Best iPhone and Android Apps for Busy Developers

Mobile apps are everywhere, and for good reason.

As of last year, the total number of downloaded mobile apps was a little more than 100 billion, with that number projected to reach as high as 200 billion in 2017.

Statistics also show that up to 89% of mobile users spend their time on apps versus 11% who browse the web. That means that during any given day, the average user will spend over an hour fiddling around with apps. And web developers are no exception.

In fact, there are many helpful apps out there that can help developers do a better job finishing projects, communicating with clients, or sharpening skills.

But why would you use a mobile app if you have a laptop or desktop nearby?

3 Reasons to Use Mobile Apps

There are a number of reasons you might want to jump off of your desktop browser and open up the app store on your smartphone:

1. You Work On the Go

Whether you spend a lot of time traveling or you simply like to work from the comfort of your own couch, getting to work from wherever you want is a big convenience that mobile apps provide.

Why spend all the time lugging around your laptop or going into the office to work on your desktop when you can pull out your phone, do some quick HTML edits, and move on with your day?

Mobile apps allow you to update web pages, make quick sketches, code HTML, and upload and share projects from anywhere.

2. You’re Testing Your Mobile Site

More than 80% of all Internet users own a smartphone and use mobile devices to browse the web, so the need for mobile testing is high. But switching back and forth between testing sites on an actual mobile device and making updates to your code can be time consuming.

Why not test your site and then use an app to make live updates? You may not need the feature all of the time, but mobile editing apps can be the perfect solution for a quick fix or to test sites on the fly.

3. You Like to Multitask

No one really likes to work when they’re not in the office, but sometimes project needs come first. The good news is that you can use mobile apps alongside traditional desktop apps to help you in the office and out.

Check your site stats while you’re away to make sure everything's running smoothly, reference code when you’re testing without opening another browser, or simply make a quick sketch while you’re out to coffee to try when you’re back at work.

Mobile apps have the flexibility to help you multitask to achieve objectives faster than ever, and while some apps are helpful for minor tasks, more robust apps may surprise you.

Best Dev Apps for iOS and Android

With all of that being said, here are the top apps that developers should try out to improve their overall performance and productivity.

Google Analytics

If you’re already working with Google Analytics for your website, you’ll want to download the GA app. It gives you access to many of the details from your GA account in real time, and can keep you up to date on your SEO.

iOS – Find it here.

Android – Find it here.

WordPress

Having quick access to your self-hosted WordPress site can be handy, especially if things have a tendency to go wrong at the last minute. With this app you can manage your site, view stats, moderate comments, create and edit posts and pages, and upload media.

iOS – Find it here.

Android – Find it here.

WebMaster’s HTML Editor

Espresso HTML

AndFTP

AndFTP is a FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP client that comes with both a device and FTP file browser. It allows you to download, upload, synchronize and share features, as well as open local and remote files, rename, delete, update permissions, and more.

Android – Find it here.

View Source

View Source is an iOS app that comes with a Safari extension to help you view the source code for any web page. You can enter a URL and immediately see the code, highlight syntax, and copy and paste into any other app or program.

iOS – Find it here.

ByWord

ByWord is a writing app with Markdown for the iPhone that allows you to sync text documents, add footnotes, tables and references, and export Markdown documents to PDF or HTML.

iOS – Find it here.

Harvest

While not specifically targeted to developers, Harvest is a powerful tracking app that helps you track time, log expenses, and manage and send invoices from anywhere. For developers who spend more time recording things than actually working on projects, this app is a must.

iOS – Find it here.

Android – Find it here.

Dropbox

The Dropbox mobile app is the same as the desktop app, giving you a safe space to backup, access, and share any files you need at any time. You can also send large files to anyone, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account.

iOS – Find it here.

Android – Find it here.

Adobe Cloud Apps

For designers and developers alike, Adobe has a suite of mobile apps to help productivity, including Illustrator Draw, Photoshop Sketch, Photoshop Fix, Photoshop Mix, Lightroom, Comp CC, Preview CC, and more.

iOS & Android – Find them here.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your coding skills, make a quick project sketch, or you need to make updates to your site on the go, mobile apps are the perfect solution.

Remember that most apps come with a free or cheap version so that you can try it out before you fully commit. So, don’t be afraid to use mobile and tablet apps to aid your process during any project.