B4X

B4X is a family of development tools for programmers building apps across mobile, desktop, server, and embedded devices. It suits developers who want separate tools for those targets with substantial code reuse across mobile projects. Its breadth is appealing, but iOS development carries extra setup and an annual Apple developer account cost.

Overview

B4X divides its work among focused tools: B4A for Android, B4i for iOS, B4J for desktop and server applications, and B4R for microcontrollers. The maker describes compiled iOS, Android, Arduino, and ESP8266 apps as native and dependency-free. It also says B4A, B4J, and B4i projects can share 90% or more of their code through cross-platform libraries, a potentially meaningful reduction in duplicated work for teams targeting several platforms.

B4X uses a language described as a modern version of Visual Basic and also supports Java. That makes it a better fit for developers comfortable with those languages than for teams looking for one conventional toolkit across every target. Anywhere Software has specialized in mobile development since 2005.

Key features

Mobile development

B4A includes a visual GUI designer for multiple screens and orientations, and supports debugging over USB or a wireless bridge. Those features give Android developers practical options for building and diagnosing interfaces across device layouts. B4i is the iOS counterpart, but its prerequisites are substantial: an Apple developer account costing $99 per year, an iOS 11-or-later device, and Windows 7 64-bit or a virtual machine for the IDE. The hosted Mac Builder supports projects up to 50 MB, so larger builds need another route.

Desktop, server, and embedded targets

B4J can create desktop UI applications, console programs, and server solutions; its apps can run on Windows, Mac, Linux, and ARM boards such as Raspberry Pi. That range makes it useful for developers who want desktop and server work alongside mobile projects without restricting deployment to standard PCs. B4R supports Arduino, ESP8266, and ESP32, with setup instructions calling for Arduino IDE v2 and Arduino CLI. Its libraries are open source under the MIT license, with code on GitHub.

Visual UI design, app packaging, and emulator or simulator support round out the development workflow. The breadth is useful, though B4X is a collection of target-specific tools rather than a promise that every project or workflow is shared.

Pricing

The free tools are unusually practical for commercial work: B4A, B4J, and B4R each cost nothing, including commercial use. They cover Android; desktop, server, and IoT; and Arduino, ESP8266, and ESP32 development respectively. They do not include iOS development, which is paid through B4i.

Paid licenses are one-time purchases, per developer, and applications developed with B4A, B4i, or B4J are royalty free. Standard editions cost $59, paid once for B4A or B4i and include two months of free upgrades. Enterprise editions cost $119, paid once for either tool and include two years of free upgrades. For a site license, B4A Site costs $599, paid once, covers up to 30 developers on a single site, and includes two years of free upgrades.

iOS buyers can add a hosted builder: B4i Standard + Hosted Mac Builder costs $85, paid once, and B4i Enterprise + Hosted Mac Builder costs $145, paid once. Both include one year of hosted builder service; the respective upgrade periods are two months and two years. The hosted service's 50 MB project cap and the separate $99-per-year Apple developer account remain important costs and constraints. No free trial is offered. The maker says it answers email within 24 hours and directs technical questions to its forum.

Platforms

B4X covers Android and iOS on mobile, Windows, macOS, and Linux on desktop, plus server and embedded development. B4J's support for ARM boards such as Raspberry Pi extends its reach beyond desktop computers, while B4R addresses specific microcontroller families. This is a broad mix for a developer who wants several deployment targets, but embedded support is tied to the named boards and setup requirements rather than a general-purpose hardware promise.

Who it's for

B4X is a strong candidate for individual developers and small teams building Android apps, desktop or server software, or projects involving Arduino, ESP8266, and ESP32. The free commercial-use tools make it possible to start on those targets without a license purchase, and the per-developer paid licenses keep iOS and upgraded editions available as needs grow. Teams should weigh the separate IDEs and iOS prerequisites before standardizing on it, especially if their developers lack compatible Apple-account and device access.

Pros and cons

• Pro: B4A, B4J, and B4R are free even for commercial use, covering Android, desktop/server, and several embedded platforms.
• Pro: The maker says B4A, B4J, and B4i projects can share 90% or more of their code, which can reduce duplication across supported mobile and desktop work.
• Pro: Perpetual, per-developer licenses and royalty-free apps give paid users clear ownership terms.
• Con: iOS requires a $99-per-year Apple developer account, an iOS 11-or-later device, and Windows 7 64-bit or a VM for the IDE.
• Con: The hosted Mac Builder is limited to projects up to 50 MB and its included service period is one year on the bundled plans.
• Con: The Visual Basic-oriented language and separate target tools may not suit teams seeking one familiar cross-platform toolchain.

Alternatives

Mobile Development IDEs is a useful starting point for comparing tools by category. Consider Godot Engine instead when the priority is a free, open-source game engine with no contracts or hidden fees. Codename One may suit Java developers who want cloud builds; its free plan includes 100 cloud build credits per month, with eight credits per iOS cloud build. Choose Defold for a free option that explicitly has no licensing, royalty, or runtime fees. Felgo is another freemium option, with a Personal plan for annual turnover under €50k and a Startup plan at €79 a month billed annually. Monaca may be preferable for a cloud IDE workflow: its free plan includes a debugging tool, three projects, and three remote builds per 24 hours. Qt Creator offers an open-source edition, but Qt framework use is subject to LGPL/GPL obligations. DroidScript is a free-to-download alternative with optional paid plugins and donations. GameMaker is worth considering for game development, though its free plan is limited to non-commercial use and excludes console exports.

Verdict

Choose B4X if you want a broad toolkit with free commercial-use options for Android, desktop, server, or embedded work and value the prospect of substantial code sharing. Its clearest drawback is iOS: the annual Apple account, device and IDE requirements, and hosted-builder cap add cost and friction. Developers focused on uncomplicated iOS setup or a single conventional toolchain should look elsewhere.