Top 9 Python Frameworks for App Development

Python is the most popular and high-level, general-purpose programming language that supports multiple programming models, including structured, object-oriented, and functional programming.  Always app developers prefer Python Frameworks for App Development.

The developers mostly use Pyjnius which is a Python library for accessing Java classes. It either starts a new JVM inside the process or retrieves the already surrounding JVM (for example on Android). The latest Statista research shows that over 48% of developers use Python mobile app development frameworks.

What is a Python Framework?

The Python frameworks are the collection of modules and packages that allow developers to build apps through a pre-built implementation of redundant functions. They release developers from minor issues like thread management, sockets, and protocols.

Python is very popular due to its vast range of Python libraries for mobile app development, packages, and frameworks.

Several frameworks for mobile app development and web app development enable seamless, efficient, and swift application development. We’ve listed the best Python app frameworks in this blog.

Python Framework vs Python Library

In Python development, frameworks and libraries are two different concepts.

Python frameworks are used to build applications, providing a scaffolding that dictates the flow and organization of code. Django and Flask are popular Python frameworks for web development, offering features like URL routing and database integration out of the box.

On the other hand, a Python library refers to the reusable functions and classes used to simplify tasks, offering specific functionalities like data manipulation or web scraping. For example, NumPy is a Python library for numerical computations and requests for HTTP requests.

What are the Benefits of Using Python Frameworks?

Below are the core features that set Python apart from other languages.

• Ease of Learning and Use: Python has a simple English-like syntax, making it suitable for
  beginner and experienced developers.
• Versatility and Flexibility: Python lets developers build native and cross-platform mobile app
  development through frameworks like Kivy and BeeWare.
• Large Ecosystem and Libraries: Python offers immense libraries and frameworks, supporting
  diverse applications suitable for unique business needs.
• Community Support and Resources: A large, active community provides extensive resources,
  support, and open-source tools.
• Integration Capabilities: Python integrates seamlessly with other languages and platforms,
  ideal for apps requiring interaction with web services and databases.
• Scalability and Performance: While not the fastest, Python’s performance is adequate for
  many mobile apps, with options for optimization.
• Cost-Effective Development: Python’s rapid development and free tools help reduce costs and
  speed up time-to-market.

Types of Python Frameworks?

There are three types of frameworks Microframework, Full-stack, and Asynchronous Framework.

1-Micro Frameworks

A Python micro-framework is easy to use with basic capabilities or features required for web development and does not have added functionalities like form validation and data abstraction layers. They are lightweight and useful for building small applications.

Some popular examples of Micro frameworks include CherryPy, Bottle, Falcon, and Dash.

2-Full-Stack Frameworks

A full-stack framework is an end-to-end solution for web and app development with functionalities like template layouts, form validation, form generators, and so on.

It is the most convenient and popular Python framework since it offers features of back-end functions, front-end interfaces, and databases. 

Some popular examples of Full-stack frameworks include Django, Pylons, CubicWeb, and Giotto

3-Asynchronous Frameworks

The asynchronous framework empowers developers to work on large amounts of concurrent connections, databases, web servers, connection libraries, high-performance networks, etc.

It has gained widespread popularity recently since the development of the Asyncio library.

Some examples of Asynchronous frameworks are Tornado, Growler, AIOHTTP, and Sanic.

10 Most Popular Python Frameworks for App Development in 2024

Explore here a list of the top 10 Python app Frameworks in 2024:

1-Django

Django is a high-level development Python framework for creating both mobile and web apps that operate on a power ORM and follow the Model View Controller (MVC) pattern, making the code reusable and readable.

It has built-in tools like URL routing/parsing, authentication system, form validation, template engine, and caching to ensure a swift development process.

Django follows the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) concept and focuses on rapid app development with a neat design. It is the first choice of developers for any Python project due to its versatility, customization, scalability, deployment speed, simplicity, and compatibility with the latest Python versions.

According to a Stack Overflow survey of 2020, Django and Flask are the most popular Python software development frameworks. Popular examples of apps built with Django include Instagram and Spotify.

