Logo of Kotlin

Kotlin

Website LinkedIn Twitter

Last updated on

Company health

Employee growth
10% increase in the last year
Web traffic
3% decrease in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.7/5
(41)
Glassdoor
4.3/5
(251)

Kotlin description

Kotlin is a modern programming language designed to simplify the creation of applications across different platforms like Android, iOS, web, and desktop. It's known for being concise, safe, and easily understandable, which can lead to faster development times and fewer errors. Kotlin also emphasizes code reusability, meaning developers can write code once and use it across multiple platforms, saving time and resources.


Who is Kotlin best for

Kotlin is great for software developers building cross-platform apps, especially mobile apps for Android. We find that its simplified syntax, null safety features, and Java interoperability are major wins. Keep in mind that some users report slower compile times and resource-intensive IDEs, but overall, it's a solid choice for streamlining development.

  • Great for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises seeking efficient cross-platform development.

  • Perfect for the Software/IT/Telecommunications industry, especially companies focused on mobile app development.


Kotlin features

Supported

Native UI: Share logic between platforms while keeping the UI native to each platform.

Supported

Shared UI: Share both business logic and UI code across platforms, leveraging Compose Multiplatform.

Supported

Cross-Platform Mobile Development: Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile allows you to use a single codebase for the business logic of iOS and Android apps.

Supported

Code Sharing Across Platforms: Kotlin Multiplatform allows developers to share code among supported platforms, such as Android, iOS, JVM, JS, and Native.

Supported

Mobile App Development (Native UI): Use Kotlin Multiplatform to create a mobile app with shared logic and native UI for iOS and Android in Android Studio.

Supported

Cross-Platform UI Development: Build an application with shared UI and logic for Android, iOS, and desktop platforms with Compose Multiplatform.

Supported

Selective Code Sharing: Share code between different platforms, even if only a small part of the logic needs to be shared.


Kotlin reviews

We've summarised 41 Kotlin reviews (Kotlin G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Kotlin
  • Simplified development with concise syntax and reduced boilerplate
  • Null safety features prevent null pointer exceptions
  • Seamless interoperability with Java
  • Excellent for Android development and increasingly used for multiplatform projects
  • Coroutines simplify asynchronous programming
Cons of Kotlin
  • Slower compile times compared to Java
  • Android Studio, the primary IDE for Kotlin, can be resource intensive, leading to system freezes
  • Limited community support compared to more established languages like Java
  • Debugging and exception handling can be challenging

Kotlin alternatives

  • Logo of Azul Platform Core (Zulu)
    Azul Platform Core (Zulu)
    Open-source Java: secure, reliable, and free.
    Read more
  • Logo of React Native
    React Native
    Build native mobile apps for iOS and Android from one codebase.
    Read more
  • Logo of Kawa
    Kawa
    Scheme-based scripting for Java, offering power and flexibility.
    Read more
  • Logo of Fuse
    Fuse
    Build native iOS & Android apps faster with visual tools & JavaScript.
    Read more
  • Logo of Visual LANSA
    Visual LANSA
    Low-code platform builds, modernizes, and integrates business apps, fast.
    Read more
  • Logo of .NET
    .NET
    Versatile framework for building any app, for any device.
    Read more

Kotlin FAQ

  • What is Kotlin and what does Kotlin do?

    We find Kotlin a versatile language simplifying cross-platform app development. It excels at creating concise, safe, and reusable code, especially for Android, iOS, web, and desktop platforms. It shares code across platforms, boosting efficiency.

  • How does Kotlin integrate with other tools?

    We find that Kotlin offers robust integration capabilities, especially with Java. It also works well within the Android ecosystem and supports multiplatform development through Kotlin Multiplatform, allowing code sharing across various platforms like iOS, web, and desktop.

  • What the main competitors of Kotlin?

    We find that Kotlin competes with several other technologies. Its main competitors include Java, React Native, .NET, and other cross-platform frameworks like Flutter. These alternatives offer similar functionalities for building mobile and other applications.

  • Is Kotlin legit?

    Yes, Kotlin is a safe and legitimate programming language. We find its concise syntax and null safety features make it a robust choice for developers, especially for building Android and multiplatform applications. It's well-regarded in the industry and actively maintained.

  • How much does Kotlin cost?

    Kotlin, the programming language itself, is free to use. It's open-source and available under the Apache 2.0 license. We find that any costs associated with Kotlin are typically related to the development tools or specific services you might use alongside it.

  • Is Kotlin customer service good?

    There are no customer service reviews available for Kotlin. Therefore, we cannot determine if their customer service is good or not.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

NEW: Introducing Gralio Screen Buddy

An AI tool that observes your work, finds inefficiencies, and suggests smarter ways to do things. Maybe you can use your tools better, automate tasks, or switch software.

For Individuals
Streamline your daily tasks, get helpful AI tips, and find the right tools for your workflow.
For Businesses
See how your team really works, uncover automation opportunities, and get software recommendations tailored to your processes.