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Codename One

codenameone.com

From $25/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 9.3 #1 of 41 in Mobile Development IDEs

What it is

Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building apps from one codebase for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, and web browsers. Its toolkit renders its own interface components and bundles the runtime and theme with each app. Developers can access platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views, including maps, web views, and camera surfaces. Projects use Maven and work in Maven-capable IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, and VS Code. The documented security tools include secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs; App Shield adds short-lived attestation tokens on Enterprise. The Free plan provides 100 cloud build credits monthly, with iOS builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit. Commercial use carries no royalties or per-app fees. Pricing lists a free plan, paid plans from $25/user/mo billed annually, and a 14-day trial. Platforms also list watchOS and tvOS among mobile targets.

Spec sheet

What it does
Codename One is an open-source Java and Kotlin framework that turns one codebase into native applications for mobile, desktop, web, watch, TV and vehicle targets.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Product
Codename One is an open-source cross-platform framework for Java and Kotlin developers to build native apps from a shared codebase.Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Integrations
The documented sign-in stack covers OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Security
The security guide documents secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Support
The Free plan includes community support, Pro includes email support, and Enterprise includes phone support during office hours.Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
License
The framework is licensed GPLv2 with the Classpath Exception and permits commercial use without royalties.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Founded
2012Read 28 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
API size
The published client API reference lists 2,181 documented types across 182 packages.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
API surface
Documented APIs include advertising, analytics, AI inference, language, vision, push, security and many platform integrations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
App targets
The listed targets include Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux, and Windows.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Authentication integrations
The identity guide documents OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, Firebase Authentication and passkeys/WebAuthn.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Authentication security
The security implementation exposes portable hashing and HMAC plus native-provider AES, RSA, ECDSA and secure-random operations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Build privacy
The pricing FAQ says normal builds do not send source code to the cloud, while native platform sources may be uploaded when required for native compilation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Build workflow
Current projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code, or another Maven-capable IDE.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Commercial use
The framework is available for commercial use without royalties or per-app fees.Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Company history
Codename One's press page lists its initial release as 2012 and says its open-source project began in 2007 within Sun Microsystems.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Company legal name
The official site footer identifies the maker as Codename One LTD.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Documentation depth
The Developer Guide covers getting started, UI, data, networking, server-side work, platform services, AI, security, monetization, testing, shipping and platform guides.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Enterprise security feature
App Shield is an Enterprise feature that issues short-lived attestation tokens based on server-side verification of Apple App Attest and Google Play Integrity statements.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Free limits
The free cloud tier has 100 build credits per month, with iOS builds using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit.Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Independent company profile
LinkedIn lists Codename One as privately held, founded in 2012, headquartered in Tel Aviv and employing 2–10 people.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Independent workflow review
Baeldung describes Codename One as Maven-based, cloud-assisted, scriptable through CI and able to target iOS, Android, JavaScript, Windows and macOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · baeldung.com
Limit: documentation and compatibility
G2 reviewers report missing documentation, occasional platform discrepancies and the need for extra error checks.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: graphics and portability
A Stack Overflow discussion describes gaps in the Java portability layer, possible need for native integrations and suboptimal graphics performance for text-heavy screens.Read 14 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Limit: setup and libraries
