What Is the Best Language for App Development?

Choosing the right mobile app programming languages can feel overwhelming when you're starting your app development journey. Trust me, I've been there! Over my years working with clients at Glance, I've seen plenty of people get stuck on this decision—and honestly, it's understandable why.

The thing is, there isn't really a single "best" language that works for every project. What works brilliantly for a simple iOS app might be completely wrong for a complex cross-platform solution. I've watched teams waste months (and lots of money) because they picked the wrong approach from the start.

The best programming language is the one that gets your specific app built efficiently and maintains it successfully over time

Throughout this guide, we'll explore the most popular mobile app development languages and frameworks—from native options like Swift and Kotlin to cross-platform solutions like React Native and Flutter. You'll learn when each one makes sense, what the trade-offs are, and how to make the right choice for your particular project. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which direction to take, whether you're building for iOS, Android, or both platforms simultaneously.

Understanding Mobile App Programming Languages

When I first started developing mobile apps, the choice of programming language felt overwhelming—there were so many options and everyone seemed to have strong opinions about which was best. The truth is, there isn't a single "perfect" language; each one has strengths and weaknesses that make it better suited for different types of projects.

Think of programming languages as different tools in a toolbox. You wouldn't use a hammer to tighten a screw, and you wouldn't choose the same programming language for every app project. Some languages are brilliant for creating fast, responsive apps that work seamlessly with a phone's camera or GPS; others excel at building apps that work across multiple platforms without needing separate versions.

What Makes Languages Different

Programming languages differ in several key ways that affect your app development:

• Speed of development—how quickly you can build your app
• Performance—how smoothly your app runs on devices
• Platform support—whether it works on iPhone, Android, or both
• Learning curve—how easy it is for developers to master
• Community support—availability of help and resources

The language you choose will shape everything from development time to user experience, so understanding these differences is the first step in making the right decision for your project.

Native vs Cross-Platform Development Languages

When I'm chatting with clients about mobile app programming languages, this question comes up every single time: should we go native or cross-platform? And honestly, I get why people are confused—there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. Let me break it down for you in simple terms.

Native development means writing separate code for each platform. So if you want your app on both iOS and Android, you're looking at two different sets of code using different mobile programming languages. iOS apps are built with Swift or Objective-C, whilst Android uses Java or Kotlin. Yes, it's more work upfront, but the performance is usually spot-on and you get access to every feature the phone has to offer.

The Cross-Platform Alternative

Cross-platform solutions like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin let you write code once and deploy it everywhere. Sounds brilliant, right? Well, it can be—but there are trade-offs. You might hit limitations when trying to access specific device features, and sometimes the performance isn't quite as smooth as native apps.

Don't choose based on what's trendy. Think about your app's specific needs first—will it use complex device features? Do you need lightning-fast performance? Your answers will guide you to the right choice.

The best coding languages for mobile development really depend on your project goals, timeline, and budget. There's no universal "best" option here—just the best option for your particular situation.

iOS Development Languages — Swift and Objective-C

When Apple opened up iOS development to the masses, they gave us two main languages to work with—Objective-C and Swift. Now, I'll be honest with you, Objective-C has been around much longer and was the original language for building iPhone apps. It's a bit like learning to drive in an old manual car; once you get the hang of it, you can build anything you want, but the learning curve can be steep.

Swift Takes Centre Stage

Then Apple introduced Swift, and everything changed. Swift was designed to be easier to read and write—think of it as Apple's way of making iOS development more approachable. The code looks cleaner, it's faster to write, and you're less likely to make those annoying mistakes that crash your app. Most new iOS projects use Swift these days, and for good reason.

Which One Should You Choose?

Here's the thing—if you're starting a brand new iOS app, Swift is almost always the way to go. It's what Apple is pushing forward with, and the development community has embraced it wholeheartedly. Objective-C isn't going anywhere soon though; there are millions of apps still running on it, and some developers prefer its flexibility. But unless you have a specific reason to use Objective-C, Swift will serve you better in the long run.

