Application development, or app development, is the process of planning, designing, creating, testing, and deploying an application to perform various business operations. It can be done by massive organizations with large teams working on projects or by a single freelance developer. Application development defines the process of how the application is made and generally follows a standard methodology.
There are lots of factors that go into developing an application. You must consider the size of the project, how specific the requirements are, how much the customer will want to change things, how large and experienced the development team is, and the deadline for the project.
Building custom business apps is now a necessary step for enterprises that want to future-proof their businesses, increase collaboration and efficiency, and improve customer experiences.
However, most CIOs are already aware that the demand for business apps is increasing beyond IT’s ability to deliver. App development methods are outdated, and resources are outstretched.
Understanding application development and implementing it at scale requires actively involving IT and business users to increase application velocity.
An app builder can help businesses build and strengthen their brand, giving them a competitive advantage in their industry. Some benefits of developing apps are
The app development process is complex and multi-staged, requiring careful planning, designing, building, testing, and launching. It is a collaborative effort that involves different teams and professionals working together to create an app that meets the needs and expectations of users.
App development is linked with software development life cycle. The basic stages and steps of app development SDLC are as follows.
App development and software development are two distinct areas, although they share some similarities.
The software development process is a structured series of steps used to design, develop, test, and maintain software. This process is also known as the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
App development |
Software development |
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1. Focused on design, user experience, and customizable features. |
1. Focused on implementing the right codes and meeting the quality standards. |
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2. The process involves strategy, design and branding, coding and development, launch, maintenance and optimization. |
2. The process involves conceiving specifications, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and launching. |
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3. Apps are generally designed to perform specific tasks and are usually simpler. |
3. Software applications have a broader range of features and capabilities. |
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4. An app usually has a faster release cycle, with updates and new versions released more frequently. |
4. Software development has a relatively longer release cycle as it involves intense coding and specifications to be met. |
The different types of applications that can be developed are,
Building applications that align with business needs requires a structured approach. Whether developing enterprise-wide systems or department-specific tools, following best practices ensures efficiency and long-term usability.
The following are some examples of applications for businesses that can be created by application development platform.
As businesses shift towards digital-first strategies, there is an increasing demand for on-demand app development that can support these initiatives. The advent of low-code, no-code has helped reduce the reliance on traditional software development and has enabled faster and more cost-effective way of building apps.
Low-code and no-code technologies enable non-technical users to create custom applications using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop components. They aim to simplify and accelerate the app-building process, allowing more collaboration and innovation across the organization.
By 2025, 80 percent of non-IT professionals will develop apps, with over 65 percent using low-code/no-code tools. This frees overburdened IT teams from manual, repetitive tasks to focus on more complex and critical projects.
Security plays a crucial role in modern application development. As low-code and no-code platforms rise in popularity, developers must prioritize security in application development by building measures into every stage of the process. Implementing data encryption and role-based access controls prevents data breaches and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.
Modernizing legacy applications is crucial for organizations seeking to stay competitive in the digital era. Application modernization focuses on migrating or upgrading existing applications to more modern, flexible environments that leverage cloud technologies and microservices architecture. These transformations help businesses improve scalability, reduce operational costs, and enhance user experience.
Kissflow's low-code platform simplifies app development to cut costs and development time. It allows users to build complex business apps with a visual drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates – all with minimal to no coding. As business users build applications independently without requiring any support from IT, Kissflow encourages collaborative development while reducing IT burden significantly.
You can ship applications in weeks instead of months and adapt to changes quickly.
Discover how the Kissflow Platform enables seamless workflow automation and app development.
It involves technical skills, creative design, and project management. App developers must be proficient in programming languages, mobile platforms, and application development tools and have a strong understanding of user experience design and best practices.
An application developer is responsible for creating applications that run on various platforms. The specific tasks of an application developer can vary depending on the type of application they are developing, as well as the industry and company they work for
The use cases are diverse and constantly evolving as businesses continue to explore new ways to leverage technology to improve their operations. Here are some common examples- customer-facing apps, employee-facing apps, data management apps, educational apps, healthcare apps, etc.
Native development creates platform-specific apps with optimal performance but higher maintenance costs. Cross-platform frameworks offer code reusability across platforms. Progressive web apps provide app-like experiences through browsers without installation. Low-code platforms enable rapid development with minimal coding, while serverless architectures focus on business logic without infrastructure management.
Cloud computing has revolutionized app development by eliminating infrastructure headaches. Microservices architectures enable teams to develop independently at their own pace. Serverless computing reduces operational complexity, letting developers focus purely on code. Development environments spin up instantly, accelerating iteration cycles. Perhaps most importantly, cloud-native design patterns make scalability and resilience practically automatic.
Popular JavaScript libraries remain dominant, though newer alternatives are gaining traction for performance and simplicity. Cross-platform development frameworks continue impressive growth. Structured backend frameworks provide organized approaches to server-side development. For mobile, declarative UI paradigms are transforming native development, while lightweight desktop alternatives are emerging as compelling options.
AI pair programmers dramatically accelerate coding by suggesting entire functions and handling boilerplate. Automated testing tools generate test cases and identify regression risks. Natural language requirements processing helps translate business needs into technical specifications. Design tools can generate UI components from sketches, while AI code reviewers catch potential bugs before they reach production.
Beyond core programming skills, modern app developers need cloud service knowledge and an understanding of CI/CD practices. User experience design principles have become essential as users expect intuitive interfaces. Security awareness is non-negotiable with increasing threats. Soft skills like communication and problem-solving often differentiate great developers, while continuous learning habits are crucial in this rapidly evolving field.