People are dependent upon their mobile phones now more than ever. Whether traveling, shopping, listening to music, gaming, learning, or conducting business, apps have become a necessity we don’t want to be without.
But did you ever wonder how all those apps came to be in the first place? Many were developed by people just like you who taught themselves the necessary skills, and those same skills can be acquired through some free app development courses.
Featured Programs
- Build Your First iOS App
- Developing Android Apps with App Inventor
- Multiplatform Mobile App Development with React Native
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
We’ve searched far and wide to bring you this list of the 10 best free app development courses. Ranked using an exclusive methodology we developed, they are listed in descending order, with our favorites at the top. However, curious students will find that each of these offerings is worth a look.
According to Allied Market Research, the market for mobile apps is expected to be worth over $311 billion dollars by 2023. The demand has never been higher, and those who want to build a career in app development can expect to remain relevant for years to come. If you’re ready to explore this lucrative and fast-growing field, you can start learning right away with the following online courses:
Ranking for 10 Free Online Courses for App Development
1. Creating a Great User Experience for Mobile Apps
Offered by Future Learn
Developing an app is one thing, but ensuring it meets the needs of its users is quite another, and that’s what this excellent course on the Future Learn platform is all about. Developed by the University of Leeds Institute of Coding, it’s designed for those who already have some digital skills and want to improve upon them. The learning objectives are straightforward and include:
• Identifying smartphone features that influence app design
• Discussing the stages and roles needed to create a mobile app
• Designing screens and architecture using student’s own smartphones, pen, and paper
• Learning how visual and interactive features create a good user experience
• Using apps to solve simple problems
• Producing and testing clickable prototypes
The best free online app development course is taught over two weeks by designer and technologist Tom Armitage. The University of Leeds is offering students a free digital upgrade, which makes this the top offering on our list of free online app development courses. The upgrade means that students will have unlimited access to all articles, videos, quizzes, tests, and peer reviews for the course. Upon successful completion, a free PDF certificate of achievement will be awarded.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: Two weeks
Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Free digital upgrade
•Certification at no charge
•Taught by an industry expert
Cons:
•None
2. Introduction to Flutter Development with Dart
Offered by Google Flutter team and the App Brewery
This free online app development course features the first 11 hours of the Complete Flutter Development Bootcamp and is designed to teach students everything they need to know to get started with Flutter. Students will learn how to build high-quality iOS and Android Apps using Dart and will actually build eight complete apps to add to their portfolios.
The online course for app development features step-by-step video tutorials that are both engaging and entertaining, and the course is entirely free. As long as you successfully complete at least 90 percent of the lessons, App Brewery will award you with a free downloadable certificate.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: 11 hours
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Lifetime access
•Suitable for those who are looking for a basic overview of Flutter
•Free certification
Cons:
•Specific to the Flutter app development platform
3. Build Your Very First iOS App
Offered by Curtin University via edX
This Curtin University Course serves as a complete course on creating an iOS app from scratch using Swift version 4. No prior programming experience is required and it is designed for complete beginners. There are seven comprehensive lessons in all, which can be completed in about eight weeks working between 8 to 10 hours each week.
By the end of the online app development course, students will have a solid understanding of:
• Using the Swift programming language
• Apple developer tools including XCode, Interface Builder, and Documentation Browser
• The basics of coding and app development
• How to converse with iOS developers using industry jargon
Participants will also learn how to design, develop, and build a simple iOS app and will even be taught the process to submit it to the App Store.
This top-rated app development course is free to take in audit mode. Students who want a verification certificate can pay an optional $149, which helps fund free education on a global scale.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: 8 weeks
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Completed by over 27,000 students
•Taught by a senior academic and software engineer
•Part of a professional certificate in Mobile App Development with Swift
Cons:
•Certification requires a fee
4. Developing Android Apps with App Inventor
Offered by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera
This MOOC from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is an excellent choice for beginners interested in using App Inventor. It is taught by expert lecturer Kenneth W T Leung and has been taken by nearly 23,000 students. The free online app development course features 43 video lectures, 75 readings, and 49 quizzes, making it one of the most complete offerings on our list. Students will learn:
• Introduction to MIT App Inventor
• Application Coding
• Programming Basics and Dialog
• Alarm Clock Application
• Drawing
• Filing
• Game Creation
• Device Location
• Web Browsing
The course can be taken in audit mode for free and will take around 25 hours to complete. It is self-paced, with the option to sign up for paid components of the class for an additional fee.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: 25 hours
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Go at your own pace
•Perfect for those who want a solid foundation in App Inventor
•Highly rated by over 88% of previous students
Cons:
•Certification is part of the paid program of Coursera
5. Multiplatform Mobile App Development with React Native
Offered by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera
If you’re looking for one of the best free courses on mobile app development using React Native, this Coursera option is an excellent choice. Over 95 percent of the students who have taken the class have rated it highly, and it’s easy to see why. Half of the participants received some tangible career benefit after taking it, including pay raises and promotions.