Key Features of Django:

• Enables execution of automated migrations
• Robust security
• Enhanced web server support
• Comprehensive documentation
• Vast add-ins with SEO optimization

2-Flask

Flask is an open-source, lightweight, and the best Python microframework with a built-in development server, debugger, HTTP request processing, file storage, and support for establishing client-side sessions.

It has a modular and adaptable design and added compatibility with Google App Engine.

Besides Django, Flask is another popular Python framework with the Werkzeug WSGI toolkit and Jinja2 template.

Flask comes under the BSD license and it is inspired by the Sinatra Ruby framework. Popular examples of apps developed with Flask include Lyft and Netflix.

Key Features of Flask:

• Jinja2 templating and WSGI compliance
• Unicode-based with secure cookie support
• HTTP request handling capability
• RESTful request dispatch handling
• Built-in server development and integrated unit-testing support
• Plugs into any ORM framework

3-Web2Py

Web2Py is an open-source, full-stack, and scalable Python application framework compatible with most operating systems, both mobile-based and web-based.

It is a platform-independent framework that simplifies development through an IDE that has a code editor, debugger, and single-click deployment.

Web2Py deals with data efficiently and enables swift development with MVC design but lacks configuration files on the project level.

It has a critical feature, a ticketing system that auto-generates tickets in the event of issues and enables tracking of issues and status.

Key Features of Web2py:

• No configuration and installation needed
• Enables use of NoSQL and relational databases
• Follows MVC design with consistent API for streamlining web development
• Supports internationalization and role-based access control
• Enable backward compatibility
• Addresses security vulnerabilities and critical dangers

4-TurboGears

TurboGears is an open-source, full-stack, data-driven popular Python web app framework based on the ObjectDispatch paradigm.

It is meant to make it possible to write both small and concise applications in Minimal mode or complex applications in Full Stack mode.

TurboGears is useful for building both simple and complex apps with its features implemented as function decorators with multi-database support.

It offers high scalability and modularity with MochiKit JavaScript library integration and ToscaWidgets for seamless coordination of server deployment and front end.

Key aspects of TurboGears:

• MVC-style architecture
• Provides command-line tools 
• Extensive documentation
• Validation support with Form Encode
• It uses pylons as a web server
• Provides PasteScript templates

5-Falcon

Falcon is a reliable and secure back-end micro Python application framework used for developing highly-performing microservices, APIs, and large-scale application backends.

It is extensible and optimized with an effective code base that promotes building cleaner designs with HTTP and REST architecture.

Falcon provides effective and accurate responses for HTTP threats, vulnerabilities, and errors, unlike other Python back-end frameworks. Large firms like RackSpace, OpenStack, and LinkedIn use Falcon.

Falcon can handle most requests with similar hardware to its contemporaries and has total code coverage.

Key Features of Falcon:

• Intuitive routing with URL templates
• Unit testing with WSGI mocks and helpers
• Native HTTP error responses
• Optimized and extensible code base
• Upfront exception handling support
• DRY request processing
• Cython support for enhanced speed

6-CherryPy

CherryPy is an object-oriented, open-source, Python micro framework for rapid development with a robust configuration system. It doesn’t require an Apache server and enables the use of technologies for Cetera templating and accessing data.

CherryPy is one of the oldest Python app development frameworks mainly for web development. Applications designed with CherryPy are self-contained and operate on multi-threaded web servers. It has built-in tools for sessions, coding, and caching.

Popular examples of CherryPy apps include Hulu and Juju.

Key features of CherryPy:

• Runs on Android
• Flexible built-in plugin system
• Support for testing, profiling, and coverage
• WSGI compliant
• Runs on multiple HTTP servers simultaneously
• Powerful configuration system

7-Tornado

It is an open-source asynchronous networking Python framework that provides URL handling, HTML support, python database application framework support, and other crucial features of every application.

Tornado is as popular as Django and Flask because of its high-performing tools and features except that it is a threaded framework instead of being WSGI-based.

It simplifies web server coding, handles thousands of open connections with concurrent users, and strongly emphasizes non-blocking I/O activities for solving C10k difficulties. 

