Helpful Tools for Newbie App Developers

• Mastering application development is definitely a tough journey for newbies. This is because, they have to navigate through complex codes, designing standards, and time-consuming app launching processes.

However, with difficulty, there is also ease. The internet is overflooded with a wide range of specialized tools and software that beginners can use for ease or assistance in routine work.

In this blog post, we are going to discuss five of the best tools in detail along with pros and cons. So, stick around with us till the end, it will be worth reading this blog.

Top 5+ Essential App Developer Tools for Beginners

Below we have discussed five reliable tools that newbie app developers can use to simplify their workflow. 

1. Android Studio

First of all, we have Android Studio. It is the official IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for app development. The platform has everything that both beginners and professionals need to come up with high-quality applications. 

For example, it offers a simple-to-understand editor that provides code suggestions whenever a beginner types something. This is similar to the working mechanism of Google search. 

In the most recent update, they even integrated the Gemini platform, making it quick & easy for the newbie to get help whenever they feel stuck. Moreover, Android Studio also offers excellent debugging tools and a robust emulator that ensures seamless app testing across different devices. 

One of the best things is that the platform provides support for several international languages. These include English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, and many more. The multilingual support further makes it easier for beginners to use the tool in their native language. 

Pros: 

• Easy-to-use interface
• Integrated Gemini for additional help
• Built-in tools 
• Multilingual support

Cons: 

• People often complain about slow installation

2. GitHub

Most of you are already aware of this platform. It is a free-to-use, open-source coding platform that allows beginner app developers to effortlessly manage different code versions while also collaborating with other professionals.

With a collaboration facility, new developers can quickly share their code with seniors to get feedback or guidance. GitHub also provides the option to track changes in the code and also revert them if needed. This feature completely eliminates the need to worry about code loss.

Moreover, this platform supports integrations with popular IDEs such as Android Studio and Visual Studio Code. Recently, it even introduced an AI assistant “GitHub Copilot” to help newbie developers streamline their workflow. 

The good thing is that GitHub is free for everyone, making it a suitable option for worldwide developers. 

Pros: 

• Free to use 
• Collaborate on the code
• Track changes
• Integration with other platforms

Cons: 

• It’s open to everyone facility increases the risk of spam

3. Flutter

This is yet another open-source framework that newbie app developers should know and use. It is designed and managed by Google Inc. Flutter is an excellent option for building cross-platform applications using a single codebase.

It greatly assists beginner developers in coming up with fully responsive and beautiful interfaces for Android, iOS, and the Web. Besides this, Flutter supports integration with all Google Services such as Google Play, Google Pay, and many more.

To further simplify the development process, the platform also offers a bunch of AI-driven features. Some of the most useful ones include text generation, chat, etc.

Flutter also encourages newbie developers to join their online community. So that they can get guidance on complex tasks or projects from seniors/professionals.

Pros:

• Simple & free to use
• Offers numerous AI-powered features
• Integration with Google services
• Free online community to share ideas or problems

Cons: 

• Applications built in Flutter usually have a large file size

4. XML Formatter

An XML formatter is a simple but essential tool for beginner developers who are currently working or plan to work on XML files. These filers are widely used in Android apps to design layouts, configurations, and structures.

It allows developers to automate the process of formatting the XML code in a clean and readable manner. All they need to do is just paste or upload the required file on the tool, hit the “Beautify” button, and done. This will save beginner app developers from manual hassle.

The tool is trained on the standard rules and regulations of the XML files which allows it to perform formatting without any mistakes. It is 100% free to use and allows you to format unlimited code in a single go without implementing any input length restrictions.

Pros:

• Simple to use
• Highly quick & accurate
• Automates the XML code formatting process
• No code length restrictions

Cons: 

• Only formatting is supported, with no code validation.

5. MixPanel

This is the final tool that beginner app developers should consider using. MixPanel is basically an analytical platform that will help them determine user behavior and ultimately enhance the performance of the app accordingly. 

