The software industry is one of the most wide-reaching and fast-growing industries. In today's era, the use of software development tools or applications has expanded significantly. Companies, businesses, and individuals worldwide rely on various software tools to gain competitive advantages. These tools are essential in diverse domains like education, business, marketing, and transportation.

In this article, we will discuss key software development tools, including UML tools, notification tools, DevOps tools, prototyping, data science, cloud frameworks, and database tools.

What is a Software Development Tool?

A software development tool is a program that software developers use to create, maintain, edit, support, and debug other programs or applications. These tools are integral in the software development process.

With hundreds of software development tools available, selecting the right one can be daunting. The choice depends on the project type, and developers must consider several factors when picking the best tool.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Software Development Tools

Choosing the right software development tool is crucial for project success. Consider the following factors before making a selection:

1. Compatibility with the Environment

Not all software tools are compatible with every environment. It is crucial to choose a tool that fits the specific environment required for the project. For example, a web deployment tool wouldn't be applicable for a Windows desktop application.

2. Company Standards

Many companies have set standards for the tools developers must use. These standards help align development efforts with company policies and objectives.

3. Functionality

Assess the functionality of the tool. Does it meet all your needs, and can it be customized for your workflow? Ensure the tool offers the features required to avoid problems midway through a project.

4. Integration with Other Tools

Effective integration with other tools is crucial for a smooth development process. A tool that integrates well with your existing workflow adds significant value to your development efforts.

5. Flexibility and Scalability

As your team and projects grow, the tools you use should be flexible and scalable. Ensure the software tool can adapt to future changes in team size and project complexity.

6. Overhead

Many tools take a lot of time and effort to integrate with the existing environment and deploy with the development team. Moreover, some tools and initial deployment require time and effort. So, consider the overhead of a tool before selecting software development.

7. Ease of Use

You also need to think about how easy the tool is to use. If you're working with a team of developers, you'll want to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows how to use the tool effectively. The last thing you want is someone on your team struggling while trying to use the tool. Ease of use should be a key consideration when choosing software development tools.

Best Software Development Tools 

A broad spectrum of software development tools is available today. These tools are categorized into specific categories. Below are the best software development tools listed according to their classes.

Developer Tools

1. Embold

Embold is a software development tool that analyzes source code and reveals various defects that significantly influence a project's robustness, stability, maintainability, and security.

It is a software analytics platform with a broad spectrum of built-in plugins. An anti-pattern detection feature helps users prevent the compounding of unmaintainable code.

Embold seamlessly integrates with other tools, such as GitHub, Azure, BitBucket, etc. Moreover, it integrates with plugins and Git used for IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse. It provides quicker and deeper checks for more than ten different languages.

Features:

1. Software analysis and defect detection tool, ideal for software testing.
2. Various plugins to enhance functionality.
3. Integration with different software versioning tools.

Pricing

There are three plans of Embold - one free plan and two paid versions. The Premium package is available at $4.99 per month. To access extra features, you need the Enterprise plan.

2. Linx

Another low-code software development tool is Linx. It is used to automate and develop web services and back-end applications. Moreover, it hosts APIs, integrations, and automation without requiring infrastructure, frameworks, and code.

Linx has a drag-and-drop and easy-to-use interface. It speeds up the development and automation of business processes and easy integration of databases and systems. There are more than 100 in-built programming functions and services for rapid development.

You can deploy your applications or services to any cloud server or local server with a single click. It supports REST and SOAP web services, several file formats, like text and binary, and any SQL or NoSQL databases. Additionally, Linx helps you automate processes using directory events, a message queue, or a timer.

Features

1. Low-code software to automated web development, especially for the back-end.
2. Drag and drop UI that helps automate and integrate functions, external systems, and databases.
3. Easy deployment with cloud or local server.

Pricing

You can try Linx using its free trial plan. The starter plan of Linx is available at $49 per month. The Business 1 plan charges $99 per month, and Business 2 requires $199 per month.

IDE Tools

Use the below tools to edit, debug, and run the source code.

3. Netbeans

Netbeans is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used for developing Java applications (also PHP, among others). It has many features that simplify Java development, including code completion, refactoring, and debugger. It also integrates well with other tools, such as Maven and Ant.

