In today’s age and time, Mobile Apps are an essential part of any business. Many businesses are working towards providing the convenience of Mobile Apps to customers to increase their loyalty towards their brand.
More than 300 billion apps are expected to be downloaded in 2025 (Statista). Behind every successful app is the right programming language. But with so many options, which is the best language for mobile app development?
Let’s explore the top 5 most-used app development languages that power apps like Instagram, Spotify, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Top 5 programming languages for mobile app development
1. Java
Java is the most popular programming language for Android-based mobile apps. In fact, this object-oriented language is a default language for android mobile apps development.
The reason for the popularity of this language is the easy availability of its in-built open source libraries. Java is a very versatile, platform and, machine-independent language.
2. Kotlin
Kotlin is another language that is best suited for the development of mobile apps in Android. Google has declared Kotlin as its most preferred programming language for Android app development (since 2017).
Kotlin is a comparatively newer language that has been introduced, but in this short span too it has become extremely popular in the mobile development domain.
It has many more advanced features than Java and it is also a very scalable language that is best known for its performance.
Coursera and Trello are some well-known apps that have been developed in Kotlin.
Also Read: Kotlin Android App Development Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
3. Swift
Swift has become the preferred programming language for mobile app development for iOS and its supporting systems. Around 2m developers use this preferred language for mobile development.
It is powerful, compact, flexible, and easy to learn language. Apps like LinkedIn have been developed using Swift.
4. C++
It is an object-oriented language that is used for mobile app development on both Android and iOS mobile platforms by almost 6.3m developers.
C++ is popular for the development of apps for the banking and financial sectors. Some popular apps developed using C++ are Spotify, Bloomberg app, etc.
5. Python
8.2m developers currently actively use Python for mobile development. The main reason for its popularity is that it is an easy to learn language. It is one of the best languages that can be used by start-ups to develop their mobile apps.
Many popular applications like YouTube, Instagram, Dropbox, etc. have been developed using this programming language.
Also Read: Why Python is the Go-To Language for AI and Machine Learning
Key Comparison between top 5 programming languages for app development
| Language | Platform | Popular Apps | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Java | Android | Netflix, Amazon | Stable, large libraries | Verbose code |
| Kotlin | Android | Trello, Coursera | Modern, concise | Smaller community |
| Swift | iOS | LinkedIn, Uber | Fast, secure | iOS only |
| C++ | Android/iOS | Spotify, Bloomberg | High performance | Complex syntax |
| Python | Cross-platform | Instagram, YouTube | Easy to learn, AI/ML support | Slower than C++/Java |
Final Thoughts:
Here in this blog, we have tried to list the top 5 best programming languages used in mobile development worldwide. These languages have their share of pros and cons and specialize in one or more than one aspect of mobile development. The developer can choose the language based on the requirements and the best fitment.
If you are looking for a trusted mobile app development company in India to build high-quality Android or iOS applications, our team at Mypcot Infotech can help. In case you need any more details on any of the points or have queries on these aspects, do let us know. We will be happy to share our knowledge and experience.
Call us or send an inquiry for mobile app development services, and our team will respond very soon.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the best programming language for mobile apps in 2025?
There isn’t one single best language. It really depends on what exactly you want to build. For Android apps, developers usually go with Kotlin. If you’re targeting iOS, Swift can be a go-to choice. And, if you want your application to work on both platforms, i.e., Android and iOS, you can utilize frameworks like Flutter (Dart) and React Native (JavaScript).
Q2. Which language is used in Instagram and Spotify?
Instagram was initially built using Python with the Django framework, supported by JavaScript for numerous interactive features. On the other hand, Spotify uses a combination that are C++ (for its performance-heavy parts), Python (for backend services), and Java (for its Android app). Larger apps generally combine multiple languages to get the best results.
Q3. What language should beginners learn for app development?
If you’re just starting out, Python is really the best language to learn. This language has the simplest syntax and is very useful for mobile applications, web projects, and even AI. But, if your goals are totally mobile-specific, you can get started with Kotlin for Android or Swift for iOS; they’re both beginner-friendly and industry-standard.
Q4. Is Kotlin better than Java for Android development?
Yes, most developers now prefer Kotlin, rather than using Java. It’s more modern, concise, and it also cuts down on repetitive codes. Moreover, Google itself recommends it for Android applications. Although Java is still essential, especially for older applications, so knowing both languages can give you an edge in the job market.
Q5. Which is the easiest language to build mobile apps?
It depends on your goals. However, if you want to make applications that run on both iOS and Android, JavaScript (React Native) or Dart (Flutter) is truly easier. Furthermore, when building native apps, you can use Kotlin and Swift; these are solid choices. And, if you want just something and simple to learn, Python is the easiest starting point.
