speeds up the process of app development
- The high degree of code reuse (60 to 80%).
- Support for the latest OS releases immediately
- This Android framework is designed for developers who work on multiple types of projects with multiple scopes. It features super-fast app development by using one JavaScript codebase.
It provides the same performance and functionality as native API-based mobile apps. Appcelerator Titanium also allows access to native APIs on systems such as Android, iOS, and Universal Windows.
8. Xamarin Framework
Microsoft owns Xamarin, which is an Android framework that has been a leader in the development of native apps. It also provides a common C# codebase, making it a popular tool for developers to create apps for multiple platforms.
Xamarin apps can now be tested on multiple devices using Microsoft’s cloud testing services. Its code-sharing feature is a favorite among developers as it reduces the time it takes to code and eliminates bugs during the software development process.
is a better Android framework than other ones. Xamarin has been used by 1.4 Million developers in 120 countries. It is one of the most popular cross-platform frameworks.
Xamarin was integrated into Visual Studio IDE. This made it easier for large companies to use this framework in sectors like healthcare and energy. Although Xamarin is an Android framework that has been around for a while now, the number of people using it has increased significantly over the years compared to other Android frameworks.
Key Features:
- Native user interfaces. No switching between environments
- One language for C#
- Allows you to add components to your apps directly from the IDE with Xamarin Component Store
- Allows you to share code from 60% to 95% across multiple mobile development platforms using Xamarin.Forms interface
- Provides extensive testing methods, and also tracks app performance and UI using Xamarin Test Cloud or Xamarin Test Recorder tools
- Microsoft Support provides technical support and continuous technical assistance that can quickly resolve any issue.
This tool is ideal for developers who need reusable, yet shareable code solutions that can be tested on different platforms. It also allows you to create cross-platform Android apps using C# language in one interface.
9. NativeScript Framework
NativeScript is a top framework to develop hybrid apps. It’s a free, open-source framework that allows developers to create applications with TypeScript, Vue, and Angular. Telerik, a Bulgarian software firm, supports this Android framework. NativeScript allows developers to reuse plugins in their projects, from Gradle to CocoaPods.
This framework allows web developers with knowledge in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to create outstanding NativeScript apps.
NativeScript is a great choice for Android app development because it integrates the native platform’s offering engine with UIs. This results in native-like UIs as well as high performance. NativeScript enables high-performance native platform APIs with JS running on the UI thread.
Key Features:
- Different sign-on options allow for easy authentication
- LiveSync and Webpack can be used simultaneously
- Different types of frames can be used in an app
- JavaScript implements platform-specific APIs, which eliminates the need to learn Cordova plugs
- Automated generating splash screens and icons based on high-resolution images
- Ability to interact with third-party libraries
This framework is ideal for specialists who wish to launch multiple apps on different platforms. It also saves time and money. This framework is used mainly by B2B-oriented tech businesses and companies like Symantec and Xerox.
10. Sencha Touch for Android
Sencha Touch focuses on native Android apps. It is often voted the best Android development platform by the community.
Sencha Touch makes it possible to create dynamic, comprehensive apps using JavaScript and HTML5. Sencha Touch is a development framework that enables Android apps to be built with high performance hardware acceleration techniques.
Key Features:
This new android framework allows you to create captivating mobile apps with over 50 UI elements and native theme.
The apps also get unique features like richness of fluid animations, and smooth moving.
Sencha Touch has been praised by many large businesses for its high level of compatibility and responsive touch features as well as its quick execution.
Conclusion
There are many Android frameworks available, each offering its own features and capabilities for different types of apps. Any of these frameworks can be the best for your idea development, as they are used by some of the most powerful tech companies in the world.
To launch an app, you need to think about the framework for Android development that you will use. You will almost always need the assistance of mobile application development services to help you implement the most creative ideas within an Android app product.
