Android libraries eliminate the need to build app functionalities from scratch. They help streamline the development processes for complex applications and app modules. Creating a high-end Android application demands a solid understanding of tools, UI components, libraries, and development IDEs. With the increasing use case for Android applications, developers need an effective stack of available libraries to aid with a faster development process, avoid re-writing repetitive chunks of code,
Whether you are working alongside an Android studio or pursuing individual app development projects, it is important that you fully leverage the best from among the countless app libraries available. In this blog, we have compiled a list of some of the most powerful Android libraries to assist your app development needs.
What is an Android Library?
Android libraries are a set of behaviors that are implemented in the relevant programming languages. Utilizing Android app libraries can significantly streamline and improve the pace of your app development process by reducing the amount of boilerplate code used. These libraries generally include documentation, configuration data, message templates, subroutines, values, classes, etc, to facilitate smooth functionality.
Best Android Libraries for 2024
The best Android libraries can grant developers access to the latest advancements and Android features. Well-maintained libraries can also improve app performance, facilitate cross-platform updates, and offer an immense level of compatibility with other libraries and frameworks. Here are a few Android libraries that have topped our list in 2024 so far:
- Dagger 2
- Retrofit
- Picasso
- Glide
- Zxing
- CAMView
- ButterKnife
- Stetho
- RxJava 2
- Holo Graph Library
- Gravity View
- Espresso
- ViewModel
- Pager 2
- Navigation
Highly Popular and Widely Used Libraries
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Dagger 2
Dagger 2 is an exceptionally useful dependency injection library for Android app development. It relies on Java annotation processes and allows quick compile-time procedures. Employing the Dagger 2 injector helps build and manage access to shared instances across classes when developing large-scale Android applications.
Features
- No XML parsing for configuration.
- Simplifies testing of complex dependencies.
- A cornerstone for dependency injection in Android development.
Pros
- Efficient object creation.
- Scalable for large projects.
- Robust compile-time validation.
Cons
- Strict adherence to conventions.
- Limited support for Android Studio plugins.
- Requires code generation.
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Retrofit
Retrofit is a type-safe REST client for both Android and Java libraries.It maps APIs from the client interface, to retrieve time-sensitive instructions from annotations. It facilitates asynchronous and synchronous API calling and execution. As a result, it simplifies the multi-step process of initiating network calls.
Features
- Type-safe HTTP requests.
- Automatic JSON parsing.
Pros
- Uses annotation processing to generate boilerplate code to handle requests and parse responses.
- Allows efficient networking implementation
Cons
- Lacks support for Android’s Otto design pattern.
- Possible performance issues when parsing JSON responses from APIs.
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Glide
Glide is another image library for Android app development. The library allows effortless continuous scrolling through a series of images and supports image manipulation. It also provides support for animated GIF files and hence also helps with presenting video calls. As an upcoming and open-source Android app library, Google recommends Glide for developers to use for image handling.
Features
- Animated GIF support.
- Thumbnail support.
- Automatic disk caching.
Pros
- Open-source library.
- Active GitHub community.
- Fast loading time from the cache
Cons
- Compromised control over parts of the code.
- May have hidden or unexpected costs.
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RxJava2
RxJava is an Android library that assists in reactive programming. Reactive programming is a process where data is transmitted from one component to another to manage asynchronous tasks effectively. RcJava2 is an efficient program for concurrent operational practices. Adhering to RxJava2 makes interpolation with other reactive programming libraries possible.
Features
- Chains asynchronous activities.
- Error handling through observable sequences
- Also offers features such as Observers and Schedulers.
Pros
- Functional approach to data streams.
- Simplifies logic setup through custom operators.
- Consistency across platforms.
Cons
- Potential overuse can complicate code
- Difficult to debug
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Espresso
Espresso is an Android testing library. It allows developers to write automation test cases for user interface (UI) testing. Developed by Google, Espresso is robust and a flexible testing framework. Tests run and created using Espresso perform exceptionally on both real devices and emulators.
Features
- Automated UI testing
- Integration with JUnit.
Pros
- Makes debugging easier
- Provides structured testing.
- Facilitates rapid test execution.
Cons
- Additional dependencies are required for testing interactions.
- Requires code to be written for non-UI components
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ViewModel
The purpose of ViewModel is to encapsulate the data for a UI controller to let the data survive configuration changes, such as screen rotation, etc. ViewModels separate the UI component code from the data which fills the UI and helps make your app modular.
Features
- ViewModel can replace Loaders like cursor loader
- Manages UI data in a life-cycle conscious way
Pros
- Provides a way to create and retrieve objects
- Helps avoid memory leaks
- Reduces boilerplate code.
Cons
- Can re-create or permanently remove device events and user actions.
- Can be tricky to use.
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ViewPager2
ViewPAger2 is an Android library introduced by Google. It effectively tackles the issues faced by its predecessor, such as support for right-to-left layout, vertical orientation, modifiable Fragment collections, etc.ViewPager2 also provides data-set change animations.
Features
- Vertical orientation support
- Auto-enabled right-to-left (RTL) support
Pros
- Modifiable fragment collectionsn
- ViewPager2 can reuse Views like RecyclerView
Cons
- Nested-scroll is not supported natively
- Can scroll multiple pages at a time.
