5 Tools That Empower Android App Development Using Python

  • Android App Developement
5 tools for android app development using python
John Parker
by John Parker Jan 09, 2023

Mobile app development is a growing landscape, with new opportunities and an extensive need for solutions. It is the right time to consider a mobile app solution for your business. The tech stack plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth android apps development, perfectly communicating app solutions, and enhanced experiences. 

The backend technology plays a crucial role in extending communication and offering apt solutions. Developers face the following issues making android app using python:

  • Extensive development time.
  • Separate codebases for iOS and Android apps made with python.
  • Planning the app security.

Python allows developers to use a single codebase across multiple platforms. It also offers extensive mobile app security, which enhances usability, and experience. 

In this guide, we will talk about the top Android app development Python django web frameworks/tools that can help you overcome app development challenges. It will reduce the overall time spent on creating the mobile app. 

Top Five Tools for Android Developers using Python 

Tools Github Score (stars) Tool Type
Beeware 461 Python Coding Platform
QPython 844 Python Engine for Android
Kivy 15.4k UI Framework
SL4A 2.3k Scripting Layer
Chaquopy 422 Python SDK

An In-depth Look at the Top Python for Android Development Tools

tools for android app development using python

Tool#1: Beeware

This is one of the biggest Python for Android app development tools. You can use the tool to create the python code once and share it across operating systems. It is perfectly tuned for cross platform development

One of the reasons most developers use Beeware is because it offers quick and easy updates. It also ensures you can create native-like code and integrate the requisite components into your mobile application. 

This tool uses the native UI toolkit for app development, which ensures a native-like look and feel. The strong community backing and open-source nature of the tool allow developers to create a well-defined backend.

The Key Features

  • Allows you to write the code once and share it across multiple platforms.
  • Extensive libraries that allow you to integrate native functionality.
  • Offers tools that help with end-to-end application development including debugging and deployment
Pros Cons
Reliable and robust tool to build mobile applications Relatively new, which is why most developers are unable to use them fully
BSD licensed; hence anyone can modify or use it Preference for other tools or technologies
Extensive community support for smooth development and deployment Fewer resources available
Native-like aesthetics and functionality  

Tool#2: QPython

QPython is one of the most used Python tools for Android app development. It is a script engine that comes with a Python interpreter and console. It also provides the SL4 library defined for Android alongside an editor. It is used for its extensive ability to develop quality Python projects for Android devices. It is used by several developers owing to the excellent experience it offers developers. 

The Key Features

  • It extends support to some of the significant Python libraries.
  • You can use this tool as it supports some of the popular third-party python libraries and can accommodate the engine to speed up development.
  • You can add libraries that matter to your development with this engine.
  • It provides extra features such as Android API access that you won’t get with general Python. 
Pros Cons
It extends support to Kivy  There are certain specific modules that may not be compatible with Android
Can handle multiple runtimes supported by Android The user experience of the existing features may not be up to the mark
The runtime extended by this engine is easily available across mobile, desktops and tablets  
It supports all the major Python libraries that you need to develop the mobile application  

Tool#3: Kivy

Kivy is a GUI development tool used for Python development. It is open-source and can support multi-platform development. Apart from Android, you can use it to develop applications for iOS, Windows and OSX among others. You can create multi-touch interfaces with this tool. The single design can be reused after small tweaks across platforms. It ensures quicker development and smooth deployment.

The Key Features

  • The open-source tool provides a graphic library with OpenGL ES 2.
  • You can use several in-built widgets that extend multi-touch support.
  • Design custom widgets with Kv language, which is also known as the intermediate language.
  • Offers input support to mouse, keyboard and other multi-touch extensions for the particular OS.
Pros Cons
Extensive and rich library that helps write code The interface may not look native-like which can impact experience
Write the code once and share it across platforms Documentation isn’t too extensive for the mobile app development
Multi-touch support widgets available  

Tool#4: SL4A

SL4A for Python allows developers to create scripts specifically for Android. It can help the Python interpreter access features including SMS, pictures, text-to-speech converter and others that help develop apps. It has been designed for the developers to improve their app development concerns. It extends an extensive integration with the Android operating system. 

