25 Best Software Development Tools for Startups in 2023 – nTask

Fred Wilson highlights some of the best programs within the confines of the software tools list. 

What Are Software Development Tools?

Known as either a software development tool or a programming tool, this is a computer program that is used by software developers to support other programs and applications by creating, debugging, maintaining – so on and so forth.

The term usually refers to fairly simple programs that can achieve a task together.

These programs may be executed separately as discrete programs or are an ‘Integrated Development Environment’ (IDE), which is when this program is a part of a single large program.

Uses of Software Development Tools

1. Making Program Information Available to Humans

The high software complexity makes it difficult to understand a whole program at a glance.

Programming tools allow software developers to find bugs in the programs they are working on and avoid creating new bugs when extending a program.

Such tools enable software developers to properly envisage different kinds of information about the program they are working on.

2. Translation from Human Language to a Computer Language

Programming tools translate a program from a human-readable source language into a language that can be executed by a computer through a user interface.

Most Popular Tools Used in Agile Software Development

To make decisions easy for you, we have curated a list of popular tools used in agile software development and programming tools so you can get an idea of what each of them offers:

1. Linx

Linx is used for APIs, automation, and application development. It is a low-code development platform that builds and automates backend applications and web services.

Linx allows you to simply and swiftly build processes that allow you to control and rewrite data across multiple systems.

Linx is part of the mainstream in agile software development tools.

Features:

• Design applications using the prebuilt components to automate workflow
• Create processes to implement logic, integrations, and business rules
• Visual debugging features
• Speed up application delivery with the provided programming functions and services
• Help develop event-triggered apps, database apps, and much more

Pricing:

• IDE desktop designer plan is free
• Application server plan is $149 per month

2. Cloud9

Cloud9 is a software development environment to integrate online. Supporting multiple programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, PHP, and other Cloud9 is a great diverse option for developing software.

As of 2016, Cloud9 was acquired by Amazon Web Service and has undergone major improvements, and offers more opportunities than in 2010.

Cloud9 is one of the best tools for software developers.

Features:

• Usable for scripting, running, and debugging code in the cloud
• Code together in real-time with the collaborating options
• Easy to write, run and debug serverless applications
• Quick to run commands and access AWS services directly
• A broad selection of run configurations

Pricing:

3. NetBeans

NetBeans is the next program on our software tools list. It’s an open-source IDE that allows you to develop desktop, mobile, and web applications.

The tool is written in Java and allows you to quickly and easily create and develop applications.

NetBeans is our top choice in the drag-and-drop software development tools category, and web developers love it.

Features:

• Tools for JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3
• Community provided plugins
• Ability to write bug-free code
• Fast code editing
• Supports multiple languages

Pricing:

• Free

Related:

9 Free Best Code Editors for Windows & Mac In 2023

4. Atom

Atom is an all-around text editor and useful software development tool. It is an open-source that can be used and customized to do anything without the added effort of modifying the configuration file.

Based on its suitability for the development of management tools, we’ve included Atom in our software development tools category.

Features:

• Cross-platform editing
• Smart autocompletion allows for faster coding
• In-built package manager
• Comes with 4 UI and 8 syntax themes
• Easy to customize and style

Pricing:

• Free

5. CodeLobster

CodeLobster is a PHP IDE. The software can be used to develop a web application.

CodeLobster supports HTML, Twig, CSS, Smarty, and JavaScript. This is one of the favorite tools for JavaScript developers.

Features:

• Simplifies the software development process
• Supports WordPress, Magneto, Joomla, etc.
• CSS code inspector
• PHP debugging facilities
• Advanced autocomplete options allow for easy coding

Pricing:

• Free version
• Professional version for $79.95 per 3 activations
• Further updates cost $19.95 per year

6. GitHub

GitHub is a development and collaboration platform devoted to code. GitHub allows for both code review and code management.

The software provides the rights tools needed for development jobs and allows users to build applications and software, host code, review code, and manage projects. It warrants its ranking on our commercial software tools list.

Features:

• Build, test, deploy and run CI/CD automated the way you want your workflow
• Development teams from different places can work together to secure the world’s software supply chain
• Get alerts about your code’s vulnerabilities
• Automatically update those vulnerabilities
• Code review

Pricing:

• Basic plan for free
• Team plan for $4 per user per month
• Enterprise plan for $21 per user per month

7. Codenvy

Codenvy is used to code and debug applications. The software is on a cloud development environment that allows for project sharing and collaboration in real-time.