Key features of Tornado:

• Web templating techniques
• Extensive localization and translation support
• Real-time, in-the-moment services
• Allows third-party authorization, authorization methods, and user authentication
• Template engine built-in
• HTTP client that is not blocking

8-AIOHTTP

AIOHTTP is a popular asynchronous client-side Python web development framework based on the Asyncio library. It depends on Python 3.5+ features like Async and Awaits. 

AIOHTTP offers support for client and server WebSockets without the need for Callback Hell and includes request objects and routers for redirecting queries to functions.

Key highlights of AIOHTTP Python framework:

• Provides pluggable routing
• Supports HTTP servers
• Supports both client and WebSockets without the callback hell.
• Middleware support for web servers
• Effective view building

Also, there are two main cross-platform Python mobile app frameworks

9- Kivy

Kivy is a popular open-source Python framework for mobile app development that offers rapid application development of cross-platform GUI apps.

With a graphics engine designed over OpenGL, Kivy can manage GPU-bound workloads when needed.

Kivy comes with a project toolkit that allows developers to port apps to Android and has a similar one for iOS. However, porting Python apps to iOS currently is possible with Python 2.7.

Features of Kivy:

• Enables custom style in rendering widgets to give a native-like feel
• Enhanced consistency across different platforms with a swift and straightforward approach
• Well-documented, comprehensive APIs and offers multi-touch functionalities

10-BeeWare

BeeWare is another Python framework for Python iOS development & mobile app development that enables developers to code apps in Python and cross-compilation for deployment on several mobile platforms and OS like Android, Linux GTK, iOS, and Windows.

The primary repository of BeeWare gets updated often with added commercial support including technical support, consulting, and training.

Features of BeeWare:

• Enables code reusability
• Provides consistency across apps with the native look and feel
• Includes tools like Briefcase and Toga that are designed for precise functions
• Agile developer community

Also Read: Ruby Vs Python: Which One to Embrace in 2024

How to Choose the Right Python App Framework for Your Project?

The most essential factor before selecting the right framework for development is the project’s nature, size, and complexity.

For example, you can opt for a micro-framework for a smaller project while considering full-stack frameworks for larger projects. 

Also, here are some examples of frameworks based on the project’s nature.

Other factors that you can consider before selecting the framework for Android app development for your project are

• Scalability to handle traffic load when they run on several servers
• Core libraries like authentication, data validation, URL mapping/rewriting, and templating.
• Comprehensive documentation with tutorials, sample codes, blogs, and snippets.
• Easy installation of the preferred Python framework.

Popular Apps Built Using Python Frameworks

Below is the popular apps list using the Python framework:

1. Instagram: Instagram is one of the largest and most popular social media platforms, and Django is used to handle its huge user base and traffic. Its framework scalability and security features are crucial for Instagram’s backend.

2. Spotify: Spotify also uses the Django framework for data analysis and backend services. With the help of this framework recommendations, radio features, and various backend services using Python’s flexibility.

3. Dropbox: It is also a popular platform that uses Custom frameworks of Python for the backend. Its cloud storage service uses Python for server-side operations and desktop client software due to its simplicity and readability.

4. YouTube: Python-based services such as Flask are used for YouTube. This framework is used due to its flexibility for data processing, video delivery, and various APIs.

5. Quora: It is a question-and-answer platform with massive traffic. This platform also used Python and Django in its early development stages, particularly for its backend services.

Also Read: Top 14 Backend Frameworks in 2024 for Development

Why use Python Frameworks for Mobile App Development?

Python is best suited for creating dynamic applications integrated with CRUD operations and avoiding repetitive coding for activities like authentication and sessions. It also provides an execution system when you’re building a separate UI with associated logic. 

Python is also the best option when you have strict deadlines and time and resource constraints. From full-stack and DevOps to AI/ML, data engineering, and data science, Python offers all-around Python App Development options. 

Here are some reasons why Python is the king of programming languages:

• Python’s vibrant range of frameworks, libraries, and tools enables swift development and gives access to code templates.
• Python is a high-level programming language and quite close to English, hence it has a lower learning curve compared to other coding languages.
• Python has a large developer community and rich documentation with new frameworks and libraries being added quite often.

