How to Choose the Right Technology Stack to Build a Mobile App?

If you are an individual or business owner who is involved with the mobile app development services, then this article is worth reading for you. This article guides you through the importance of choosing the right tech stack, key components, factors, and more to help you choose the best mobile app technology for a smooth-going project.

What Is a Technology Stack for Mobile App Development?

The technology stack is the basic building block of mobile app development that includes a combination of software components, libraries, programming languages, frameworks, tools, and other UI UX design solutions.

Depending upon the nature of mobile apps, whether it's android app development, or iPhone app development, they can have different tech stacks. Most mobile tech stack has two main software components which are client-side and server-side.

Key Components of a Mobile App Technology Stack

To understand in-depth, let's understand the key components of the mobile app technology stack. There are four key components of the mobile app tech stack, they are as follows:

1. Frontend Development

Frontend development refers to client-side development that includes building a graphical interface to allow users to interact with the app. In simple words, this is where developers design app UI, layout, buttons, animations, logic, and other functionalities.

For Android, developers mainly use Swift for iOS and Kotlin for android. Keeping cross-platform compatibility in mind, react native, flutter and xamarin are popular platforms.

2. Backend Development

Backend development refers to handling all the behind-the-scenes, database operations, and app logic. It is basically a server-side developer that involves scripting, web architecture, and a database to interact with the app seamlessly. Developers use server-side languages like Node.js, python, ruby, and Java for server-side operations and for database management, popular options are SQL, NOSQL, firebase, etc.

3. Development Tools and IDEs

Development tools and IDEs like Xcode, Android Studio, Visual Studio, and Version control (Git, GitHub) are essential for mobile app development to build and test the app smoothly. With the help of effective tools, the mobile app can be easily completed with real-time testing and enhance the development process for faster time to market.

4. APIs and Third-party Services

APIs and useful third-party services are vital components of the mobile app tech stack that enables payment gateway integration for secure payment. Developers can add social media integration and make use of analytics tools to collect useful data from users and make improvements to the app.

Why is it Important to Choose the Right Tech Stack for App Development?

The tech stack you choose for your mobile app will decide your future outcomes hence you must be extra cautious during the initial phase of mobile app development for successful app development and to avoid unexpected issues in the future. Below are some reasons to choose the best tech stack for making mobile apps.

1. Efficient Performance

When you choose the right technology, it can solve half of the problems during app making. Feel free to integrate performance monitoring tools like Datadog and more to continuously optimize the app performance and keep it free from glitches.

2. Proper Resource Allocation

It helps to future-proof your app by considering scalability and resource allocation. Depending on the type of app you develop, resource needs might vary hence you can guide your assignment of the task to the right expert who has knowledge of using specific tools or resources.

3. Cost-efficiency

The right tool will save you money, and time, and prevent you from lots of confusion and unusual efforts.  This can help you save overall development costs by using resources wisely and meeting budget constraints.

4. Future-proofing and Scalability

Using the right tool will always keep you ahead from market constraints and apps relevant. Hence you can easily scale up and down on mobile app changes to meet changing market demand.

5. Cross-platform Compatibility

When you are very clear about your mobile app project and pick the right technology, you can also fulfill cross-platform support functionality. Prefer to react native or Flutter for seamless code sharing and run your app on any platform.

How to Choose the Right Mobile App Tech Stack - Step-by-Step Guide?

Now let's get back to the main point to answer your question “How to choose the right tech stack”, we have mentioned the best points through our experience and research for selecting the best tech stack for mobile apps.  Let's dive in!

#1. Know Your App's Requirements and Goal

The success of your app is bound to its goal and user requirements. Be clear about what is the motive for making the app and what problem it is going to solve.  Is it for business purposes? Consider all the important points like app features, security, scalability, functionalities, performance, and other essential factors before you choose the technology stack.

#2. Type of App (IOS, Android)

Next is to decide on what type of app you want to make. Whether it's an Android app, iOS app, native, hybrid, or cross-compatible app. Based on the type of app, complexity, and business objective, decide the right platform to develop a mobile app.

For the Android app, we recommend you Kotlin or Java language with Android Studio and Android developer toolkit. For the IOS app, swift and Objective-C are suitable choices.​​

#3. Budget and Resources

Once you have finalized the programming languages, tools, platform, frameworks, and everything, you will get a rough idea of the budget. Check whether the technology stack you have chosen is easy to use or needs any learning or needs to hire a mobile app developer.

#3. Target Audience and User Experience

Consider your target audience because the tech stack will directly affect the user experience. If your aim is a mobile-friendly app and good user experience, you must choose the tech stack that fulfills the user experience factor.

Pro tip: follow a user-centric approach and understand the main objective of your audience and the features they want.

#5. Evaluate Development Expertise

Know whether your team is capable enough to use that specific tech stack. Analyze the skills of your development team to understand their experience. Know if your team needs learning or any kind or training. If you have a budget you can also hire mobile app developers on short notice.

#6. Check Third-party Integrations and Compatibility

Check whether the tech stack you choose is compatible and needs any third-party integrations or not. The technology should be easy to integrate with any API or third-party tool.

#7. Scalability and Future-proofing

Keep your future business plans in mind while you choose a tech stack so the necessary changes can easily be made in the app without adding more cost. Choose the flexible technology that can be scaled horizontally and vertically to meet the mobile app needs.

#8. Budget Capacity and Time

Depending on the tech stack you choose, you will get a budget estimate and the time it will take to complete the mobile app. If you are short on budget, consider open-source tools and services that do the job well and also save time.

#9. Consider Security and Performance

Never compromise on app security and performance just to save a few bucks. App security and performance are like two balancing wheels that determine the success of the app. You should select the tech stack that meets your security guidelines and follows data encryption and robust protocols.​​

#10. Maintenance and Support

App-making is a continuous process, there is no full stop but it comes with many commas from time to time. you must consider whether the tech stack you have chosen is able to provide maintenance and ongoing support with the evolving times.

Check whether they have good community support to help with the issues related to the tech stack.

How Can ManekTech Help You in Choosing the Right Tech Stack for Your Mobile App?

We understand how important it is to choose the best tech stack for mobile app development so we offer the tried and tested solution by identifying your mobile app objectives. Our expert team of app developers has decades of experience and expertise in using various tools for android app development and iOS app development hence we are highly confident to consult you with the best mobile app development service.

With our deep knowledge and proven mobile app experience, we go through strategic planning, data analysis, testing, app design, and many other things to help you choose the perfect tech stack.

Conclusion

Honestly speaking,  it needs a lot of research, patience, effort, budget, and technical knowledge to make the right decision for the mobile app tech stack. Once you are clear with the app's goals, features, target audience, performance priority, and other things, things will start to unfold on their own.

We hope you found the above article helpful in exploring the various aspects and making a suitable choice for the tech stack.  If you still need any help, we are just a click away to hire mobile app developers, you can book a consultation call to get your expert opinion.