Trustpilot reviewers report Certificate Wizard or server errors, outdated UI-builder plugins and difficulty integrating third-party libraries.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Local builds
Android, iOS, JavaScript and desktop targets can be built locally when the required native toolchains are installed.Read 14 Oct 2026 · stackoverflow.com
Maps integration
The maps API offers a provider-neutral MapView plus NativeMap integrations with providers such as Apple MapKit and Google Maps.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Monetization
The framework supports consumable, non-consumable and renewable or non-renewable in-app purchases and subscriptions on Android and iOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Native access
Developers can call platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views such as maps, web views, and camera surfaces.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
Native compilation
On iOS, ParparVM translates reachable Java bytecode to C and Xcode compiles and signs the resulting native project.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Notable news
On July 31, 2026, Push V3 introduced typed messages, managed credentials, segmentation, analytics and surface updates, with migration to cloud.codenameone.com advised.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Open-source scope
Wikipedia describes the client-side ports as open source while identifying the server build code and Codename One LIVE tool as proprietary.Read 14 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Platform limitation
The UWP target was removed from the Maven plugin in release 7.0.229 and is treated as historical.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Praise: cross-platform development
G2 reviewers praise writing one Java codebase for iPhone and Android, faster delivery and native multi-platform output.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: support and productivity
Trustpilot reviewers mention helpful support, community assistance and time savings from maintaining one project for multiple platforms.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Push integration
Push APIs provide typed registration, delivery, actions, listeners and custom transports, with a Codename One push service option.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Rating on G2
4.4 out of 5 from 5 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Trustpilot
3.8 out of 5 from 9 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Security features
Security documentation covers secure storage, encrypted storage, secrets, certificate pinning, device integrity, attestation, cryptography and one-time passwords.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Self-hosting
Wikipedia records an offline in-house build cloud option that removes dependence on Codename One's hosted build servers.Read 14 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Supported IDEs
Official tooling works with IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, VS Code and Eclipse, and projects can be driven from Maven or the command line.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
System requirements
The hosted workflow can build native iOS apps from Windows or Linux because the required Mac toolchain runs in Codename One's cloud.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
UI
The toolkit draws its own components and packages its runtime and theme with the application.Read 29 Sep 2026 · codenameone.com
UI architecture
The framework custom-renders its portable UI and can embed native views through native interfaces and PeerComponent.Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Always free 100 cloud build credits/month · 8 credits per iOS cloud build · 8.5 MB user JAR limit · JavaScript cloud and local web builds Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Free Free 100 cloud-build credits/month · 8 credits per iOS cloud build · 8.5 MB user JAR · JavaScript cloud/local builds Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Basic $25 a month Billed annually at $300/year Unlimited build credits · native sources · 50 MB JAR · 5,000 push notifications/month · 5 automated submissions/month Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Pro $85 a month Billed annually at $1020/year Everything in Basic · concurrent builds · Crash Protection · 1 million push notifications/month · email support Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Basic $300 a year Billed annually at $300/year Unlimited build credits · Native platform sources · 50 MB build JAR size · 5,000 push notifications/month · 5 automated submissions/month Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Enterprise $450 a month Billed annually at $5400/year Everything in Pro · high-priority builds and CI · on-device tests · 10 million push notifications/month · phone support Read 14 Oct 2026 · codenameone.com
Pro $1,020 a year Billed annually at $1020/year Everything in Basic · Concurrent cloud builds · Crash Protection with GitHub Issues · 1 million push notifications/month · Email support Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com
Enterprise $5,400 a year Billed annually at $5400/year Everything in Pro · High-priority builds and CI · On-device unit tests · 10 million push notifications/month · Phone support during office hours Read 29 Sep 2026 · beta.codenameone.com