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Navigation Compose
Navigation is known as a library that facilitates switching between destinations within the Android app. Navigation Compose also supports passing arguments between composable destinations and optional navigation arguments.
Features
- Allows users to log navigation paths
- Supports optional arguments
Pros
- Can easily manage complex navigation scenarios
- Navigation flow can be defined directly in composable code
Cons
- Can be difficult to test alongside UI logic in composable functions
- Potential Type Safety errors
Popular Libraries but with Alternatives
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Picasso
Picasso is an Android image library. It allows custom image transformation using very little memory and enables run-time image loading from external sources with minimal time delay. Picasso is gradually becoming the industry standard image library for Android App development due to its effective memory allocation.
Features
- Efficient Image transformations.
- Error handling.
- Automated disk caching.
Pros
- Updates image names from API providers.
- Decreases load time for applications.
- Simplifies image insertion to the UI, loading from the internet, etc.
Cons
- Lacks advanced image manipulation.
- Does not support animated GIFs files.
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Zxing
Zxing or Zebra Code is a barcode image analysis library. It provides an easy-to-use API that allows the integration of barcode-scanning features for your programs and applications. Zxing supports both Java and Android development, However, it also has port extensions available for other programming languages. Zxing is also the foundation for the Android Barcode Scanner.
Features
- Supports 1D and 2D barcode.
- Allows QR code and barcode
- Open source library
Pros
- Lightweight
- Supports multiple types of barcodes
- Allows the creation of personal QR codes.
Cons
- Takes up significant memory.
- High battery consumption due to flash usage
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CAMView
CAMView is a mobile imaging library. It also contains a QR scanner. It allows applications to access video feeds from the device camera, which developers can use to build live data processing through the camera feed. It also allows developers to add 3D rotational effects to the images captured using the user’s device camera. It is useful for building powerful Android apps that leverage device cameras.
Features
- Animated effects for images.
- Video preview.
- Real-time processing.
Pros
- Easy to integrate
- Constantly updated with new features.
- Thorough documentation.
Cons
- Can be tricky to implement
- Camera options may be hard to access
Deprecated Libraries
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ButterKnife
ButterKnife is a view-binding library. View binding libraries help reduce boilerplate code and work somewhat like the dependency injection procedures. Butterknife allows developers to smoothly assign IDs to view and replaces boilerplate codes with auto-injection codes.
Features
- Enables developers to make bindable and drawable-based stings
- Supports binding event listeners using annotations like onClick and onTouch
Pros
- Uses annotation-based libraries
- Uses Auto-injection codes.
Cons
- It is now a deprecated library
- Can cause errors when working with generated classes
- Not used anymore
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Stetho
Stetho is a debugging library by Meta, that functions as a debugging bridge for Android applications. It allows developers to directly debug their code through the Chrome Developer Tools. It is an effective and highly useful debugging tool and comes equipped with debugging capabilities like network inspection, database inspection, etc.
Features
- Integrated debugging through Google Chrome.
- Network traffic inspection.
Pros
- Snapshots of app information on the device.
- Provides insights on memory usage.
- Provides flexibility for profiling on an active mobile device.
Cons
- Minor performance issues
- Can cause unexpected crashes due to memory leaks.
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Holo Graph Library
Halo Graph is a graphics Android library that helps add visually appealing charts and graphs to your Android application. It is an open-source library that offers compatibility with modern applications.
Features
- Varied graphing options
- High Compatibility
- Effortless customization.
Pros
- Smooth rendering and animation.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Limited support for complex data visualizations.
- Fewer upgrades
- Compatibility issues with the latest Android versions.
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Gravity View
Gravity View is an innovative addition to Android libraries that facilitates UI design components in applications. It leverages the motion sensor that most Android devices are equipped with. It can also be used across a non-gyroscope device with the help of an Accelerometer Sensor.
Features
- Image tilting based on device motion.
- Uses the device’s motion sensor
Pros
- Engaging user experience.
- Innovative use of device hardware.
- Useful for applications with a lot of image content.
Cons
- Limited use cases.
- High battery usage if used constantly
- Popularity depends on particular use cases
Benefits of Android Libraries
Developers simply need to select the appropriate template or code from the libraries and customize it to fit their specific requirements. This approach significantly reduces both time and effort, ultimately lowering the cost of Android app development. Android libraries contribute to the development process in multiple ways, including the following:
- Code reusability
- Rapid development
- Reduced complexity
- Improved app performance
- Maintainability and updates
- Access to Advanced features
- Standardization
- Cross-platform development
- Additional support
- Third-party integration
Conclusion
Leveraging Android libraries is essential for developing high-quality applications efficiently. These libraries streamline development by eliminating the need to build functionalities from scratch, ensuring faster project completion. By using well-maintained and powerful libraries, developers can significantly enhance app performance, facilitate cross-platform updates, and ensure compatibility with other frameworks.
Whether you’re developing a complex application or an individual project, fully utilizing the best Android libraries available can make a substantial difference.
Are you seeking expert assistance in Android app development? Reach out to the Canadian Software Agency (CSA). With our expertise and adherence to industry-standard practices, CSA ensures exceptional Android app development, utilizing the best libraries and tech stack to meet your unique needs.