This platform is used for developing best-in-class desktop, web, and mobile applications quickly and effortlessly. NetBeans supports various programming languages, such as Java, JavaScript, PHP, C, C++, etc.

NetBeans is a cross-platform development tool compatible with different operating systems, like Linux, Solaris, Windows, and macOS. Smart Code Editing, easy management process, writing bug-free and errorless code, and quick user interface development features have made NetBeans more popular among developers.

Additionally, features like profiling, debugging, robust GUI build, support for Java platforms, and dedicated support from the community make it more comprehensive and one of the best developer tools. NetBeans's code analyzers, converters, and editors allow users to update existing Java applications to newer editions easily.

Features

1. Cross-platform development capable of working and running both mobile and web applications.
2. Support for Java with solid GUI and debugging features.
3. Easy to update existing Java packages and applications.

Pricing

Free and open-source.

Fundamentals of Java with NetBeans

4. Cloud 9 IDE

Cloud 9 IDE is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers to write, run, and debug code from anywhere in the world. It supports multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, Ruby on Rails, and PHP.

Cloud 9 IDE offers several features and benefits, including the following:

It is a robust software development tool, including features like code completion suggestions, file dragging, debugging, etc. It replicates the complete development environment. In 2016, Amazon Web Services (AWS) obtained this tool and made effective changes. AWS made Cloud 9 chargeable as per the usage.

Features

1. Real-time collaboration: Cloud 9 IDE enables developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously, making it easy to collaborate with others.
2. Automatic code completion: Cloud 9 IDE offers auto-completion for many programming languages, making it easier for developers to write code quickly and efficiently.
3. Integrated debugging: Cloud 9 IDE includes an integrated debugger that makes it easy to find and fix errors in your code.
4. Cross-platform support: Cloud 9 IDE supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. This makes it easy for developers to work on projects from anywhere in the world.

Pricing

The charges for using Cloud 9 are as per the usage. For instance, if you utilize Amazon EC2 for Cloud 9, you will be charged only for computing and storage resources.

Database Tools

5. DBSchema

DBSchema is a web-based database design tool. It allows you to create, modify, and query your database designs. You can use DBSchema to design databases for MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. With this tool, you can share the schema and deploy it on several databases. This tool is also used as a manager for several databases, like SQL, NoSQL, and cloud databases.

DBSchema supports NoSQL and relational databases, like SQLite, MySQL, Redshift, MongoDB, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL, and many others. It allows you to use virtual foreign keys to find and edit data from several tables.

The 'Query Builder' feature enables you to create database queries visually, even if you have a little experience with SQL. 'Random Data Generator' allows database admins and software developers to generate test data.

DBSchema has two main views: the design view and the data view. The design view allows you to create and modify your database designs. The data view allows you to query your database designs.

Features

1. Powerful Database Designing tool for both SQL and NoSQL relational databases.
2. Query Builder is a powerful GUI that helps build queries visually.
3. Random Data Generator allows you to run operations on randomly generated test databases/data sets.
4. A wizard that helps you create your database designs.
5. A table editor that allows you to modify your table designs.
6. A query editor that allows you to create and modify queries.
7. A results viewer that displays the results of your queries.
8.  'Report Designer' allows you to build interactive charts, tables, and report sheets.

Pricing

There are two versions of DBSchema - Free and Pro. You can access the Pro version freely for the first two weeks. The Pro version for personal purposes requires $198, educational uses charge $98, and for commercial purposes, it is priced at $294.

Frameworks

The below framework tools provide a comprehensive platform or environment to develop software programs.

6. Bootstrap

Bootstrap is a popular open-source web development framework for creating responsive websites. It provides a set of reusable HTML, CSS, and JavaScript components that can be used to build prototypes or production-ready websites quickly. Bootstrap's grid system allows you to create layouts that look great on any screen size, and its built-in responsive design features ensure that your website will look great on phones, tablets, and desktop displays.

Bootstrap also includes a library of jQuery plugins that allow you to add advanced functionality to your website, such as carousels, modals, and tabs. And because Bootstrap is an open-source project, you can customize it to fit your own needs. There are thousands of free Bootstrap themes and templates available online, and you can also find helpful tutorials and articles on the Bootstrap documentation website.

