What is an Android App? Distribution, Programming Languages & More

What is an Android app?

Android apps are software applications that run on mobile devices powered by the Android operating system. These apps are built for mobile devices and can be installed on smartphones and tablets. They’re also very good at using your device's hardware capabilities, including its touchscreen, camera, GPS, microphone and more.

There is a diverse range of Android apps for mobile devices, fulfilling a range of different user needs, including:

Productivity tools
Social networking platforms
Entertainment apps
Games
Utilities
Educational resources
Health and fitness trackers
Ecommerce platforms

How are Android apps downloaded?

To download an Android app, you need to visit Google’s native mobile app store, Google Play Store. This is populated by users who submit their apps in accordance with Google’s guidelines using a software development kit. Top-performing apps employ sophisticated app store optimsiation strategies, allowing them to appear at the top of the search results.

When you download an Android app through Google Play Store, you get an APK (Android Package) file containing everything the app needs to work, such as code, resources and other relevant information. The Android operating system then takes care of the installation of the app, performs security functions and manages its execution on your device.

What are the main Android programming languages?

Java, Kotlin and C++ are the three main programming languages app developers use for Android app development. Java’s robust framework and extensive libraries make it the primary language, while Kotlin is a modern alternative, offering concise syntax and improved productivity. Developers leverage C++ for performance-critical tasks and native code integration.

What are the differences between Android and iOS apps?

Although there are some similarities between iOS and Android apps, there are also key differences. Compare them below 👇

	Android	iOS
Integrated development environment (IDE)	Android Studio	Xcode
Programming languages	Java, Kotlin, C++	Swift, Objective-C
App distribution	Google Play Store, Amazon	Apple App Store
App monetization	Pay per download, in-app advertising, freemium, data monetization	Pay per download, in-app advertising, freemium, data monetization
User interface elements	Follows Material Design	Follows Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG)
Fragmentation	Developed for a wide range of devices and screen sizes, making consistent performance challenging	Developed for a select few devices and screen sizes for optimal performance

How do you create an Android app?

When you make an android app, you have four main options:

Code it yourself - in other words, create your app from scratch, using online tutorials to navigate through the process
Use a no-code app builder - choose pre-packaged templates and themes and get simple apps live fast
Hire a dev agency - pay a retainer to an outsourced android app development team and build more complex mobile apps
Use an app platform - get the flexibility of a dev agency and the reliability of a no-code app builder

For a deep dive into each of these android app development routes, check out our guide on creating an app 👈

Android app definition: Distribution, iOS comparison & more