Features:

• Create workspaces starting with production runtimes
• Develop with any IDE
• Collaboration option with your team members
• Agile-driven

Pricing:

• Free with 3GB RAM and an additional $10 per GB per month
• Free for 3 developers and an additional $20 per user per month

8. Bootstrap

Bootstrap is a framework for developing CSS, JS, and HTML. With many in-built components, Bootstrap is a great software development tool to develop responsive web pages easily.

Features:

• Use readymade blocks of code
• An extensive list of components
• Customizable options

Pricing:

• Free

9. Jira

Jira is popular in the software development industry. This software development tool can be used by agile teams. Agile teams can use this software tool to plan, track, and release the software they develop.

Features:

• Create user issues, plan sprints and distribute tasks among your team
• Prioritize and communicate with your team about their work
• Keep up to date and informed
• Reports on team performance
• Create workflows
• Extend the software with apps or integrate apps you already use

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Standard plan limited to 11 to 100 users, for $7 per user per month
• Premium plan limited to 100 users, for $14 per user per month

Check this out: 

Top 24 Jira Alternatives for Smarter Project Management in 2023

10. GitLab

GitLab is a complete DevOps platform. The software allows for project planning, source code management, CI/CD, and monitoring.

GitLab claims to be the first single application for the entire DevOps lifecycle.

Features:

• Manage and optimize software delivery with insights into your business performance
• Planning tools to keep everyone on the same page
• Create, view, and manage code
• Automatic testing and reporting features
• Built-in package management allows you to keep a dependable software supply chain.
• Security capabilities
• Ship code with zero-touch
• Configure applications and infrastructure
• Automatically monitor metrics

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Starter plan for $4 per user per month
• Premium plan for $19 per user per month
• Ultimate plan for $99 per user per month

11. Zend Studio

Zend Studio is the next-generation PHP IDE. The software allows for faster coding and easier debugging.

The software allows users to create apps to boost the developer’s productivity.

The tool can be used as a standalone server or in conjunction with the Zend Server for a wholly integrated solution.

Features:

• PHP profiler and debugging
• Code Editor
• Built-in tools, including PHP unit testing and source control
• Integrate with other software
• PHP framework supported
• API integration
• Cloud deployment

12. Bitbucket

Bitbucket is a tool for version control. It is one tool for all your needs, from code to deployment.

Bitbucket integrates well with Jira, an application we spoke about above that is popular for software development.

Features:

• Code review and collaboration
• Provide granular access control to your team
• Integrated CI/CD tools
• Deployment permissions

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Standard plan starting from $3 per user per month
• Premium plan starting from $6 per user per month

13. CodeCharge Studio

CodeCharge Studio is among software development tools for quick web application development. The software is a web application development and web reporting tool.

Features:

• Pre-built solutions
• Database to web converter
• Visual IDE and code generator
• Web reports, galleries, calendars, charts, Ajax, etc.

Pricing:

• Prices start from $139.95

14. Eclipse

Eclipse is a developer workspace server as well as a cloud IDE. The software allows a combination of multiple languages and other features with their default packages.

Features:

• Can be used to create web, desktop, and cloud IDEs
• Refactoring, code completion, syntax checking
• Error debugging
• Easy to integrate with other frameworks

15. CloudForge

CloudForge is a collaborative cloud development platform. CloudForge is a Software as a service or SaaS, which can be used for application development.

Features:

• Version control hosting
• Ability to collaborate and connect with others
• Bug and issue tracking options
• Granular permissions and project access

Pricing:

• Standard plan for $2 per user per month
• Professional plan for $10 per user per month

16. Azure

Azure by Microsoft is a software development program for developers to build, deploy, and manage web applications.

Features:

• Supports multiple operating systems
• Supports multiple languages, frameworks, and devices
• Detection and mitigation of threats
• Proactive app management

Pricing:

17. Spiralogics Application Architecture

Spiralogics Application Architecture is a software development tool that is cloud-based. It allows you to build applications out-of-box.