It is the third course in a Full-Stack Web Development specialization but can be taken in audit mode at no charge. Auditing the online app development course will give you access to all the readings and lectures, although optional participation in graded quizzes and peer feedback is only available in the paid version.
The four weeks of lessons take around 43 hours total and include:
• Multiplatform Mobile App Development with React Native: An Introduction
• React Native UI Elements and Redux
• React Native Alerts, Animations, Gestures, and Persist Redux Store
• Accessing Native Capabilities of Devices: The Expo SDK
The course is intended for intermediate students and should be taken by those with some prior experience with Bootstrap and React.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: 43 hours
Curriculum: Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Taught by Associate Professor Jogesh K. Muppala
•Perfect for those who want to dig into React Native
•Part of the Full-Stack Web Development specialization
Cons:
•Certificate only offered at the paid level of Coursera
6. iPhone App Development
Offered by Stanford via Alison
This free online course in app development is hosted on Alison and offered through Stanford University. Taken by over 44,000 students, it’s designed to introduce users to all the levels of the Mac OS X including:
• Core OS Level
• Core Services Level
• Media Level
• Cocoa Touch Level
Students will learn how to use Objective-C and will also be shown how to use the built-in accelerometer to develop apps. Those who complete the final assessment with a score of 80 or better can acquire a learner achievement verification at no cost, while students who opt for certification can purchase one at the end of the course in the Alison shop.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: 10-15 hours
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Good
Quality of Instruction: Good
Pros:
•Start whenever and wherever you want
•Easy signup through Facebook, Google, or email
•Verified learner records are free
Cons:
•Rated 4.7 stars but no written reviews
7. This Is How You Make iPhone Apps-iOS Development Course
Offered by Udemy
This four-and-a-half hour course on Udemy is a complete iOS development tutorial that will teach students the whole process of creating apps like those found in the app store. Taught by the APP Dojo, the short course has been taken by over 140,000 students and boasts a 4.5-star rating. There are nine sections and 23 brief lectures.
No prior coding experience is necessary, as students will learn to code in Apple’s Objective-C programming language during the third lesson. Once you have the hang of it, the instructor will continue to walk you through each step, through product creation and testing. At the end of the free online app development course, you will observe as the APP Dojo submits a final app to the App Store.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Four hours and thirty minutes
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Good
Quality of Instruction: Good
Pros:
•Learn to create an app in an afternoon
•Highly reviewed by students who have completed the course
•Excellent introduction for those who want to get their feet wet
Cons:
•Certification not offered
8. Firebase in a Weekend-iOS or Android
Offered by Google via Udacity
The Firebase in a Weekend Course on Udacity Platform actually consists of two separate courses. You can learn how to use the tool on either iOS or Android and each course takes three days or less to complete.
Firebase is an app developer platform that is easy to work with, providing users with all the tools they need to build high-quality apps. During each of the courses, participants will learn how to create a real-time chat app from start to finish. There are three days of lessons:
Day 1: Introduction to Firebase, creating a project, and reading and writing using real time database and authentication
Day 2: Storing data, leveraging analytics, notifications, and remote config
Day 3: Introduction to cloud functions, deploying cloud functions, extending mobile app functionality with server-side code
This is an intermediate course, so students should have some prior proficiency with iOS or Android depending on the class chosen.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Three days
Curriculum: Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•On-demand video and interactive quizzes
•Taught by industry experts
•Excellent user experience with easy-to-follow modules
Cons:
•Some prior experience is necessary
9. Android Developer Fundamentals
Offered by Google Developers Training Team
Created by the esteemed Google Developers Training Team, this comprehensive Android developer course is perfect for those who already have familiarity with Java and are ready to start creating android apps. There are four modules, and the course begins with users deploying a simple Hello World app. However, the lessons quickly move on to more advanced concepts like creating the right user experience, scheduling tasks in the background, storing user data, and more.