Android Development Languages — Java and Kotlin

When it comes to Android development, you've got two main languages to choose from—Java and Kotlin. Java has been around for ages and was the original choice for Android development. I've built countless Android apps with Java over the years, and whilst it's reliable and well-documented, it can be quite verbose. You end up writing a lot of code to do relatively simple things.

Java: The Traditional Choice

Java is like the reliable friend who's always there when you need them. It's been the backbone of Android development since the platform launched, which means there's tons of documentation, tutorials, and community support available. The learning curve isn't too steep either—many developers already know Java from other projects.

Kotlin: The Modern Alternative

Then along came Kotlin, and honestly, it changed everything for Android development. Google made it their preferred language for Android, and for good reason. Kotlin is fully compatible with Java but much more concise—you can often write half the code to achieve the same result.

Kotlin eliminates much of the boilerplate code that makes Java feel cumbersome, whilst maintaining all the performance benefits

If you're starting a new Android project today, I'd recommend Kotlin without hesitation. It's more enjoyable to work with, less prone to common programming errors, and Google is pushing it hard with new Android features and libraries.

Cross-Platform Solutions — React Native, Flutter and Xamarin

When I first started working with cross-platform frameworks, I'll be honest—I was sceptical. The idea of writing code once and having it work on both iOS and Android seemed too good to be true. But after years of using these tools, I can tell you they've changed how we approach mobile development entirely.

React Native and Flutter Lead the Pack

React Native, created by Facebook, lets you build apps using JavaScript and React. It's brilliant because many web developers already know these technologies, making the learning curve much gentler. Flutter, Google's offering, uses a language called Dart and provides incredibly smooth animations—something that really matters when users are swiping through your app.

Then there's Xamarin, Microsoft's solution that uses C#. Whilst it's powerful, it hasn't gained the same momentum as the other two; React Native and Flutter have simply captured more developer hearts.

The Real Benefits

The biggest advantage? You write your code once and deploy it everywhere. This means faster development times and lower costs—music to any client's ears! But here's what I've learned: cross-platform doesn't mean compromise anymore. These frameworks can produce apps that feel genuinely native, with performance that matches what users expect. Sure, there are still edge cases where native development makes more sense, but for most projects, cross-platform solutions deliver excellent results.

Choosing the Right Language for Your Project

After years of building apps for clients who range from tech startups to global brands, I can tell you that picking the right mobile app programming languages isn't about following trends—it's about understanding your project's specific needs. The best coding languages mobile developers use today each have their sweet spots, and your choice should align with your goals, timeline, and budget.

Start by defining your target audience and platforms before selecting your development language. A clear understanding of whether you need iOS-only, Android-only, or cross-platform reach will immediately narrow down your options.

Key Factors to Consider

When comparing app development languages, several factors should guide your decision. Your development timeline matters—cross-platform solutions like Flutter or React Native can get you to market faster if you need both iOS and Android apps. Your team's existing skills play a huge role too; there's no point choosing Swift if your developers are Java experts and you're working with a tight deadline.

Budget constraints often dictate the path forward. Native development using iOS Android development languages separately costs more but delivers the best performance and user experience. Cross-platform development reduces costs but might require compromises.

Making the Final Decision

The mobile programming landscape offers excellent options for every project type. Focus on your specific requirements rather than what's popular, and you'll make the right choice for your app's success.

Conclusion

After eight years of building apps for clients ranging from tech startups to major brands, I can tell you there's no single "best" programming language for app development—sorry to disappoint! What I've learned is that the right choice depends entirely on your specific project needs, budget, timeline, and long-term goals.

If you're building for just one platform and want the best performance, native languages like Swift for iOS or Kotlin for Android are your friends. They give you access to every feature the platform offers and typically run faster than cross-platform alternatives. But here's the thing—they also cost more and take longer to develop since you're essentially building two separate apps.

Cross-platform solutions like React Native and Flutter have come a long way; I use them regularly for clients who need to launch quickly on both platforms without breaking the bank. Yes, you might sacrifice some performance or access to brand-new platform features, but for most apps, this trade-off makes perfect sense.

My advice? Start by defining what success looks like for your app, then work backwards to choose the language that gets you there most efficiently. Don't get caught up in what's trendy—pick what works for your situation.