Best Mobile Development IDEs in 2026
Updated
In short: B4X is ranked #1 of 37 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Codename One and Monaca. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Codename One. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Codename One at $2.08/mo.
Building a mobile app can involve code, interface work, testing, and packaging, so the right IDE depends on the shape of your project. Compare mobile targets and supported languages with desktop platforms to check what each option can accommodate. Emulator or simulator support and a visual UI designer may also influence how you prefer to develop and test. App packaging, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing add practical considerations. B4X, Godot Engine, and Monaca are among the named options to examine; Codename One and Defold offer further points of comparison. Consider which capabilities matter across your workflow, from initial interface work to preparing an app for distribution.
37 mobile development IDEs ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 B4X iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.7Free Mobile targets: Android, iOSDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 2 Codename One iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.6$2.08/mo Mobile targets: Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOSDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 3 Monaca iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.5$22/mo Mobile targets: Android, iOS, WindowsDesktop platforms: Windows, macOSEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 4 Felgo iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.4Free Mobile targets: Android, iOSDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 5 Smartface iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.2 Mobile targets: iOS, AndroidDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 6 DroidScript Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.1Free Mobile targets: Android, Amazon Fire, ChromeOSDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- 7 Xojo iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.8 Mobile targets: iOS, AndroidDesktop platforms: macOS, Windows, LinuxEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 8 Xcode Cloud iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.7$49.99/mo
- 9 Qt Creator iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.4Free
- 10 AIDE Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3 Mobile targets: Android, PhoneGap/Cordova
- 11 GeneXus iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.2Free
- 12 Swift Playgrounds iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1 Mobile targets: iOS, iPadOSDesktop platforms: macOS
- 13 Code on the Go Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0 Mobile targets: Android
- 14 Godot Engine iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0Free
- 15 B4i iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7 Mobile targets: iOSDesktop platforms: WindowsEmulator or simulator: Yes
- 16 Defold iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5Free
- 17 Unity iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5Free Desktop platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- 18 LiveCode iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Mobile targets: iOS, AndroidDesktop platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- 19 CodeAssist Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Mobile targets: Android
- 20 Solar2D iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3Free
- 21 GameMaker iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3$79.99/mo
- 22 JCode Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Mobile targets: AndroidEmulator or simulator: No
- 23 Sketchware Pro Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Mobile targets: Android
- 24 RiSETiDEx Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Mobile targets: Android
- 25 Visual Studio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9Free
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which mobile development IDE is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
B4X is ranked #1 of 37 with a score of 9.7. Codename One is second and Monaca third.
How many of these have a free plan?
14 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Codename One has the lowest first paid tier we found: $2.08/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.