Each lesson includes a slide deck, concept chapter, and at least one code lab. It’s mostly hands-on, and you will practice the skills you are learning by creating apps as you progress. For students who want to take the Associate Android Developer certification, this class serves as preparation. It is entirely free to instructors and students alike, and the smooth interface makes it easy to progress through the course at your own pace.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Varies
Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate (Must know Java)
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Prepares students for certification as an associate android developer
•Created by Google
•Organized and self-paced
Cons:
•Certification is not offered.
10. Mobile App Development Tutorials
Offered by Daniel Wood Code Mahal
If you learn best by setting-you-own pace, Daniel Wood has a terrific tutorial series hosted on Code Mahal. It features many excellent resources for aspiring designers, including this one for students interested in designing mobile apps. There are 37 tutorials in all, with clear explanations and step by step instructions that mostly cover Xamarin and the C# programming language.
There are no sign-ups needed to proceed through the unstructured lessons, which makes it one of the best free courses for mobile app development we’ve found. And while you won’t earn any certification here, you can come back again and again to refer to the wealth of information you will find.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Self-paced
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
•Covers all the basics of Xamarin and the C# programming
•No commitment is necessary
•Developed and taught by expert Daniel Wood
Cons:
•No certificates, structured modules, or milestones
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Online Courses for App Development
Most of us use apps every day for ordering takeout, banking, checking the weather, getting directions, connecting with others, or performing simple searches. So it makes sense that learning a little bit more about how apps are made and how they work could be a benefit for just about anyone. For those who have more than a passing interest, however, taking free online courses in app development is a great way to determine just how much there is to know.
Students may be individuals who want to learn how to create and sell their own apps, or they may work on a team with others. Since most major industries and brands eventually create apps to support a mobile audience, there is no shortage of niches in app development. If you think this may be the right industry for you, we’ve put together a list of common questions to help you understand what is involved in free online courses for app development.
Who Should Take Free App Development Courses?
If you’re interested in app development but you don’t quite know where to start, taking some free classes can put you on the right track. Free courses are often shortened versions of full-size courses, designed as introductions to the subject. In fact, on most of the platforms where we’ve listed free app development courses, paid certifications and specializations can be found for those who want to pursue a more intense learning path.
Most often, students who choose to take online courses in app development have a keen interest in all things digital and are inspired to learn a new skill or improve upon those they have already mastered. The best app developers are good problem solvers who aren’t afraid to try new things until they get it right. Most are creative types with a good imagination and may even have prior coding or programming skills.
What Skills Do I Need to Take Free Online Courses in Game Development?
There are varying levels of courses available to aspiring developers, and some introductory courses are ideal for beginners with no prior experience whatsoever. But most students who are eager to learn app development will need to master at least one programming language such as Java or C++. An understanding of interface design and database security is helpful as well. With many courses, these skills are learned as students progress through the lessons.
Are App Development Courses Hard?
This really depends on the individual. If coding, design, and development are already things you are interested in, App development should be easy to master. Most of the introductory classes on our list are perfect for beginners who are just learning about the industry and won’t be too challenging for newbies. As students move up into more advanced classes, obviously the level of difficulty increases.
One of the great things about free online courses is that you won’t make the mistake of investing lots of money into your education only to discover it’s too hard. A combination of a few short classes that include interactive learning, hands-on-exercises in app development, and an overview of the industry can help most students decide if they are proficient enough to move onto the next level.
Do I Need to Have a Degree to Become an App Developer?
While a degree in design or development may help to further the career of a professional app developer, lots of people break into the industry with no formal training. Most employers are much more concerned about the skills and talents these individuals bring to the table than a degree, and if you can demonstrate your proficiency in app development, you should have no problem finding meaningful employment with decent wages.
Many of the most well-paid developers are self-taught, so taking free app development classes online is a terrific use of your time and resources.
What Careers Are Available in the App Development Industry?
Every mobile platform has its own coding language and development environment, so jobs for developers are available across each of these individual specialties. A few of these include:
• Mobile Software Engineer
•Java App Developer
•Android App Developer
•JavaScript jQuery Developer
•iOS Software Engineer
•Interface and UX designer
Salaries for professional App developers range from$50,000 to $113,000 annually according to Payscale.com.
How Long Does it Take to Learn App Development?
If you decide to take some courses on our list, you may be surprised to find that you can learn how to design and create an app in just a few hours. Of course, learning all the ins and outs of the app design industry takes much longer, but this is one field where you can also earn as you learn.
Courses can last from a few hours to a few months but depending on your level of commitment you can master mobile app development as quickly as you want to.
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
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