Features:

• Access controls and permissions
• Deployment management
• No-code
• Software development
• Web app development

Pricing:

• Free trial
• Price starting from $25 per month per user

18. Postman

Postman is a collaboration platform for API development. The software allows you to streamline collaboration and create better APIs faster because of the simpler step-by-step application.

Features:

• Send REST, GraphQL, and SOAP requests
• Automated testing
• Generate and publish documentation to make API easier to consume
• Monitor API performance
• Collaborate in real-time

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Team plan for $15 per user per month
• Business plan for $30 per user per month
• Enterprise customizable plan

19. Axure

Next up in the software development tools list is Axure. Axure is used by IT consultants, product managers, and business analysts across the globe. Axure provides features to be able to produce wireframes, create documentation, and prototypes, all without code.

Features:

• Generate HTML prototype and share with links
• Collaboration facilities
• Create and maintain widget libraries

Pricing:

• Pro plan for $29 per user per month
• Team plan for $49 per user per month
• Customizable enterprise plans

20. Visual studio

Visual Studio is a tool to make app development easy for any platform and language. This software development platform makes it easy to plan, build, and ship software across different platforms.

Features:

• Write code fast
• Debugging and diagnosis with ease
• Frequent testing
• Customizable options
• Collaborative features

Pricing:

• Professional plan for $45 per month
• Enterprise plan for $250 per month

21. Zapier

Zapier is a software that allows for fast and automated work in your developer lifecycle. This software allows you to move between web applications automatically, focusing your attention on other work.

Features:

• Create workflows
• No coding required
• Integration with other applications

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Starter plan for $24.99 per month
• Professional plan for $61.25 per month
• Team plan for $373.75 per month
• Company plan for $748.75 per month

22. Kotlin

Kotlin is an open-source project and among well-known software development tools. Kotlin is a modern programming language that allows for ease in a developer’s work.

Features:

• Provide output in optimal size
• Provide output readable by JavaScript
• Provide interoperability with existing module systems

23. Mockplus

Mockplus is a collaborative design platform to make designer-developer work smoothly. It offers features like creating wireframes, prototypes, UI design, and collaboration design.

It transforms the way design teams collaborate on design projects and streamlines the handoff from designers to developers. The developers can enjoy the code-free and pixel-perfect design process without chaos.

Key features:

• Developers can inspect, copy and download design specs, assets, and code snippets with one click;
• It connects designing and developing close and makes design handoff more effective.
• It makes you enjoy rapid prototyping as well as low-fi wireframing.
• By building excellent communication between designers and developers, everyone stays in the loop for collaboration.

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Pro plan for $4.95 per user/month

24. HeadSpin

HeadSpin is a Connected Intelligence PlatformTM and one of the first in the world. The platform provides Mobile, Web, Intranet of Things, and 5G solutions.

The software allows unified testing, monitoring, and such functionalities across applications, devices, and even networks.

HeadSpin allows connected experiences for development, operations, and product teams alike, thus ensuring digital business success.

Features:

• More than 30 automation frameworks
• Ability to test in real user conditions
• Ability to run multiple tests in parallel
• Intelligent alerting
• Proactive root cause analysis
• Remote debugging
• Locally debugging and code profiling

Pricing:

• Free trial
• Upgradable options for private devices

25. Buddy

Lastly, we’ve got Buddy on our software tools list. It’s a CI/CD tool to drop the entry threshold to DevOps further.

The software uses delivery pipelines to build, test, and deploy code snippets/ apps without hassle.

These pipelines are created with over one hundred ready-to-use actions that can be customized according to your liking.

Features:

• Fast configuration
• Quick deployments based on changesets
• Supports different languages, frameworks, and task managers
• Ability to support parallelism and YAML configuration
• Ability to integrate with other software

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Pro plan available for $75 per month
• Hyper plan available for $200 per month
• Additional cache storage of 10 GB for $10 per month

Conclusion:

We hope this list has helped you to some extent. Don’t forget to match up the software development tools features against whatever your company or project requirements are.

The inability to purchase the right program often leads to project failure in the long run. As a result, PMs normally don’t admit their mistake; they blame the “recommended” software instead.

Therefore, ensure that the program’s been evaluated before paying full price upfront for the version you’re eventually looking to use.