- Home
- Mobile Development IDEs
- Codename One
Codename One
What it is
Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building native apps from a shared codebase. Listed targets include Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux, and Windows. Its toolkit draws its own UI components and packages the runtime and theme with the application. Developers can call platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed views such as maps, web views, and camera surfaces. Projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code, or another Maven-capable IDE. Documented sign-in options cover OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication. Security guidance includes secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs. The free cloud tier includes 100 build credits per month, with iOS cloud builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit. Paid plans start at $25/user/mo (annual), and a 14-day trial is listed. Commercial use is available without royalties or per-app fees.
For and against
For
- Targets Android, iOS, macOS, web, Linux, and Windows.
- Native interfaces provide access to platform SDKs.
- Maven projects work with several IDEs.
- Commercial use has no royalties or per-app fees.
- Security guidance includes certificate pinning and encryption.
Against
- Free cloud tier has 100 build credits monthly.
- Each iOS cloud build uses eight credits.
- Free user JAR limit is 8.5 MB.
- Paid plans start at $25/user/mo (annual).
The verdict
Codename One offers a shared Java and Kotlin codebase with multiple app targets and native platform access. The free cloud tier has build and JAR limits; paid plans start at $25/user/mo (annual).
Who it suits
Codename One suits Java and Kotlin developers who want to build apps for multiple platforms from one codebase. Its free tier may suit projects within the monthly build-credit and JAR limits.
Plans and prices
Free
100 cloud-build credits/month · 8 credits per iOS cloud build · 8.5 MB user JAR · JavaScript cloud/local builds
Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Basic
Unlimited build credits · native sources · 50 MB JAR · 5,000 push notifications/month
Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Pro
Everything in Basic · concurrent builds · Crash Protection · 1 million push notifications/month
Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Enterprise
Everything in Pro · high-priority builds and CI · on-device tests · 10 million push notifications/month
Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
On the record
- API size
- The published client API reference lists 2,181 documented types across 182 packages.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- API surface
- Documented APIs include advertising, analytics, AI inference, language, vision, push, security and many platform integrations.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- App targets
- The listed targets include Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux, and Windows.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Authentication integrations
- The identity guide documents OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, Firebase Authentication and passkeys/WebAuthn.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Authentication security
- The security implementation exposes portable hashing and HMAC plus native-provider AES, RSA, ECDSA and secure-random operations.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Build privacy
- The pricing FAQ says normal builds do not send source code to the cloud, while native platform sources may be uploaded when required for native compilation.beta.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Build workflow
- Current projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code, or another Maven-capable IDE.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Commercial use
- The framework is available for commercial use without royalties or per-app fees.beta.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Company history
- Codename One's press page lists its initial release as 2012 and says its open-source project began in 2007 within Sun Microsystems.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Company legal name
- The official site footer identifies the maker as Codename One LTD.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The Developer Guide covers getting started, UI, data, networking, server-side work, platform services, AI, security, monetization, testing, shipping and platform guides.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Enterprise security feature
- App Shield is an Enterprise feature that issues short-lived attestation tokens based on server-side verification of Apple App Attest and Google Play Integrity statements.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Free limits
- The free cloud tier has 100 build credits per month, with iOS builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit.beta.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Independent company profile
- LinkedIn lists Codename One as privately held, founded in 2012, headquartered in Tel Aviv and employing 2–10 people.linkedin.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent workflow review
- Baeldung describes Codename One as Maven-based, cloud-assisted, scriptable through CI and able to target iOS, Android, JavaScript, Windows and macOS.baeldung.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented sign-in stack covers OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication.codenameone.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License
- The framework is licensed GPLv2 with the Classpath Exception and permits commercial use without royalties.codenameone.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: documentation and compatibility
- G2 reviewers report missing documentation, occasional platform discrepancies and the need for extra error checks.g2.com · read 14 Oct 2026
