If you're venturing into mobile app development, one of the critical tools you'll need to familiarise yourself with is a mobile software development kit (SDK). SDKs are indispensable resources, helping developers build efficient and feature-rich apps. And while they are most commonly associated with mobile app development, SDKs are also widely used in web dev.

Below, the Monedata team will explore the fundamentals of mobile SDKs, their importance, and how to select the right SDKs for your development projects. 

What’s an SDK?

An SDK, or software development kit, is a collection of tools, libraries, code samples, documentation, and other resources that help developers create applications for specific platforms or devices. Whether you’re developing for Android, iOS, or even creating Bluetooth-connected products, SDKs provide the building blocks to streamline development.

Think of an SDK like a first-aid kit for developers. Just as a first-aid kit provides bandages, gauze, and pain relievers, an SDK offers APIs, libraries, tutorials, and debugging tools to help developers efficiently create software. These pre-built resources save significant time and reduce the complexity of developing key features from scratch.

Why should you use an SDK?

Mobile SDKs offer several critical advantages in app development. SDKs accelerate the development process by providing pre-built code and tools, so developers don’t need to reinvent the wheel when adding standard features like payment gateways or notifications.

SDKs allow developers to deploy apps more quickly because they don’t have to write extensive custom code for features that already exist in SDK libraries. Many SDKs also allow for high-tech features, such as augmented reality or secure payment processing, without requiring developers to have expertise in these areas.

Finally, it’s good to know that many SDKs are free, allowing developers to access high-quality tools without the cost of developing the features from scratch.

The types of SDK 

Mobile SDKs come in various types, each tailored to different functionalities. 

Below are some common types that developers use to enhance their apps:

• Ads and monetisation: These SDKs help integrate advertising options, like banner ads or rewarded videos, allowing developers to monetise their apps. Monedata is a great example of this—our SDK allows you to add additional revenue for your Android apps without affecting usability. 
• Analytics: Understanding how users interact with your app is crucial for improving performance. Analytics SDKs track user engagement, behaviour, and app metrics to help optimise the app’s performance.
• Payments: Payments SDKs integrate secure payment gateways into apps, enabling users to complete transactions smoothly and safely.
• Notifications: These SDKs make it easier for developers to send push notifications, helping to engage users with updates, reminders, and promotions.

How to find suitable SDKs

Choosing a suitable SDK can be daunting, especially when your project may require multiple SDKs to fulfil different roles. Start by asking yourself whether the SDK is user-friendly. Does it come with adequate documentation and tutorials? Will the SDK work well with other SDKs you are using? Make sure it integrates smoothly with different tools. Does the SDK affect the app’s performance or stability? Poorly optimised SDKs can cause apps to crash or perform sluggishly. Finally, ensure the SDK is actively maintained and updated to meet evolving platform standards and security requirements.

SDKs are important in mobile app development primarily because they save time and resources. Rather than spending weeks or months developing a particular feature from scratch, developers can simply incorporate an SDK that already provides the necessary functionality. This is especially true for commonly required features like user authentication, in-app purchases, and social media integration.

For instance, if you want your app users to share photos directly to social media, you don’t need to write all the code from scratch. You can integrate Instagram’s Android SDK or Facebook’s iOS SDK to handle the job. The result is a faster development cycle and a more reliable app since SDKs are often highly optimised and well-tested.

SafeDK reports the average number of SDKs on Android is 18, but there are lots of factors to consider. Games, for example, may rely on even more SDKs due to the additional features required, such as analytics, ads, and player rewards.

SDKs aren’t just about speeding up development; they also improve your app’s performance and expand its reach. By incorporating SDKs optimised for specific devices and platforms, developers can ensure that their apps run smoothly, regardless of the device a user is using.

Wrapping up 

Mobile SDKs are indispensable tools for modern app development. They play a critical role in the success of mobile apps, from saving time and reducing costs to enabling powerful new features. By leveraging the right SDKs, developers can focus on creating exceptional user experiences without writing every line of code from scratch. Check back to Monedata for more soon!