How to Choose the Best Technology Stack for Mobile App Development

Tags: webdev, android, ios
Published: 2021-02-18 17:10:26

Mobile apps continue to gain prominence in the business world. If you are considering developing exciting and functional apps, you will want to make a wise decision while choosing your technology stack. This article provides some tips that can help you choose the best technology stack for mobile app development.

The technology stack is famous, even among beginners in the mobile application development world.

Regardless of the mobile app development process, you are going to use; it’s impossible to turn fruitful until you combine a strong technology stack set.

With the early definition and integration of technology, entrepreneurs easily achieve their business objectives.

In this article, our primary focus is the tech stack for mobile app development and the tech stacks that help power the app based on their type.

Mobile Development Technology Stack Defined
A technology stack comprises all the technologies, tools, and frameworks you will use during mobile app development. This will include programming languages, development platforms (e.g., Android), data storage, security management, and user interface design tool, among other web services. This tech stack has been divided into four major categories: the areas that constitute an application’s anatomy.

Choosing the right stack:
If you are developing a simple application, it is easy to choose the right stack since most of them are free and open-source that can be downloaded from anywhere on the Internet. However, things are not always so straightforward when developing an application that requires high performance and cost-saving features. In such cases, it is best to consider the following tips during your selection process.

Consider the Current State of the Industry and Tools
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the various technologies used in mobile app development. This will help you understand their application development capabilities and devise a strategy that can be implemented quickly. You can subscribe to technical magazines and read various blogs to make the best decisions.

Network Scalability
You must evaluate the load your application will experience during peak and non-peak hours. Suppose you need a mobile application that works well over different networks. In that case, it is best to opt for a technology stack that has been tested over multiple networks and operating systems.

Data Storage
A technology stack should have data storage solutions that can be customized depending on your needs. It is best to choose a technology stack with web services and cloud storage applications, but not all of them offer the same features.

Security
You must evaluate the security features of the different stacks for mobile application development. You need to consider factors such as data encryption and storage and user management. Data protection should be paramount in your decision-making process.

User Experience
Another significant aspect to consider when choosing a stack is the user experience. You should, therefore, evaluate the construction and design of every technology stack for mobile application development. This will give you an idea about how every part of your app will function. You must know how each system has been set up and what limitations have ensured a high-security level in each system.

Below are the four components of one Technology stack:
Front-end Development – this is an interface where users actively interact with the application.

Back-end Development – Accepts user-input, processes, and produces an output.

Development Platform is where libraries and interfaces are pictured for the mobile application’s design and development.

Additional – These are the technological elements affecting app security, robustness, and performance.

Why is it vital to use the Best Tech Stack for Mobile App?
Several elements are dependent on the right selection of a mobile app tech stack. Choosing the technology stack of mobile application wrongly negatively affects future growth and current performance.

Best Tech Stack for Mobile App

Easy to Maintain:
Technology stack plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of any application. You should choose a technology stack that allows you to make changes easily and quickly. When your business model changes, you need the flexibility of making last-minute changes in your application. This can only be possible if your tech stack is easy to maintain.

Low Cost:
Another reason for choosing the best tech stack is that it helps you save money during app development and maintenance. When you analyze the cost factor, it is better to check out the latest technology stacks in your market. You should have a comparison of your options before choosing the best tech stack. It is advisable to keep in mind that you need to choose an option that can provide all the required features for your application at an affordable cost. This is especially important when you are developing mobile apps for small and medium enterprises.

Best Performance:
When you are building an application, your needs and preferences matter a lot. You should be able to choose the technology stack that provides the best performance for your requirements. If you want your app to have high performance along with superior features, you may select Java or .NET Web development technologies. If you want a mobile app with low memory consumption and fewer resources, you should go for cross-platform technologies like Mono, Xamarin, or Cordova. These options provide the best performance for your application.

Repeatable:
When something happens to your software, it can be frustrating. It is crucial to know that it is possible to repeatedly recreate the same application after a certain number of changes have been made. You should make sure that the technology stack allows you to make changes in various versions easily.

Best Compatibility:
It is vital to ensure smooth interaction between the client application and the server-side during mobile app development. The technology stack must have the right mix of tools to provide the best compatibility for your requirements. It should be easy to use and implement.

