What frameworks are best for developing mobile apps with Python?

1 Kivy Basics

Kivy is an open-source Python library for developing multitouch applications. It's cross-platform, which means you can build apps for both Android and iOS devices. Kivy is known for its simplicity and the ability to run on almost any device. It's particularly good for applications that require multi-touch, gestures, and other modern user interface features. The framework also supports new input devices and protocols, making it a versatile choice for developers looking to create unique user experiences.

2 BeeWare Project

BeeWare is a collection of tools and libraries that allow you to write native apps in Python with a native user interface. The BeeWare suite of tools includes a widget toolkit, a Python-Android bridge, and a Python-iOS bridge, among others. This means you can write your app once and deploy it on both major mobile platforms without rewriting your code. BeeWare is ideal if you're looking to create apps that have a native look and feel on each platform.

4 Toga Framework

Toga is another framework from the BeeWare suite that enables you to create native apps for multiple platforms from a single codebase. It's an open-source library that provides you with a set of standard user interface elements for each platform. Toga uses native system widgets, not just themed or simulated ones, which means your app will have the look and feel of a native application on each device it runs on. This can be a significant advantage when you want to ensure a consistent user experience across platforms.

5 PyBee's VOC

VOC is a part of the BeeWare suite that compiles Python bytecode into Java bytecode. With VOC, you can write your app in Python, compile it, and then run it anywhere you have a Java virtual machine (JVM). This includes Android devices, which makes VOC an intriguing option for Python developers looking to create Android apps. VOC is particularly useful if you want to leverage existing Java libraries or interact with Java code in your Python application.

6 SL4A Approach

Scripting Layer for Android (SL4A) is an open-source project that lets you run scripting languages like Python on Android devices. It provides a gateway to Android API, allowing scripts to control Android components. SL4A is not as full-featured as some of the other frameworks mentioned, but it's a good option if you want to write simple Android apps or automate tasks on your Android device. It's also useful for prototyping or for developers who are more comfortable with scripting languages.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?