Which Programming Language for Mobile App Development Is Right for Your Project: 7 Expert Choices
A local restaurant chain wanted to create an app for online ordering. The marketing team knew they needed to reach both iOS and Android users. When they talked to developers, the first question was: "Which programming language for mobile app development should we use?"
This choice would affect the app's cost, how quickly they could launch, and how well it would work for their customers. Many businesses face this same challenge when developing mobile apps. Picking the wrong programming language for an app is like building your store in the wrong location – it can cost you time, money, and customers.
At lordist, we understand that selecting the right programming languages for app development is important for meeting your business goals. So, here, we’ve compiled a list of the five best programming languages for mobile app development in 2026.
iOS Development
Apple came up with Swift in 2014 to replace Objective-C. If you ask us, "What programming language are iOS apps written in?" Swift is our first answer. It's now the main way to build iPhone and iPad apps.
Swift
Apple introduced Swift in 2014 to replace their older programming language for mobile app development. It's now the main way to build iPhone and iPad apps.
Advantages:
Safer and more concise code with fewer errors
Faster development and runtime performance
Excellent memory management
Gets regular updates from Apple
Best for: Making apps that only run on iPhones and iPads and need to use all of Apple's features.
Objective-C
This is an older language for maintaining legacy iOS applications and working with older codebases. This is an older programming language of iPhone development that's still used to fix and update older codebases.
Advantages:
Mature programming language for mobile app development with extensive libraries
Compatible with C and C++ code
Still supported by Apple
Best for: Maintaining and updating apps that were built years ago with Objective-C.
Android Development
Android is a Google-run open-source software development platform. Though Google has mobile device options, such as phones and tablets, other manufacturers, including Samsung, Huawei, Microsoft, and more, also make phones and tablets powered by the Android OS.
Kotlin
If you ask us about the best Android programming language, Kotlin is often our recommendation. Google officially endorsed Kotlin in 2017 for making Android apps.
The Android application programming language ecosystem has changed significantly, with Kotlin becoming the preferred choice for new development.
Advantages:
More concise than Java, requiring less boilerplate code
Fewer app crashes
Full compatibility with existing Java code
Excellent tool support with Android Studio
Best for: Making new Android apps that need clean architecture and robust performance.
Java
For years, when someone asked, "What programming language are android apps written in?" the standard answer was Java. As programming languages for Android continue to evolve, Java maintains its relevance alongside newer options. Many developers still use this because they know it too well.
Advantages:
Massive community and resource availability
Platform independence
Strong typing and robust error-checking
Extensive libraries and documentation
Best for: Android projects with teams already experienced in this Android app programming language, or those requiring specific Java libraries.
Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform development lets businesses build apps that work on both Android and iOS using a single codebase, saving time and reducing costs.
React Native
The ideal programming language for mobile app development isn't always platform-specific. React Native, developed by Facebook, lets developers write code once and use it for both iPhone and Android phones, making it an efficient choice for many development teams and businesses.
Advantages:
Approximately 70-90% code reuse between platforms
Access to native components when needed
Live reloading for quicker iteration
Large community and extensive third-party libraries
Best for: Projects targeting both iOS and Android with budget or time constraints.
Flutter
Flutter has received huge attention from businesses when choosing programming languages for application development. Google's Flutter framework uses Dart to create apps for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. It's one of the latest development languages that businesses must consider for their next development project.
Advantages:
Consistent UI and behavior across platforms
Hot reload functionality for rapid development
Custom, highly customizable widgets
Growing community and Google support
Best for: Applications requiring complex, custom UI elements with consistent behavior across platforms.
JavaScript Frameworks (Ionic/Cordova)
When choosing a programming language for mobile app development, many businesses also consider JavaScript frameworks. These frameworks allow developers to build hybrid mobile applications using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript).
Advantages:
Use existing web development skills
Single codebase for multiple platforms
Access to device features through plugins
Faster development for simpler applications
Best for: Projects with tight budgets or when you want both a web and mobile presence with shared code.
Note: Cordova is declining in popularity, while Capacitor is rising as a modern alternative.
How to Choose the Right Programming Language for Mobile App Development?
Selecting the optimal programming language for mobile app development depends on several factors:
Platform requirements: iOS-only, Android-only, or both platforms
Performance needs: High-performance requirements may favor native development
Budget and timeline constraints: Cross-platform options usually reduce development costs
App complexity: More complex applications may benefit from platform-specific languages
Team expertise: Consider your internal team's skills for long-term maintenance
Future scalability: Some languages offer better options for growth and maintenance
Partner with lordist for Expert Mobile App Development
Companies that invest time in understanding the concept of developing a programming language make better technology decisions. At lordist, we bring years of expertise across every programming language for mobile app development to help you make the right choice for your specific business needs.
We start the development process by understanding your needs and suggesting the appropriate technology stack. From high-performance native applications to affordable cross-platform solutions, we can help you make the right choice and deliver the best.
If you’re ready to bring your mobile app idea to life, contact lordist today for a consultation and learn how our expertise can transform your digital presence through strategic mobile app development.