Native App Technology Stack
These are famous for their performance and robustness. The quality standards to be achieved by a business throughout their mobile journey are found in Native App Development. Native Apps also allow enterprises to integrate some of the in-built functions for the particular device.

When addressing native apps, we have to consider iOS and android app development. These platforms call for different technology stacks because they have distinct capabilities.

Commonly used mobile app technology stack includes:
Android Tech Stack
The Android programming language is developed and maintained by Google. The Android platform comprises open source components, allowing developers to use a wide variety of third-party open-source software. Thus, the Android App Market contains many apps that have received reviews from users. Since there many apps in the market, it can be hard to find the best app for your business needs. However, all developers know that some review sites such as AppShopper have plans to automate this process for developers and users.

iOS Tech Stack
The iOS development environment is one of the most widely used application development platforms. The platform is used to develop apps that can be run on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. There are many tools and programming languages available in the online market, including RubyMotion, Java, PhoneGap, etc. Thus, iOS technology attracts developers who are seeking a wide variety of options to choose from. However, it is crucial to select an option that allows you to develop high-quality and functional apps.

Android SDK
Android SDK is the software development kit, which is available free of cost. The SDK consists of different tools and technologies, including Android Studio, Eclipse plugin, command-line tools, etc. These components help developers build apps that can be used on any device running on the Android platform.

iOS SDK
The iOS software development kit provides various tools and technologies that enable developers to create commercial grade apps. The SDK incorporates Xcode and Interface Builder.

Hybrid App Technology Stack:
Hybrid app technology provides a mixture of both Android and iOS technologies. This allows developers to create apps that work on both platforms. Thus, hybrid app technology saves developers from the hassle of switching between two different application development platforms. The iOS SDK is available free of cost, and you can download it via the developer portal provided by Apple Inc.

Cross-Platform App Tech Stack:
The cross-platform app technology allows developers to create apps that can function across different devices and platforms. Thus, it is considered the best software development option for creating apps that are compatible with most devices. However, it is important to take experts who can provide you with proper advice regarding this option.

Tips:

1) Plan effectively:
To select the best technology stack for your app, first decide your mobile app development project’s objective. You need to have a clear vision of what you want your mobile app to do. Plan the features that are required and list them in order of priority. This will help you get rid of technical issues to a great extent during the development phase.

2) Look for open-source alternatives:
If your project is a small one, look for open source alternatives because they are cost-effective and easy to maintain. Open-source frameworks like PhoneGap, Titanium, Appcelerator, etc., are perfect for mobile app development. They offer several features and are easy to reuse.

3) Select practical tools:
The tools used in the development process directly impact your app’s quality. This implies that the tools should support your standards and requirements and not lead you to technical issues during development.

4) Beware of legal issues:
Make sure that the technology stack is well suited for your business domain, and the legal aspects need to be taken care of properly before implementation.

5) Consider scalability and future expansion of the app:
You should also consider scalability and future expansion. If you plan to increase the number of users for your mobile app, keep in mind that it will be challenging. You must avoid the problems of improving the memory, disk space, and other related issues.

6) Select programming languages:
When choosing a programming language for your app, always follow the latest trend. You can select a popular language like C++ or Java for business apps because they are reliable and have good library support, ensuring good platform compatibility. If you want to create games with your mobile apps, choose cross-platform languages like Flash, Unity3D, etc., to boost their popularity.

7) Put performance in your mind:
Performance should always be a priority when developing an app. You must avoid the issues of memory leaks and other technical problems.

8) Get familiar with mobile infrastructure:
Mobile infrastructure is the key to mobile app development success. To get proficient in this field, you must get familiar with it. This can help you avoid issues during development and also help you plan better for future expansion.

9) Look for mobile standards:
Mobile app development has been a popular one for quite some time now. You must consider the mobile platforms and their development projects when you are selecting your technology stack.

10) Learn from others’ mistakes:
You must be aware of what others have done up to this point in time and take advantage of their mistakes so that you do not end up in trouble. Take time to learn from the issues of others and plan your mobile app development strategy accordingly.

11) Design the mobile app first:
Always design your mobile app first. This can help you avoid issues with your technology stack because you will focus on the core aspect of your project without worrying about the intricacies of other things.

12) Select a technology stack that fits your business:
Last but not least, you need to select a technology stack that includes your business requirements. These things can help you make the right decision.

Originally written by: https://www.aalpha.net/blog/best-technology-stack-for-mobile-app-development/