Codename One
Codename One: A Java and Kotlin toolchain for native mobile builds, visual design, testing, and cloud delivery. Ranked #5 of 40 in Mobile Development IDEs by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for java teams shipping Android and iOS apps.
At a glance
- Editor score8.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forJava teams shipping Android and iOS apps
- Free planYes
- Paid from$300/user/yr
- Emulator or simulatorYes
- Founded2012
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Codename One
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. Java teams can work in common Java IDEs with a Maven-based workflow, visual drag-and-drop UI design, a desktop simulator with device skins and inspectors, native platform interfaces, automated testing, and cloud builds for app-store binaries. It is aimed at teams that want native mobile delivery without maintaining separate application codebases.
Pricing is structured around a Free plan and three annual paid tiers. Free includes 100 build credits each month, 8 credits per iOS cloud build, an 8.5 MB user JAR limit, and JavaScript cloud and local web builds. Basic costs $300 per developer seat per year and adds unlimited build credits, native platform sources, a 50 MB build JAR size, 5,000 push notifications per month, and five automated submissions per month. Pro costs $1,020 per developer seat per year and adds concurrent cloud builds, crash protection with GitHub Issues, 1 million push notifications per month, email support, and native desktop apps. Enterprise costs $5,400 per developer seat per year and adds high-priority builds and CI, on-device unit tests, 10 million push notifications per month, phone support during office hours, and unlimited automated submissions.
The ecosystem fit is a strong part of the offering: integrations include Maven, Gradle, CocoaPods, NuGet, Google Maps, WebSocket, Parse, OpenID Connect, Firebase Authentication, and Auth0. Cloud builds can produce native binaries, including iOS builds without requiring a Mac, while native interfaces provide access to platform APIs. Codename One suits Java and Kotlin teams that value shared code, visual tooling, and managed build services. Teams needing more than the Free plan’s build credits or JAR limit should budget for a paid tier; those wanting a narrower, mobile-only workflow may find its desktop, web, wearable, and television targets broader than necessary.
Your product? Our editors can test Codename One in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Codename One pricing
All 4 Codename One plans and prices →
Codename One fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $300/user/yr |
| Mobile targets | Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS |
| Desktop platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Emulator or simulator | Yes |
| Visual UI designer | Yes |
| App packaging | Yes |
| Supported languages | Java, Kotlin |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 10 integrations: Maven, CocoaPods, Gradle, NuGet, Google Maps, WebSocket … |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | codenameone.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Codename One integrations
Codename One lists 10 integrations on its own site.
- Maven
- CocoaPods
- Gradle
- NuGet
- Google Maps
- WebSocket
- Parse
- OpenID Connect
- Firebase Authentication
- Auth0
Alternatives to Codename One
- DelphiA mature Windows IDE for native Object Pascal desktop and mobile development.9.2
- Ionic FrameworkA capable web-first toolkit for hybrid iOS and Android development, not a native IDE.9.0
- MobileTogether DesignerA visual Windows IDE for designing, testing, and generating native mobile apps.8.7
See all Codename One alternatives →
Codename One vs the competition
- Codename One vs Delphi
- Codename One vs Ionic Framework
- Codename One vs MobileTogether Designer
- Codename One vs Xojo
- Codename One vs LiveCode
- Codename One vs C++Builder
Compare Codename One with any tool side by side →
Used Codename One? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Codename One for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Codename One is listed in our Mobile Development IDEs directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/codename-one/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/codename-one.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update