How to create the app on Android – all the nuances

These days, all portable devices support different operating systems. For both startups and large corporations, there is one question: which platform to focus on when developing a new application? The answer is hidden in numbers.

So, in 2020, there were recorded 3.2 billion mobile users, and 2.5 billion were working on the Android OS.

In the coming years, creating an application for Android will be popular as it brings many benefits to companies and their customers. Here are some key details to help you understand the benefits of the platform chosen:

Flexibility: native apps for Android are developed using the programming language of Java. Because of this, they have a fairly flexible structure that can be ported to other operating systems like Ubuntu and Blackberry.
Google Play Store: did you know that users spend 90% of their mobile experience downloading apps? Google Play Store is one of the largest platforms for hosting and installing applications for business, health, education, etc. You can create an Android app, add it to the store, and get thousands of downloads with happy users.
Profitability: many say Apple customers are spending more money on apps. The latest data showed that in most categories, Android apps are no less cost-effective. They also have paid packages that are in high demand in the market.

As you can see, there are many benefits to developing Android products. However, there are nuances that you need to take into account.

How to create an app for Android

After convinced of the benefits and profitability of Android products, you need to create your own application and grab the attention of users. To do it right without wasting time, you should pay attention to a few details.

Before reading about the Android app creation algorithm, define your target audience and their needs. Remember that your application must solve certain problems (booking a hotel, buying a book, or something else). Then choose the right app design because there are dozens of competitors in any niche. Surely, you need something unique to grab the attention of your customers.

Finally, the product should be user-friendly, so developers need to consider navigation options while creating an Android app. After following these recommendations, you can proceed to the next question.

What programming languages are used for Android apps?

The mobile app market generates billions of dollars every year, and it is one of the most promising niches on the Internet. Regardless of the fact that you are developing a new game or business program, you are likely to achieve amazing results.

If you are going to create an Android application, you have a variety of coding languages to choose from. Some are general-purpose, while others are for specific functions. Choosing the right language for building your application can seem like a daunting choice, so we will try and clear it up a bit.

Below there are the most popular tools, and you can use this list as a guide.

Java. Before Android app creation, you will find many guidelines for using Java. This time-tested programming language works great on mobile and desktop platforms. Java is used for almost all types of apps because it allows developers to code an entire program, and it works in a “write once – run anywhere” approach. Put it simply: create Java code once and run it anywhere that platform is supported.
Kotlin. How to develop an Android app with Kotlin? It does not take much time. Even though this is still a new programming language in the Android environment, it is very popular among developers. It is a cross-platform, statically typed, and versatile tool for building efficient apps. Compared to Java, Kotlin has shorter code, easier text entry, and more security features. Jetbrains claims Kotlin is used in 60% of the top 1000 Android projects.

There are many other coding languages, including Lua, C/C++, C #, but despite this, Kotlin and Java are two of the most popular solutions.

Creating an app for Android without coding

Some alternative approaches to developing applications for Android devices involve writing a minimum amount of code or its complete absence. They are, of course, ideal for beginners, but even professionals use these tools from time to time to save time and resources. So, how to build an app for Android without code?

Using App Builders

This category of tools offers you to create a product by filling out several forms. Most of them are flexible, allowing developers to build products of different types and sizes (online chat, e-commerce, newsletter). Most of them will offer additional features like push notifications if you want to make your service more popular.

The main advantage of such programs is that you will create an app for Android without a single line of code. Besides, it won’t take long as all you need to do is fill out several forms and confirm the procedure.

Converting Websites to Applications

If you already have a web application or even a small blog, you can turn it into a new Android application. Most websites can be converted into apps through special tools and technologies like the WordPress API.

To run a profitable application, you don’t need to spend years getting a programming background. If you are interested in quickly creating a product without code – choose the right tool!

How are Android apps created: Java vs Kotlin

Now that you know what Kotlin and Java are, let’s take a look at their main differences that will make your choice easier.

Interoperability

That is the main goal of running Kotlin as a project. Its authors have used all available knowledge to make libraries available to developers. Now they can write modules in Kotlin, which will be compatible with Java code. While creating an Android app, you can use both languages, which will solve more problems.

Conciseness

That is one of the main differences between the two coding languages. The truth is that Kotlin offers more concise expressions and abstractions that make the programmer’s job easier and less likely to make mistakes. Since each line of code can perform more functions, Kotlin significantly speeds up the development process, especially if we are talking about a large project.

Performance and compile time

Whether you want to create an Android app in Java or Kotlin, it will show the same performance due to the similar byte-code structure. However, thanks to built-in functions, Kotlin offers to code using lambdas, which runs the code a little faster.

On the other hand, Java compiles are 10-15% faster than Kotlin, which can be a key factor for developers. In incremental compilations, the values of both programming languages are equal.

User audience

Java has been on the market for over two decades, so it boasts a large audience of fans who refuse to use the alternatives available today.

Kotlin is a popular solution, and you can use it to create an Android application, but its community is still too small. For this reason, you won’t find a lot of learning resources or tools. Moreover, the likelihood of finding Java developers is much higher than hiring a specialist who knows Kotlin.

Since Google actively promotes this app development tool, it is likely that it will become more popular in the future.

Average cost of creating an Android app

That is one of the most popular questions for newbies as the price of any application varies over a wide range. The type of your app, the features you add, and the development method have the most impact on the final price.

You can create an app for Android with a budget of $1000 or spend $1.000.000 to develop a unique product. There are several ways to cut your project budget. For example, using a platform to develop applications is often cheaper than building an app from scratch. But prices always vary.

Let’s say you decide to create a new application code for US users. The total amount of the product will depend on whether you hire a local specialist for $150/hr or a foreign programmer for $25/hr. There are also free app builders that offer fewer options and solutions. However, it can be a lifebuoy for newbies with empty pockets.

Keep in mind that trying to cut corners, you can also lower the quality of your app.

How long does it take to create a simple Android app

Nobody can tell you the exact release time of an application because it depends on many factors: the type of product, the number/complexity of functions, the development method, and much more. Some apps appear on the Google Play Store two months after they were designed, while others take years to develop.

If you want to create a simple calculator app, for example, it will take you a week. It doesn’t take long to develop a product with a standard set of features. But if you are trying to create the next Instagram or Facebook, expect to spend a few years to achieve positive results.

Simple Android app creation via the building platform will take less time than if you chose low-level coding.

Considering all the details above, you can calculate the approximate development time for your product.

Summary

We can say with confidence that mobile apps will always be popular. Each year they become more interesting and functional. Every year users download more than 70 billion apps from the Google Play Store. Many of them have paid feature packs, so their creators make great money.

To develop an application, you can use one of the many approaches available these days. But whatever you choose, don’t forget about your target audience and its needs. Make sure the user interface is comfortable, and all options work correctly.

FAQ

Is it better to create an Android or iOS app?

It’s best to run the app on both platforms reaching all user categories. If you choose one of them, you’re neglecting a large part of the population. Coding a native app from scratch, you will need to choose one of the platforms or create two products.

How to create an app for Android without code?

Those of you who want to save time and money should choose suitable app makers. We have already reviewed their functions and found out that this is a form of fast and convenient development of a new product. Also, you can convert websites to applications.

What programming languages can I use?

Java and Kotlin are the most popular, although you can find several alternatives like C/C++, C#, PhoneGap, etc.

What is better: Kotlin or Java?

Both tools are popular for developing applications of varying complexity. However, there are some differences in favor of both of them. The choice depends on the size and functionality of your product.

How much does a new app cost?

The cost of your project depends on several factors: its type, the number of options, and other features that can increase or decrease the price.