It provides a dedicated option to track how the audience is interacting with specific features of the application. Besides this, MixPanel also helps developers measure at which point the user decides to drop off i.e., signup, etc. 

The platform is available in both free and paid plans. The free plan has a one-month limit, then you should purchase its paid version. 

So, when a newbie developer has all the analytics, it will be a lot easier for them to elevate the application performance for maximum success. 

Pros: 

• User intuitive interface
• Aids is effectively analyzing audience behavior
• Useful for decision-making
• Available in both free & premium plans

Cons: 

• Some may find its premium plan expensive

6. Firebase 

Firebase is more than just a simple development tool. Instead, it is a comprehensive platform that is developed and managed by Google Inc. It can be an excellent resource for newbie app developers who want to seamlessly build, run, and also grow their mobile apps. 

It comes with a bunch of useful features. For instance, it offers ready-made backend services. This totally eliminates the need to build a separate or dedicated backend for the application. Besides this, Firebase also provides the authority to store and sync all the data in real time across different devices. 

One of the amazing things is that it offers serverless cloud functions, allowing developers to perform backend logic execution without managing a proper server. With Firebase, they can get fast and secure static hosting services with free SSL. 

It can even assist app developers in efficiently detecting and fixing crashes with minimal effort. We think that’s more than enough to tell you how useful this tool or platform can be for beginners. 

Pros: 

• Offers both free and paid plans
• Simple to understand 
• Automated backend services
• Static hosting 

Cons: 

• It is a little difficult to transfer data to other platforms

7. Postman

If your app interacts with APIs, then Postman is a must-have tool for you. It is basically an all-in-one platform for collaborative API development. It comes in both free and paid plans.

When it comes to the features, Postman has a lot to offer. For instance, it allows newbie developers to easily create scripts using JavaScript to validate API responses. Besides this, the tool also offers mock servers, allowing API stimulation without a real backend. 

Moreover, Postman also gives the authority to send API requests (POST, GET, DELETE, etc.) without writing an actual code. This can be really beneficial for beginner app developers. They can also share APIs with the rest of the team while staying within a single workspace. 

The best thing about Postman is that it can also be used for tracking the performance of APIs along with their uptime. For this, developers need to run scheduled tests. 

Pros: 

• All-in-one tool for API development
• Automated sending of API requests
• Excellent collaboration options
• Option for API performance tracking

Cons: 

It can be hard to manage large requests using this tool. 

8. Figma

Most of you may have already heard of or even used this beast tool for designing purposes. If you are specifically working on UI/UX, then Figam will be your best companion in this journey. This tool simplifies design creation, collaboration, and prototyping without requiring robust skills.

The first notable thing about this tool, it does not require installation and is designed to work on every browser. This indicates its reliability and versatility. Additionally, it offers real-time collaboration which means that multiple people can work on a single design at once. 

Furthermore, Figma also offers numerous pre-design UI kits and designed templates. Developers can go with any of them and speed up their overall workflow. While working, the tool will automatically save all the changes, while also providing the option to view and even restore the old versions of the same design. 

In the end, Figma also supports the integration of third-party plugins for a seamless creation of icons, illustrations, etc. It is also available in both free and premium modes, you can go with the one that you think is suitable according to your specific needs. 

Pros: 

• Real-time collaboration
• Simple to understand interface
• Pre-made design templates
• Works online with no installation required

Cons:

• No internet! no Figma

So, these are some of the helpful tools that beginner app developers can consider utilizing as an assistant for their work. All of these tools will not only help simplify the workflow but also boost the overall productivity and working efficiency. 

Final Words

For newbie app developers, handling complex tasks or projects can be really tough. So, to stand out as a skillful professional, it is widely suggested that you get help from online tools to automate and simplify tasks. In this blog post, we have reviewed five of the best options that you can consider using. We hope you will find them useful…Happy Development!