How to Choose a Tech Stack for Mobile App Development

Mobile apps have become an essential part of daily life.  You need a mobile application for almost everything these days. Investing in mobile app development makes sense as an entrepreneur or business owner.

However, developing a successful mobile application requires making smart technical decisions from the start. Choosing the tech stack is a significant activity during the mobile app development process. A tech stack is a suite of tools and technologies you can use to develop a mobile app. 

But why is choosing the right tech stack so important?

Choosing the right tech stack for mobile app development can impact your project's success rate. Often, companies choose a specific tech stack and modernize their systems, migrating to new technology. This costs more, and there are operational disruptions, too. Most firms face what is known as technical debt. 

Companies prioritize short-term gains, so they choose a tech stack for mobile app development that needs updating and modernization. This is why most companies pay 10-20% extra to address tech debt. Choosing the proper mobile app development can reduce the additional cost of modernizing legacy systems.

This article will help you choose the right tech stack for mobile app development to ensure cost optimizations and improved performance. But first, you need to understand the basics of the mobile app development stack. 

What is the tech stack for mobile app development? 

The tech stack is an umbrella term for the various tools and technologies used to develop mobile applications. It includes technologies used to build front-end, back-end, and development platforms.

• The front end of any mobile application helps create enhanced user interactions. Some common front-end frameworks are HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Angular. 
• The mobile app's backend lets your application handle database systems and respond to user queries. Python, Java, and RoR are technologies used in mobile backend development. 
• Hosting is also a significant part of the tech stack for mobile app development, providing the environment needed to run applications. Some examples of these environments are Apache, Linux, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Mobile app platforms like Android and iOS are also key tech stack components. Both platforms have a pre-built tech stack, which helps you build and deploy mobile applications.

In addition, the tech stack for mobile app development can include cloud-based resources, testing tools, and database management systems. A holistic tech stack offers several benefits for mobile app development projects. However, you need to consider factors like security, cost of modernization, and others before selecting the tech stack.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Tech Stack for Mobile App Development

Choosing the right tech stack will help streamline your mobile app development process, reduce costs, and scale your business- HOW? 

Here is how!

1. Cost of modernization

Opting for a tech stack aligned with your mobile app development goals helps you reduce the future costs of modernization. For example, if you are looking for a front-end framework, choosing one with a large community and backing from a reliable brand makes sense. 

You can choose frameworks like React with regular updates and extensive community support. These frameworks also have dedicated teams working on continuous innovations, reducing the need to migrate to another technology for modernization. This means you can save money on modernization. 

2. Security-first advantage

Every component of the tech stack for mobile app development needs to be security-oriented. This means it should offer regular security patches to ensure your mobile app is secure against evolving cyber threats. This requirement is crucial in industry-specific mobile apps, where security is essential.

For example, if you are choosing a tech stack for a mobile banking app development project, you need a framework that offers secure applications that are compliant with PCI DSS, GDPR, AML, and other financial data regulations. Frameworks that regularly update security patches also help reduce costs.

Choosing a framework like Xamarin, jQuery Mobile, Mobile Angular UI, and Sencha Touch can lead to security issues. These frameworks are now deprecated and do not support mobile app development. So, you will end up with a tech stack that is vulnerable to cyberattacks. So, the best practice is to choose frameworks focusing on security and a strong community. 

3. Ease of development

Choosing the right tech stack can help you streamline development activities and reduce team overload. There are frameworks which can help you reduce the manual coding. These frameworks come with ready-made templates and components that you can use to save the time and effort needed for development.

Another key aspect to consider is compatibility with existing systems. Choosing a tech stack for mobile app development that is incompatible with the current technologies used in the project can lead to a longer time to market. Compatibility issues also lead to higher costs, as you must train your existing teams to use the new tech stack.

4. Skill-set needed

Several technologies and frameworks are used to develop a mobile application. This means you can choose from multiple options across frameworks. So, you can select a framework based on standard technologies. This reduces the cost of training developers and existing professionals for newer tech stacks.

Another consideration is hiring skilled developers and professionals specific to the new tech stack. Skilled professionals can cost more depending on the tech stack and technologies used for mobile app development. 

5. Performance optimization

What tech stack you use for mobile app development does impact the performance. For example, if you use a framework with minimal dependencies, support for caching, and event-driven architecture, the app performance is higher. Node.Js is a fine example of a backend technology that you can use to ensure scalable mobile application performance.

Similarly, considering a cloud-based tech stack makes more sense if you seek scalable performance for an eCommerce mobile application. Using the right tech stack for mobile app development projects offers the benefits of better security, scalability, and reduced costs. However, knowing these technologies becomes crucial before deciding which tech stack is best for your project. 

Best tech stack for mobile app development you can use

The tech stack for mobile app development differs across applications, platforms, and components. For example, if you choose a tech stack for front-end development, the framework and tools will vary from those you select for the backend.

Here are some tech stack options to select for mobile app development, 

1. Tech stack for native apps

When you are planning to develop a native application, the tech stack will be different for Android and iOS operating systems. You will need two other applications for each platform; the core technologies will also differ. 

Android tech stack

• Kotlin is a significant framework for developing Android apps. It is concise and expressive, and it offers Java interoperability and libraries to streamline development. 
• Android SDK(Software Development Kit) is a collection of tools and frameworks for developing Android applications. It includes everything from debuggers to sample code, documentation, and a handset emulator.
• Android Studio is one of the primary development environments that you can use. It has all the tools you need to configure the Android development environment: code editor and debugger.

iOS tech stack

• iOS SDK is similar to Android SDK. It offers a suite of frameworks and tools for developing apps for Apple devices. It also provides UIKit, which can be used to build user-friendly interfaces and enhance the mobile app experience.
• Objective-C is a general-purpose programming language for iOS app development. It is object-oriented and compatible with many Apple devices. 
• Swift is another expressive framework offering features such as closures, optional tuples, etc. Like Kotlin, it allows developers to create iOS apps with little effort.

2. Tech stack for cross-platform apps

Cross-platform applications work across both Android and iOS. This means you don’t need to spend on creating two different applications. Such frameworks help you build native-like applications that work across OS with specific features.

• React Native is an open-source framework that you can use for cross-platform application development. It uses JavaScript at its core and offers capabilities to develop Android, AndroidTV, iOS, tvOS, and macOS apps.
• Flutter is another framework to build cross-platform apps leveraging a widget-based approach. You also get features like hot reloading and cross-platform testing, which improves and ensures a native-like experience.

Apart from these technologies, there are many other options that you can choose from. For example, if you want to develop a cloud-native mobile app, you can use AWS or Google Cloud Platform. 

Wrapping up

Technology stack choice is a decision that needs scrutiny of many different aspects. You must consider all these factors, from compatibility with existing systems to security, flexibility, and skill required. Plus, you also need to ensure the tech stack aligns with your business goals and the project's technical requirements. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from for your project.

However, choosing the tech stack for mobile app development projects needs clarity on deployment platforms. So, decide whether you need a native or cross-platform app and start developing a mobile app with the right tech stack.

About The Author

Paresh Sagar is the CEO of Excellent Webworld, leading the app development market since 2011. With expertise in mobile app development, web development, IoT, and software development, he and his team of 300+ developers have helped startups and enterprises across various industries.