Why Should You Choose the OnGraph for Python App Development?

Python has several frameworks and selecting the perfect fit can prove tough with several factors to note from budget and complexity to scalability, additional features, learning curve, and so on. 

Fortunately, you can get the right pick for your project with OnGraph, a leading Python Development Company that offers tailored Python development solutions with proven expertise in various Python application frameworks like Django, Flask, TurboGears, Kivy, and Tornado.

FAQs

Q. How do I choose the right Python app framework for my project?

Choosing the right framework depends on your project’s specific requirements. Consider factors like project complexity, scalability needs, and your team’s expertise.

Django is excellent for robust, feature-rich applications, while Flask is lightweight and suitable for smaller projects. FastAPI is a good choice for building APIs with high performance, and Pyramid offers flexibility for diverse project structures.

Q. What are some popular Python libraries for application development?

Python boasts a rich ecosystem of libraries. Some popular ones include NumPy and Pandas for data science, requests for HTTP requests, Flask for web development, Django for full-stack web applications, Matplotlib for data visualization, and TensorFlow for machine learning.

Q. Can Python replace Java?

While Python and Java serve different purposes, Python’s simplicity and versatility have led to increased adoption.

Python is often preferred for quick development and readability, but Java remains a strong choice for large-scale enterprise applications and performance-critical systems.

The choice between them depends on the specific requirements of your project.

Q. Can Python be used for enterprise application development?

Yes, Python is suitable for enterprise application development. Its simplicity, extensive libraries, and frameworks like Django make it a viable choice.

Python’s readability and ease of maintenance contribute to its growing popularity for developing scalable and robust enterprise applications.

Q. Is Flask framework better than Django?

The choice between Flask and Django depends on your project needs. Flask is lightweight and modular, suitable for small to medium-sized projects.

Django, on the other hand, is a full-stack framework with built-in features, making it ideal for larger, more complex applications. The decision should be based on project requirements, development speed, and scalability.

Q. Which Python app framework is mostly used for app development?

Both Flask and Django are widely used for mobile app development. Django is often chosen for its built-in features and conventions, making it suitable for the rapid development of full-stack applications.

The Flask framework is lightweight and modular and is preferred for smaller projects or when developers want more flexibility in choosing components. The choice depends on the scale and requirements of your app.

Q. What are some GUI frameworks for building mobile apps with Python?

GUI framework is an open-source Python package that allows you to quickly build a demo or web application for your machine learning model, API, or any arbitrary Python function. Below are the top 10 GUI frameworks.

• Gradio
• Streamlit
• Kivy
• Tkinter
• PyQt
• PySide
• wxPython
• PyGTK
• wxPython
• PySimpleGUI

Q. Should I Hire a Python Developer?

Yes, If you want to develop a project that involves web development, data analysis, AI, machine learning, or automation then you should hire a Python developer. Python has versatility, strong community support, and vast libraries that make it an excellent choice for scalable and efficient solutions by developers. A highly skilled Python development team can help you build robust applications, streamline workflows, and tackle complicated data-driven goals.

Q. How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Python Developer?

The cost to hire a Python developer can vary and it depends on several factors such as work experience, location, and the complexity of your project. See the below charges of a Python developer.

1. Work Experience Based Cost:

• Junior-level Python developers (1-3 years of experience) typically charge $25 to $50 per hour.
• Mid-level developers (3-6 years) range from $60 to $100 per hour.
• Senior-level Python developers (6+ years) can charge $100 to $250 per hour or more, especially for specialized roles in fields like machine learning or data science.

2. Location Based Cost:

• If you hire Developers from the US, UK, and Australia locations then they  have higher rates, averaging between $80 to $150 per hour.
• The developers are in Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia regions, rates can be lower, ranging from $25 to $50 per hour for highly qualified developers.

3. Project Range:

• The cost may be less for short-term or small projects but long-term or complex projects requiring deep expertise in Python Frameworks for App Development like Django, Flask, or data science libraries will increase costs.