The Key Features 

  • Allows you to package the mobile apps for the Android platform in a way that it can be directly released into the play store.
  • It offers extensive ways to edit and execute your files for rapid application development.
  • It works with other python programming languages interpreters such as Ruby and JavaScript for smooth integrations
Pros Cons
It is specifically designed for Android, which allows you to create specific applications for the operating system The scripting layer is not being actively developed by Google
Easy to edit and execute files The important attributes such as PaddingLeft and PaddingRight (for example) have been identified with different names. This increases the learning curve for the developer
Can directly publish Python-based mobile apps to the store The community is small and not very active

Tool#5: Chaquopy

This tool makes Android app development with Python language easy and hassle-free. It provides the user with all the components that you will need to develop the Android application with minimal effort. It can be easily integrated with the Gradle build system and enhances the developer experience. 

The Key Features

  • It provides full integration with the Gradle build system specifically designed for Android studio.
  • It uses simple APIs that help you integrate applications with Android or Kotlin.
  • Offers third-party Python packages that help with rapid application development. 
Pros Cons
It offers rapid application development as it can integrate with a wide range of libraries You may not get a detailed guide for python development
Easy to install and use The community is not extensive
Wide range of tools available that make coding and deployment easy  

Advantages of using Python for Android App Development

Let’s take a quick look at why you should use Python software for Android app development

5 advantages of using python for android

1. Faster Deployment without the Compiler

As Python removes the need for a compiler and executes the entire program with the interpreter, you can deploy the applications faster into the environment. It will take fewer hours to launch the app and ensure quicker releases for the developer. You will be able to improve your debugging abilities and ensure an error-free app is launched. 

2. Interesting Mix of Libraries

When you try to build a code from scratch with Kotlin, you might take more time than needed. However, that is not the case with Python for Android development. It will ensure quicker development as it is full of libraries and pre-built codes that can improve your development speed. You can create interesting interfaces and enhance app development with these libraries

3. Offers a Test-driven Development Environment

As you are progressing with a test while developing the mobile application, you can ensure a high-quality and performance-driven mobile app solution. The developers can divide the app development into smaller sprints and ensure quicker development. 

4. Extensive Support from a Python Community

You will notice that the Python community is vast, proactive and highly efficient. They have identified quite a few codes and deployed them to the libraries that help accelerate development. Owing to the community, you can access extensive documentation and tutorials that can help with any type of development. 

5. It is a Dynamically Typed Language

One of the most significant reasons why Python is used for iPhone app development is the fact that it is a dynamically typed language. You won't need to declare any of the variables used in the program before committing them. as a result, you can compile the programs faster and release them into the environment quickly. 

Top 6 Factors that Help in Tool Selection

Let’s discuss all the top factors that you should consider when selecting a tool for python for Android mobile app development

6 factors that help in tool selection for app development

1. The Tool Should Be Usable

You should consider adopting a tool that the developer can easily understand and navigate through. It should be intuitive and friendly for the end user. When selecting a tool, make sure to choose one with a low learning curve, ease of access and a friendly interface. It will help in rapid application development. 

2. It Should Fit the Budget

Before you begin identifying the tool for your requirements, you should know the budget you have in mind. Make sure to choose a tool that ensures you don’t hit the roof with the costs. It shouldn’t be more than what you are earning from the project. At the same time, it shouldn’t eat into your profits. Having a budget in mind can help you choose a tool that helps you with the work, and saves a lot of time.

3. Know If It Is Secure

The security of the tool is an important consideration when planning to invest in one. You should choose a tool that offers in-built security management and controls that can help line up the best safety network for your application. It should offer the plugins, libraries and code that can help keep your data safe and sound. These tools should also ensure cross platform data management and transfer as securely as possible.

4. Easy to Access Developers

You should be able to access developers and the expertise required to use these tools. There are certain tools that few developers use, and finding an expert can be equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack. Make sure to check the expertise available for the particular tool before zeroing in on it. 

5. Determine the Applications of the Tools

When you are choosing a tool for a particular project, make sure it can be used for the particular type of coding or interface design. For example, there are tools that can only be used for design. On the other hand, you will find several tools that can help with code development, integration and other aspects of enterprise app development. You may want to choose the tool that fits your particular mobile app development aspect. 

6. Understand the Service-level Agreement

It is equally important to understand what the vendor can deliver for the particular application and how you can get access to the same. Similarly, make sure to know if the tool can satisfy your development requirements. If these things are assured by the tool, you can go ahead and sign the deal. however, if there are things the tool cannot fulfill, you might want to choose another one for your development requirements.

Conclusion

Python is increasingly used for mobile app development owing to the availability of extensive tools and the ability to create platform-specific functionality. You will need an expert to drive the mobile app development in sync with your app development goals and requirements. 

New York Mobile Tech is a leading mobile app development company in USA with expertise in mobile app development and Python tools. You can hire Android developers to support your requirements and translate your idea into a full-fledged mobile application.