According to Statista, the number of apps available in the top app stores as of the first quarter of 2020 is:

• Google PlayStore- 2.56 million apps for Android users
• Apple’s App Store- 1.85 million apps for iOS users

Another market research Statista unveils that smartphones running Android OS is expected to hold an 86.2 % share of the global market in 2022, while the same for iOS is 13.8%.

The latest statistics reveal the popularity of Android over other operating systems available in the market. And the rising popularity of the OS is also increasing the demand of Android developers as well as Android development Companies that can build unique and creative applications for the users.

These companies are using various development tools to ensure that the Android apps can be developed in less time and minimal effort. And, if you too want to try your hands on Android app development, then check out the seven best Android development tools that have been given in this article.

What are the best Android development tools?

• Android Studio
• Android SDK
• B4A
• Android Debug Bridge
• Eclipse
• Fabric
• Stetho

Let’s read about them in detail:

Android Studio

Android Studio has everything a developer needs to develop an Android application. The tool not only amplifies the development speed but also helps the developers to create quality applications for different devices. Some of the remarkable features of this official IDE for Google’s Android include:

• Smart code editor
• Fast simulator
• Visual layout
• Flexible build system
• APK analyzer
• Real-time analyzer

Android SDK (Software Development Kit)

Android SDK comprises a full set of debugging and development tools. This development kit is made of modular packages that can be downloaded individually with the help of the Android SDK manager. The Android SDK toolkit includes:

• Google API
• SDK examples
• Android SDK resources
• Android Support
• SDK platform-tools
• SDK tools and documentation

B4A or Basic4Android

B4A is a simple yet powerful tool that has its similarities with the Visual Basic language. Made for both beginners and the experts, this Android app development environment compiles code into Android native applications without using any other runtime environment. Basic4Android offers various an interpreter and IDE to help developers build Android apps in any simple programming language. Some of the key features of this Android development tool include:

• A visual editor
• Assists in developing apps using a basic programming language
• Wireless debugging

Android Debug Bridge

It is one of the most common Android development tools used the developers. Android debug bridge can be rightly considered as a client-server program that comprises of:

• A daemon (adbd)- to run commands on a device
• A server- to manage communication between the ADBD and the client
• A client- to send commands

The tool comes as a part of the Android SDK platform-tools package. To download it, you need to use the SDK Manager that gets installed on android_sdk/platform-tools.

Eclipse

This open-source Java-based IDE was mainly developed to create Java apps. However, using plugins, such as C, ABAP, C++, Ada, and more, developers can also develop apps in other languages. The developers mainly use this tool to develop Android and cross-platform applications. Different packages offered Eclipse include:

• Mylyn Task List
• Eclipse Gift Team Provider
• Eclipse Java Development Tools

Fabric

Fabric is another popular Android development tool that helps developers:

• to build better Android applications
• to know about the targeted audience in real-time
• to use analytical data for the growth and success of the business

Right from the development and release of the application to maintenance and support, the tool offers a full and real-time performance of the app. The most popular social networking application, Twitter, have used this Android development tool while developing the mobile app.

Stetho

Stetho works as a debug bridge and is one of the most common tools. Using Stetho, developers can access Chrome Developer tools and connects Chrome, debugs, and the Android applications with it.  Some of the key features of Stetho include:

• JavaScript Console
• Network and database inspection
• Dumpapp
• Check Hierarchy

Conclusion

Try out these seven Android app development tools to build a feature-rich, robust, and scalable application for startup or enterprise. These tools will help you to reduce development efforts, achieve flawlessness in the app, and complete your project within the given time constraints and budget. In case, if you do not want to develop an Android application on your own, then reach out to a reliable custom mobile app development company with your specific app requirements. You can also hire Android developers if you want a developer on an hourly or fixed monthly basis.