Some robust characteristics of Bootstrap include built-in components, sass variables and mixins, plugins, and responsive grid systems. One of the most desired advantages of this software development platform is that it guarantees consistency among all users working on a project.

Features

1. An open-source and free-to-use framework that can help build websites for smartphones and responsive, light websites.
2. Consistency in a shared working environment for users working on the same project.

Pricing

Free

Cloud Tools

Cloud tools enable developers to build applications quickly using software development services.

7. Azure

Azure is a Microsoft program development software used widely to develop, debug, deploy, and regulate cloud applications on any platform. Azure offers both public and private clouds and supports a wide range of applications and programming languages.

One of Azure's primary advantages is its hybrid capabilities. Organizations can use Azure to extend their on-premises infrastructure into the cloud or use Azure as a standalone public cloud service. Azure also offers a wide range of features and services, including computing, storage, networking, database, security, artificial intelligence (AI), and more.

Microsoft Azure allows developers to design and develop reliable applications with DevOps solutions quickly. It uses containers and serverless to modernize existing applications. Moreover, it also supports different programming languages, devices, and frameworks.

Some Azure products can be accessed freely anytime and only for the first 12 months.

Features

1. The primary function is for full-cycle cloud applications for different platforms.
2. DevOps-based functionality, capable of working cross-platform.

Pricing

You can only access free products if you wish to continue with the free edition. Initially, you do not have to pay anything to start with Azure. You are given INR 4,500 credits to use in the first 30 days. Later, you need to pay as per the usage, called pay-as-you-go.

Data Science Tools

Data science tools are required to provide detailed analytics during the development process to improve and enhance the software application.

8. Dataiku DSS

One of the far-reaching data science software platforms is Dataiku DSS. Dataiku DSS is a robust platform that enables businesses to build and deploy machine learning models easily. It provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features that allow businesses to quickly and easily create data products.

One of the key benefits of Dataiku DSS is that it allows businesses to collaborate on data projects. Teams can easily share data and models and work together to develop better data products. Dataiku DSS also includes powerful tools for debugging models, which makes it easy to identify and correct any errors.

Dataiku DSS has more than 80 built-in functions to prepare, enrich, and clean data. With this tool, you can develop, deploy, and optimize R and Python models. Moreover, it allows you to use code APIs to integrate with any machine learning library.

Features

1. Data exploration and visualization: Dataiku DSS allows you to explore and visualize your data differently. This makes it easy to identify patterns and trends.
2. Data preparation: This powerful platform helps you to prepare your data for analysis. This includes cleaning and formatting the data and transforming it into the correct format.
3. Machine learning: Dataiku also provides various tools for performing machine learning tasks. This allows you to build models and algorithms that can predict future events or trends.
4. Collaboration: It also allows you to collaborate with other team members, making getting feedback and sharing insights easier.

Pricing

Dataiku DSS offers a free trial for 14 days. Later, depending on your needs, you need to upgrade to any of the three editions, Discover, Business, and Enterprise. Discover is best for small teams of up to five users. The Business edition is perfect if you work in a mid-sized team of up to 20 users. The Enterprise edition is for high-scale businesses.

Source Control Tools

You can easily manage source code for developing software applications with source code tools.

9. GitHub

GitHub is the world's most advanced and largest development platform (primarily a version control system), where millions of developers develop and maintain their software. More than 65 million developers and three million organizations use GitHub to create and maintain their applications.

GitHub enables developers to design their code and host it from the repositories. It is equipped with project management tools, allowing users to complete their tasks quickly, coordinate with others, and stay aligned.

Some significant features of GitHub, such as seamless integration with other tools, code security, and access control among all the team members, make it more helpful and friendly for developers.

GitHub can also be used for experimenting with new programming languages. It can be hosted on a cloud platform or servers and run on macOS and Windows operating systems.

Features

1. One of the best and most widely renowned version control software platforms.
2. Project management tools integrated with the workflow.
3. Focus on powerful code security and access control for code protection.

Pricing

There is a free or basic plan of GitHub for public use and open-source projects. Paid versions include Team and Enterprise. For advanced collaboration, individuals and organizations can go with the Team plan. It charges $4 for each user per month. The Enterprise plan involves flexible deployment, compliance, and security. It requires $21 per month for each user.

