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Head-to-head · Mobile Development IDEs

Codename One vs LiveCode

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Codename One #5 in Mobile Development IDEs 8.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Codename One
LiveCode #6 in Mobile Development IDEs 8.1/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit LiveCode

Codename One leads on 1 check, LiveCode on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCodename One · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Codename One
  • Free trialonly Codename One
  • Most featuresCodename One · 3 of 3

Codename One scores higher on our rubric for mobile development ides: 8.4 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Codename One offers free plan; LiveCode doesn't.

Codename One is the better fit for java teams shipping Android and iOS apps. LiveCode is the better fit for visual multi-target app creation.

  • Codename One fits best

    Java teams shipping Android and iOS apps

  • LiveCode fits best

    Visual multi-target app creation

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Side by side

Feature Codename One 8.4/10 Visit ↗ LiveCode 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.1
Ranking #5 in Mobile Development IDEs #6 in Mobile Development IDEs
Best for Java teams shipping Android and iOS apps Visual multi-target app creation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $300/user/yr —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Codename One 3/3 · LiveCode 2/3
Emulator or simulator ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Visual UI designer ✓ ✓
App packaging ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile targets Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS iOS, Android
Desktop platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Supported languages Java, Kotlin LiveCode Script
Our review
Pros
  • Native Android and iOS builds from a shared Java or Kotlin codebase
  • Visual GUI builder, simulator, testing, and CSS live updates
  • Free plan plus cloud builds and broad Java ecosystem integrations
  • Visual UI, workflow, and responsive layout editors
  • Publishes to web, desktop, iOS, and Android targets
  • Combines no-code tools with LiveCode Script for custom logic
Cons
  • Free plan limits builds to 100 credits monthly
  • Free plan has an 8.5 MB user JAR limit
  • Paid plans use annual billing per developer seat
  • No free plan is available
  • Mobile deployment documentation describes mobile support as a future release
  • Enterprise features require a separate Enterprise plan
Our verdict

Codename One is an open-source framework and development toolchain for Java and Kotlin developers building native applications from a shared codebase. It targets Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers.…

Read the review →

LiveCode is a cross-platform application development environment for individuals, businesses, educators, and organizations creating internal or commercial applications. LiveCode Create combines a visual drag-and-drop UI builder, responsive…

Read the review →
  1. Codename OneMobile Development IDEs 8.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. LiveCodeMobile Development IDEs 8.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Codename One — where it wins

    • Native Android and iOS builds from a shared Java or Kotlin codebase
    • Visual GUI builder, simulator, testing, and CSS live updates
    • Free plan plus cloud builds and broad Java ecosystem integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits builds to 100 credits monthly
    • Free plan has an 8.5 MB user JAR limit
    • Paid plans use annual billing per developer seat

  • LiveCode — where it wins

    • Visual UI, workflow, and responsive layout editors
    • Publishes to web, desktop, iOS, and Android targets
    • Combines no-code tools with LiveCode Script for custom logic

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Mobile deployment documentation describes mobile support as a future release
    • Enterprise features require a separate Enterprise plan
  • Codename One8.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A Java and Kotlin toolchain for native mobile builds, visual design, testing, and cloud delivery.

    Visit Codename OneFull verdict →
  • LiveCode8.1/10 · Paid

    A visual, multi-target IDE for teams that want app building without a code-only workflow.

    Visit LiveCodeFull verdict →

More comparisons

All mobile development IDEs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update