Codename One suits Java and Kotlin developers who want to build apps for multiple platforms from one codebase.
Free plan Free trial Open source From $25 a month, billed yearly AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux+2
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Best Mobile Development IDEs 2026
Facts read 24 Sep 2026 – 14 Nov 2026
Mobile development IDEs help you write, design, run and package apps for phones and tablets. This list helps buyers compare tools before choosing a workflow for Android, iOS or both.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Codename One | Codename One suits Java and Kotlin developers who want to build apps for multiple platforms from one codebase. | 6.8 | $25 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 02 Felgo | Cross-platform framework for apps on mobile devices, desktop systems and the web. | 6.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 03 GeneXus | Low-code platform that uses AI to create and update software from a Knowledge Base. | 6.6 | $99 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 04 Unity | Engine for creating video games and immersive apps from 3D and CAD data across major platforms. | 6.6 | $2,310 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 21 Oct 2026 |
| 05 Monaca | Cloud IDE and hybrid mobile platform for HTML5, JavaScript and Apache Cordova apps. | 6.3 | $22 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 2 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Qt Creator | Qt Creator may suit developers creating applications across desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser targets. | 6.2 | €546 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 07 Xojo | Xojo suits developers building for mobile, desktop, or web who want to use one programming language across platforms. | 6.2 | $499 one-time | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 08 B4X | B4X may suit developers building across mobile, desktop, server, and IoT targets. | 5.9 | $59 one-time | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Windows, Mac | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 09 Solar2D | Free open-source engine for building Android, iOS, desktop and web projects. | 5.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 9 Oct 2026 |
| 10 Defold | Free development engine for projects exported to Android, iOS, desktop and web. | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 2 Oct 2026 |
Compare the free plan, paid starting price, mobile targets, desktop platforms, emulator or simulator support, visual UI designer, app packaging and supported languages. Check licence terms and trial access before you commit.
02
Felgo
Cross-platform framework for apps on mobile devices, desktop systems and the web.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Record6.6 Visit
03
GeneXus
Low-code platform that uses AI to create and update software from a Knowledge Base.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Record6.6 Visit
04
Unity
Engine for creating video games and immersive apps from 3D and CAD data across major platforms.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+4 Record6.6 Visit
05
Monaca
Cloud IDE and hybrid mobile platform for HTML5, JavaScript and Apache Cordova apps.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Record6.3 Visit
6
Qt Creator
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 €546 a year Record6.2 Visit Qt Creator may suit developers creating applications across desktop, embedded, mobile, and browser targets.
7
Xojo
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 $499 one-time Record6.2 Visit Xojo suits developers building for mobile, desktop, or web who want to use one programming language across platforms.
8
B4X
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+2 $59 one-time Record5.9 Visit B4X may suit developers building across mobile, desktop, server, and IoT targets.
9
Solar2D
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record5.8 Visit Free open-source engine for building Android, iOS, desktop and web projects.
10
Defold
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+4 Free plan Record5.5 Visit Free development engine for projects exported to Android, iOS, desktop and web.
11
Godot Engine
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Free plan Record5.5 Visit Free open-source engine for building projects with Android, iOS, desktop and web exports.
12
LiveCode
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 $36 a month, billed yearly Record5.5 Visit Visual platform for web and native apps using layouts, workflows, LiveCode Script and data collections.
13
MobileTogether Designer
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 $1,000 a year Record5.5 Visit Rapid framework for data-driven native mobile and enterprise apps with visual design and programming.
14
Visual Studio
WindowsAPI Free plan Record5.5 Visit Visual Studio suits developers building apps, services or games for Windows and the listed web, cloud and cross-platform targets.
15
C++Builder
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+1 Free plan Record5.4 Visit It suits C++ developers building native applications, particularly Windows applications, who want integrated visual components, database connectivity, and build tools.
16
Cocos Creator
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Free plan Record5.4 Visit Cocos Creator may suit developers building games or other interactive content for web, desktop, and mobile targets.
17
AIDE
Android $2.99 one-time Record5.3 Visit Android development environment for making Android, Java and PhoneGap apps on Android devices.
18
DroidScript
AndroidWebWindows+3 Free plan Record5.3 Visit DroidScript may suit people who want to create Android apps using JavaScript or Python, including those who want offline access.
20
GameMaker
AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+2 $79.99 a month Record5.2 Visit GameMaker may suit people building games for the listed desktop, web, mobile, or console targets.
22
Cocos Creator
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record5.1 Visit Open-source 2D and 3D game engine and content platform with TypeScript scripting and an extensible editor.
23
Xcode Cloud
iPhone & iPadWebMac $49.99 a month Record5.1 Visit Cloud CI/CD built into Xcode that builds committed code, runs tests and reports results in Xcode and App Store Connect.
24
B4i
iPhone & iPadWindowsMac $26 a year Record4.8 Visit Development tool for native iOS applications, with a WYSIWYG designer and reusable Android and iOS code.
25
Ionic Framework
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Free plan Record4.8 Visit Open-source UI toolkit for mobile apps and websites built with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Before you choose
Start with the licence and price
Check whether a tool has a free plan, a paid starting price or a time-limited trial. Pricing models on the list include free, freemium and paid options.
If you need to read or change the code, review the licence terms as well as the price.
Match the mobile targets
Confirm that the IDE supports the phone and tablet platforms you plan to ship for. Android and iOS appear as separate comparison fields.
A tool that targets one mobile platform may not fit a project that needs both.
Check your computer platform
Compare desktop support for Windows, macOS and Linux. Web-based tools also appear in the platform comparison.
Choose a setup that fits the computer you use for development and the systems your team can access.
Review the build workflow
Look for emulator or simulator support, visual UI design tools and app-packaging features. These fields show how a tool handles common steps from layout to installable app.
Read the tool's own feature details before relying on a workflow.
Confirm language support
Supported languages are a separate comparison field. Match that field to the language used by your project or the code you plan to maintain.
Tools on the list include options such as Godot Engine, Unity, AIDE and Codename One, so compare their language details rather than assuming they work alike.
Questions
Do these IDEs have free plans?
The list records a free plan for tools where the maker publishes one. It also records paid starting prices and trial periods when listed.
Can I use these tools for Android and iOS?
Android and iOS are separate mobile-target fields. Check the entry for the platforms your app needs before choosing a tool.
Which desktop systems are supported?
Windows, macOS and Linux are compared as desktop platforms. Web access is also tracked as a platform field.
Do the IDEs include visual UI design?
Visual UI designer support is one of the comparison fields. Check the individual tool entry for its recorded capability.
Can an IDE package my app?
App packaging is a listed comparison field. Review the tool's entry to see how that capability is recorded.
How do I compare supported languages?
Supported languages are listed for comparison. Match that information to the language used by your project before you start.
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