Codename One

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Score7.5

Rank#3 of 37

From$2.08/mo

Free planYes

Free trialYes

Runs onAndroid, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows

Summary

Codename One is an open-source framework for Java and Kotlin developers building native apps from a shared codebase. Listed targets include Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux, and Windows. Its toolkit draws its own UI components and bundles the runtime and theme with the application. Developers can call platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views such as maps, web views, and camera surfaces. Projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code, or another Maven-capable IDE. The documented sign-in options cover OpenID Connect, Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication. Security guidance includes secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs. The free plan includes 100 cloud build credits per month, with each iOS cloud build using eight credits, and an 8.5 MB user JAR limit. Paid plans start at $25/user/mo (annual), and a 14-day trial is listed. Commercial use is available without royalties or per-app fees.

Who it is for

It suits Java or Kotlin developers who want to build apps for mobile, desktop, and web targets from a shared codebase. Its free tier may suit projects that can work within the stated build-credit and JAR limits.

What is good

Targets Android, iOS, desktop, and web
Supports native SDK access and embedded views
Free plan includes 100 monthly cloud build credits
Commercial use has no royalties or per-app fees
Supports Java and Kotlin

What to know first

Free tier has an 8.5 MB user JAR limit
Each iOS cloud build uses eight credits
Pro and Enterprise support options vary by plan

Verdict

Codename One offers a shared-codebase route to multiple app targets, with native interfaces and Maven-based projects. Review the free build limits and plan-specific support before deciding which tier fits.

Codename One plans and pricing

All plans

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 beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026

Basic $25/yr 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 beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026

Pro $85/yr Billed annually at $1020/year Everything in Basic · Concurrent cloud builds · Crash Protection with GitHub Issues · 1 million push notifications/month · Email support beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026

Enterprise $450/yr 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 beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on mobile development IDEs

Free plan: Yescodenameone.com
Paid from: $25/user/mocodenameone.com
Mobile targets: Android, iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOScodenameone.com
Desktop platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxcodenameone.com
Emulator or simulator: Yescodenameone.com
Visual UI designer: Yescodenameone.com
App packaging: Yescodenameone.com
Supported languages: Java, Kotlincodenameone.com

Facts

Product: Codename One is an open-source cross-platform framework for Java and Kotlin developers to build native apps from a shared codebase.beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
App targets: The listed targets include Android, iOS, macOS, web browsers, Linux, and Windows.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
UI: The toolkit draws its own components and packages its runtime and theme with the application.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Native access: Developers can call platform SDKs through native interfaces and embed heavyweight views such as maps, web views, and camera surfaces.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Build workflow: Current projects use Maven and can be opened in IntelliJ IDEA, NetBeans, Eclipse, VS Code, or another Maven-capable IDE.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Integrations: The documented sign-in stack covers OpenID Connect, Sign in with Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft Entra ID, Auth0, and Firebase Authentication.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Security: The security guide documents secure storage, encryption, certificate pinning, device integrity checks, and cryptographic APIs.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
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.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The Free plan includes community support, Pro includes email support, and Enterprise includes phone support during office hours.beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
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.beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
Commercial use: The framework is available for commercial use without royalties or per-app fees.beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
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.beta.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026
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.codenameone.com · 29 Sept 2026