App Development Tools – Want to create your own mobile app or website? You don’t have to start from zero! There are special tools that make coding easier and faster. We picked the 5 best ones that real users love (they all have at least 10 reviews and 4.5+ stars). Here they are in simple words, explained like you’re 14-15 years old.
Table of Contents
1. ASP.NET Zero
- What it is: A helper tool for people who use Microsoft’s Visual Studio to build apps.
- Cool things it can do:
- Makes login pages, user roles, and multi-language apps super easy.
- Helps you build apps for iPhone and Android at the same time.
- Lets many customers (tenants) use the same app with their own logo and settings.
- What users love: Everything works right away without extra coding.
- What they wish was better: Automatic updates instead of doing it by hand, and better instructions.
- Best for: Teens or companies who already like Microsoft tools and .NET.
2. GitHub
- What it is: The most popular place to save and share code (like Google Drive but for programmers).
- Cool things it can do:
- Work on the same project with friends from anywhere.
- Automatically test and upload your app.
- Warns you if your code has security mistakes.
- What users love: Super fast and easy to invite teammates.
- What they wish was better: More free storage for big files and fewer bugs in the desktop app.
- Best for: Everyone! It’s free for small projects and has a paid version for big teams.
3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- What it is: Google’s giant computer in the sky that runs your app for you.
- Cool things it can do:
- Run apps written in almost any coding language.
- Add or remove power (like adding more RAM) whenever you need.
- Connects easily with GitHub.
- What users love: You only pay for what you use, and the control dashboard is easy.
- What they wish was better: Cheaper graphics cards and fewer tiny bugs.
- Best for: Any size project—perfect if you already use Gmail or Google Drive.
4. IntelliJ IDEA
- What it is: A super-smart code editor made by JetBrains (has a free version and a paid one).
- Cool things it can do:
- Writes some of the code for you (auto-complete on steroids).
- Helps you find and fix mistakes fast.
- Works great with Java, Kotlin (used for Android), and many other languages.
- What users love: Makes coding feel faster and less annoying.
- What they wish was better: Uses less computer memory so it doesn’t slow down your laptop.
- Best for: People making Android apps or learning Java/Kotlin in school.
5. SpreadsheetWEB
- What it is: Turns Microsoft Excel sheets into real web apps—no coding needed!
- Cool things it can do:
- Drag and drop to make forms, calculators, or dashboards.
- Anyone who knows Excel can build an app in hours.
- Saves all the data online safely.
- What users love: Crazy easy and fast to update.
- What they wish was better: More tutorials and some built-in AI features.
- Best for: Students, teachers, or small businesses who love Excel and want an app without learning to code.
Quick Summary Table (Which one should YOU try?)
| Tool | Need to code? | Best if you… | Free version? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASP.NET Zero | Yes | Like Microsoft tools | No |
| GitHub | Yes | Want to work with friends | Yes |
| Google Cloud | Yes | Want powerful servers | Yes (with limits) |
| IntelliJ IDEA | Yes | Make Android or Java apps | Yes (Community) |
| SpreadsheetWEB | No | Know Excel and want zero coding | No (trial yes) |