10. BitBucket

Bitbucket is one of the best web-based hosting services for software development projects using the Git revision control system. It offers commercial plans and free accounts, allowing users to access repositories for collaboration with others.

Bitbucket Server is a proprietary subscription-based source code management (SCM) system developed by Atlassian. Software development teams use Bitbucket Server to manage their source code and track changes.

Teams can use Bitbucket Server to store their code in private or public repositories, collaborate on code, and fork repositories. Bitbucket Server also includes features for managing releases, tracking bugs, and issuing pull requests.

BitBucket incorporates features like unlimited private repositories, flexible deployment models, code collaboration on steroids, etc. Moreover, it supports different services, such as integrations, code search, bitbucket pipelines, smart mirroring, issue tracking, and Git large file storage.

Users can organize several repositories in the project, using which they can concentrate on their final product or task.

Features

1. Development and source code repository with a web-based version control system.
2. Powerful collaboration with unlimited private repositories.
3. Capable of supporting different services and allowing repository organization.

Pricing

The free plan of BitBucket enables five users to use unlimited private repositories. There are two paid versions, the standard and premium plan. The standard package requires $2 per month for each user, and the premium plan charges $5 per month for each user.

Prototyping Tools

Use prototyping tools to develop software prototypes.

11. Axure

Axure, a prototyping tool, is one of the most famous tools used by Product Managers, Business Analysts, and IT consultants to generate functional and realistic prototypes and wireframes and create documentation. Axure is a wireframing and prototyping software application. It allows designers and developers to develop, test, and share interactive prototypes of their designs.

Axure incorporates various event triggers, actions, and conditional logic to create UX prototypes. There are RP widgets that help you to develop grids, working forms, and dynamic interfaces.

Axure has enabled users to create functional and realistic UX prototypes without requiring coding knowledge.

Features

1. A prototyping tool for powerful functional prototypes and wireframes with supporting documentation.
2. Low-code UX prototyping tools.

Pricing

You can access Axure freely for the first 30 days. There are three paid versions available - Pro, Team, and Enterprise. The Pro edition requires $25 per month per user, whereas the Team edition charges $42 per month.

DevOps Tools

Automate and manage the software development process using thisDevOps tool below.

12. Codenvy

Codenvy is a cloud-based development environment that allows developers to work together on code. It offers features such as collaboration, code review, and debugging. Codenvy also integrates with other cloud-based services, such as GitHub and Bitbucket.

One of the benefits of Codenvy is that it allows developers to work on code from anywhere. This makes it a great option for working on projects with team members who are located in different parts of the world. All you need is an internet connection and a computer or mobile device.

Codenvy also offers a variety of features that make code collaboration easier. For example, you can use Codenvy to share your code with others, get feedback on your code, and merge changes from other developers. This makes it an excellent tool for team projects.

Codenvy also integrates with popular code management tools, such as GitHub and Bitbucket. This makes it easy to access your code from within Codenvy and collaborate with other developers using those tools.

Codenvy enables you to generate command-line installers to deploy files in any environment.

Codenvy is compatible with multiple operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, macOS, Solaris, etc. This user-friendly tool enables you to perform deployment configuration effortlessly.

Features

1. Automation of binary and text file deployment from target servers.
2. Command line installation to remove operational risks in the software development workflow.
3. Compatible with different OSs.

Pricing

Codenvy is free to use with 3 GB RAM and three developers. It also offers an Enterprise edition for bigger teams. You need to pay $10 per month for each additional RAM, and for each extra developer, $20 per month.

Notification Tools

13. SendBird

SendBird is an application program interface (API) for messaging, chat apps, and websites. It is a fully managed and well-organized chat platform that builds state-of-art messaging experiences with offline messaging, translation, delivery receipts, analytics, and moderation tools.

SendBird offers in-app voice and video calls that are lag-free. It automatically merges and splits chat rooms for continuous engagement on the audience volume. It is integrated with bots for customer support and product recommendations. You can read and track messages sent to users.