Every Codename One plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • One Java or Kotlin codebase targets multiple platforms.
  • Native SDK access and heavyweight views are supported.
  • Security guidance covers encryption and certificate pinning.
  • Commercial use has no royalties or per-app fees.

Limits

  • Free cloud builds are limited to 100 credits monthly.
  • Each iOS cloud build uses eight credits.
  • Free user JAR limit is 8.5 MB.
  • Paid plans start at $25/user/mo billed annually.

Who it suits

It suits Java or Kotlin developers building across mobile, desktop, and web targets from a shared codebase. The Free plan may fit projects within its monthly build-credit and JAR limits; larger build needs or additional support are addressed by paid plans.

Codename One in depth

Read the full write-up

Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building apps from shared code. It is best suited to teams that want mobile, desktop and web targets while retaining access to platform SDKs. Choose it for that reach and royalty-free commercial use; budget for paid builds if the free cloud quota is too tight.

Overview

One project can target Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux and Windows. The toolkit draws its own components and ships its runtime and theme with each app, which favors a consistent interface across platforms over default reliance on each platform’s native widgets. Native interfaces still let developers call platform SDKs, and heavyweight views such as maps, web views and camera surfaces can be embedded.

Current projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code or another Maven-capable IDE. Java and Kotlin support makes this a framework for developers already comfortable in those languages, not a no-code route to apps. Commercial use carries no royalties or per-app fees.

Key features

Development and integrations

The shared-code approach is paired with a visual UI designer, packaging support and emulator or simulator support. Sign-in integrations cover OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0 and Firebase Authentication, a broad set for apps that need established identity providers.

Security and build privacy

Security guidance covers secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks and cryptographic APIs. Enterprise adds App Shield: short-lived attestation tokens are issued following server-side verification of Apple App Attest and Google Play Integrity statements. Normal builds do not send source code to the cloud, though native platform sources may be uploaded when native compilation requires them.

Pricing

The model is freemium, with a 14-day trial and a free plan. Paid plans are billed annually; the pricing summary gives the entry price as $25/user/mo (annual).

Free: free, always free. It includes 100 cloud build credits per month, with each iOS cloud build consuming eight credits, an 8.5 MB user JAR limit, and JavaScript cloud and local web builds. Community support is included. This is a useful evaluation tier, but the credit and JAR caps may be restrictive for sustained or iOS-heavy work.

Basic: $25 a year, billed annually at $300/year. It adds unlimited build credits, native platform sources, a 50 MB build JAR limit, 5,000 push notifications per month and five automated submissions per month. It suits projects whose main obstacle is the free tier’s build or package ceiling.

Pro: $85 a year, billed annually at $1020/year. It includes Basic, concurrent cloud builds, Crash Protection with GitHub Issues, one million push notifications per month and email support. The higher spend fits teams that need parallel builds, issue-linked crash handling or greater notification capacity.

Enterprise: $450 a year, billed annually at $5400/year. It includes Pro, high-priority builds and CI, on-device unit tests, 10 million push notifications per month, App Shield and phone support during office hours. It is aimed at teams needing those security, testing and support capabilities.

Platforms

Targets span Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and web. This is unusually broad for a single-codebase framework, but the toolkit’s own components mean teams prioritizing native widgets by default should weigh the UI trade-off. Cloud and local web builds are available on Free; paid plans add progressively larger build and service allowances.

Who it's for

Codename One is a strong fit for Java or Kotlin teams building commercial apps that need several mobile, desktop or web targets and occasional platform-specific SDK access. Its no-royalty, no-per-app-fee terms also suit products expected to ship commercially. It is less compelling for developers who do not want a Maven-based development workflow or who require platform-native UI components as the default.

Pros and cons

Pro: Broad mobile, desktop and web targets let teams pursue multiple platforms from shared code.

Pro: Native interfaces and embedded heavyweight views preserve access to platform SDKs and common system surfaces.

Pro: Commercial use has no royalties or per-app fees.

Con: Free cloud builds are capped at 100 credits monthly, and iOS builds use eight credits each.

Con: The 8.5 MB free user JAR limit may force an upgrade as an app grows.

Con: Its own UI components and packaged runtime favor consistency rather than native widgets by default.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Mobile Development IDEs. Felgo is another freemium cross-platform option with Android, iOS, desktop and web targets. Monaca is worth comparing if its free tier’s cloud IDE, debugging tool, three projects and three remote builds per 24 hours fit your workflow. Qt Creator offers a free open-source version, with Qt use subject to LGPL/GPL obligations. Godot Engine is a free, open-source game engine with no contracts or hidden fees. B4X includes free Android development through B4A, including for commercial purposes. MobileTogether Designer is another freemium option targeting Android, iOS, web and Windows. Defold is free forever with no licensing, royalty or runtime fees. DroidScript is free to download, with optional paid plugins and donations.

Verdict

Choose Codename One if your Java or Kotlin team wants broad cross-platform reach, platform SDK access and commercial shipping without royalties or per-app charges. Its main draw is combining those targets with a Maven workflow; its main caveat is that the free cloud tier has real build and package limits, while the paid plans carry annual costs. Teams that need platform-native UI by default or cannot justify those tiers should look elsewhere.

Verdict

Codename One combines broad platform targets with native access and a Maven-based workflow. Check the Free plan's build limits and the annual cost of paid tiers against your project needs.

Where Specifiction places it

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