In this article, Fred Wilson explores the Best Software Development Tools for Startups in 2022.
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 is used to refer to fairly simple programs, which together can achieve a task.
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 complexity of software 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 allows them to avoid creating new bugs when they are 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
Programing 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 used to build and automate backend applications as well as 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 when it comes to 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 in $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 its starting 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 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 2022
4. Atom
Atom is an all-around text editor and useful software development tools. 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 as well as host code, review code, and manage projects. It definitely warrants it’s ranking in our commercial software development tools category.
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 easily develop responsive web pages.
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 2022
10. GitLab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform. The software allows for project planning, source code management as well as 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 for boosting 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 which 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 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, 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 allowing you to focus 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 developers’ work.
Features:
Provide output in optimal size
Provide output readable by JavaScript
Provide interoperability with existing module systems
23. 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 unifying of testing, monitoring, and such functionalities across applications, devices, and even networks.
HeadSpin allows for optimized 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
24. Buddy
A CI/CD tool for web developers Buddy is designed to drop the entry threshold to DevOps.
The software uses delivery pipelines to build, test, and then deploy code snippets/ apps without any 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 10GB for $10 per month
Conclusion:
We hope this list helped you to some extent. Don’t forget to match up the software development tools features against whatever your company or project requirements are.
Often times, the inability to purchase the right program leads to project failure in the long run. As a result, PMs normally don’t admit their mistake; they blame the “recommended” software instead.
According to Develux, the software provides the rights tools needed for development jobs and allows users to build applications and software as well as host code, review code, and manage projects. It definitely warrants it’s ranking in our commercial software development tools category.