Features

1. State-of-the-art messaging API.
2. In-app lag-free voice and video calls seamlessly integrate chat rooms and support chatbots.
3. Customizable chat rooms - With this feature, businesses can create chat rooms for specific purposes or specific customers. This allows for a more personalized customer experience.
4. Automated messages - Sendbird can be set up to automatically send messages to customers based on specific criteria (such as their purchase history or location). This ensures that businesses are constantly engaging with their customers promptly.
5. Chatbots - Sendbird's chatbot capabilities allow businesses to create bots that can answer customer questions and direct them to the right information or product. This helps businesses to provide better customer service and improve sales conversions.

Pricing

There are three editions of Sendbird - Starter 5K, Pro 5K, and Enterprise. The Starter 5K package costs $399 per month, and the Pro 5K charges $799 monthly.

Bonus Tools

14. Zoho

Zoho is a web-based office suite and online services provider owned by Zoho Corporation. It offers online word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database applications for individuals and small businesses.

Zoho Writer is a web-based word processor included in the Zoho office suite. It offers a simple user interface, support for multiple formats (including DOC, DOCX, TXT, PDF, and HTML), real-time collaboration, revision history, and more.

Zoho Sheet is a web-based spreadsheet application included in the Zoho office suite. It offers a simple user interface, support for multiple formats (including XLSX, CSV, and TSV), real-time collaboration, revision history, and more.

Zoho Show is a web-based presentation application included in the Zoho office suite. It offers a simple user interface, support for multiple formats (including PPTX, PDF, and HTML), real-time collaboration, revision history, and more.

Zoho Creator is a web-based custom database application included in the Zoho office suite. It offers a simple user interface, support for multiple formats (including CSV and SQL), real-time collaboration, revision history, and more. Your team can also usesoftware testing tools to check if there are any QA issues with Zoho (given that it's not a traditional code deployment software).

As Zoho Creator is a low-code platform, writing several lines of code to develop any software or application is unnecessary. It is also used to create robust enterprise-level ten-times faster software applications.

Zoho Creator is the most helpful tool for businesses. It is used to analyze data in reports, collect data, integrate with other applications, collaborate with other users, and automate business workflows and processes.

Moreover, key features of Zoho Creator include JavaScript, multi-language support, integration with a payment gateway, third-party integrations, Cloud functions, Artificial Intelligence, offline mobile access, etc.

Features

1. Develop mobile and web applications quickly.
2. No need to write code.
3. Easily integrate with other applications.
4. Collaborate with other users.
5. Automate business workflows. 

Pricing

Zoho Creator offers a free plan with limited features, 25 MB storage, 1000 records, one application access, and only one user. To access the advanced features of Zoho Creator, you can upgrade to the paid version. There are three paid versions - Basic, Premium, and Ultimate.

15. Node.js

Node.js is a runtime environment and library for running JavaScript applications outside of a web browser. Applications written in Node.js are designed to take advantage of the asynchronous nature of JavaScript, running multiple tasks concurrently and handling errors gracefully. Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that makes it lightweight and efficient.

Node.js is a popular choice for developing network applications such as web servers and real-time applications because it can handle large volumes of concurrent connections without stalling. It also has a large ecosystem of modules that can be used to add features and functionality to applications.

There are multiple modules in Node.js that impart well-organized and quick solutions for developing software's back-end structure and integrating it with the front-end platforms.

Features

1. Develop software more quickly and easily.
2. Integrate your back-end and front-end platforms more efficiently.

Pricing

Free

Conclusion

All the above software development frameworks or tools mentioned are robust, widely used, and fully featured. We have listed these software development tools as per their categories. Each category has its own features and is used in specific situations during the software development process.

Before choosing any of the above tools, ensure they are compatible to satisfy your needs or the company's requirements. Often, picking the wrong tool may result in hindrances and functionality issues down the road in your project timeline.

Now that you have some of the best software development tools, it’s time to look into some of the top software testing tools next. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best tool for software development?

 There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best software development tool depends on the project's specific needs. However, some popular tools for software development include Java, Python, and Ruby.

2. Is the framework a tool?

Frameworks are not tools, but they are often mistaken for them. Frameworks are collections of libraries, classes, and other code that make it easier to develop software by providing a structure for your project and commonly used functionality.