Over the last 10 years, mobile apps have become the backbone of businesses, entertainment, finance, and social interaction. Of all the platforms, Android dominates the global market, with more than 70% of users using Android on their smartphones. But what powers these apps inside is as important as the outside interface we see. That is where Kotlin steps in, which has come up as the first choice of programming language for modern Android apps. So, why has it earned this spot, and how is it going to shape the future of Android app development? We will find out everything.
A quick look at the rise of Kotlin
Kotlin is a product from JetBrains which was launched in 2011, and in 2017, Google announced it as a supported language for Android development. The key reason was the language’s concise syntax, great safety features, and full Java interoperability. It was also very ideal in satisfying the requirements of modern app projects.
Whether you plan to build an MVP or a large-scale enterprise solution, Kotlin has everything that you might need. For any business that is seeking faster innovation, it is a smart move to hire Kotlin app developers, which will integrate the modern capabilities of the language for building secure and scalable apps.
Why is Kotlin fit for modern Android apps?
This list can be long but there are a few favourite features among developers and businesses, being the reason for most usage of Kotlin in modern projects.
Conciseness
Kotlin dedicatedly removes boilerplate (or repeated code), which means developers have to write less code for achieving much more than that. It directly results in faster development and easier maintenance, most importantly for the projects where speed is key.
Null Safety
One big pain point in Android application programming is the famous “null pointer exceptions.” Kotlin solves this with null safety, and that too is built right into the language. Due to this, developers can write safer code with fewer crashes and runtime errors.
Interoperability with Java
A lot of legacy systems are running on Java, and Kotlin is 100% interoperable with Java. This means that businesses do not have to rewrite the codebase they have written for their legacy codebase. They can easily integrate Kotlin at their own pace and achieve a smooth transition with the lowest risks.
Coroutines for Asynchronous Programming
All the modern apps demand performance because apps that are not performing well easily drop off the competition race. Kotlin has coroutines, which make it easier to manage the background threads responsible for boosting the app’s performance and user experience. This is a complete game changer for apps dealing with real-time updates or network operations.
Google’s official backing makes a huge difference
As we have discussed earlier, Google announced Kotlin as an officially supported language in 2017, and this was a game-changer for Android app development. The language was not only officially added in the Android Studio but was also added in the documentation, samples, and updates. As a result, Kotlin enjoys the first-party tools and library support, making it future-proof for business. This support from Google even motivates traditional developers to switch from Java, which again had a major impact on the rise of Kotlin. Whenever a business searches for an Android app development company in India, the USA, or any region, they want to partner with a company that is an expert in Kotlin development.
Real World Adoption of Kotlin by Global Companies
In case you are wondering about the real companies that rely on Kotlin for their Android apps, then let us list you such apps with a brief about them. We are sure that you have heard most of their names.
- Pinterest: The creativity giant used Kotlin to make their code quality better and more productive.
- Trello: The visual project management and collaboration tool made a migration to Kotlin for better maintainability.
- Netflix: The streaming giant uses Kotlin for new features and services within their Android app.
Such adoption is enough to prove that Kotlin is not just a preference for developers; rather, it is changing the businesses for good and helping teams to shop fast with fewer bugs and lower cost over time.
How does Kotlin impact development time and cost?
Faster development is one strong benefit of Kotlin, and it is still going on very strong in 2025. It is because of the features like smart casts, type interference, and extension functions that developers have to write fewer lines of code as compared to Java. And a boost in coding directly impacts:
- Lower development time
- Lower maintenance efforts
- Lower bugs and crashes
Not only for businesses but also for companies that offer Android app development services, Kotlin improves the delivery speed and product quality.
One codebase running on many platforms with Kotlin
Another lesser-known but very powerful feature is the Kotlin multiplatform. It allows code sharing across Android, iOS, and even backend platforms. To further make it simple, it means that developers can reuse the business logic and data handling across platforms for saving time and cost. Although it is not a full cross-platform tool like Flutter, Kotlin Multiplatform strikes the right balance by maintaining the native performance and UI. Every business that aims for cross-platform presence can achieve this by hiring Android app developers who are experienced in Kotlin multiplatform for consistent performance across the mobile platforms.
What to look for when hiring a Kotlin app development partner?
A lot of businesses face problems in finding the right development partner, which is more important than actually having a Kotlin-driven Android ecosystem. Some factors that you should consider while choosing the right app developer partner: pick the ones who have
- Experience with Kotlin and Jetpack libraries
- Knowledge of Android architecture components
- Ability to integrate Kotlin Multiplatform (if required)
- Services related to launch support and optimization
- Agile development practices
The above factors are not just everything, so when you hire Android app developers, go through more points (that are in your mind) carefully.
Partner with NetSet Software, a leading Kotlin app development company
If you are clear about the benefits that Kotlin is packing for businesses, you might be ready to shortlist a reliable Android app development partner who is expert at Kotlin. We have been using Kotlin for nearly a decade now and have transformed a range of businesses with the power of Kotlin. From consultation and architecture planning to UI/UX design and deployment, we can take care of your full software development lifecycle. Why not book a call and share your requirements with our Kotlin expert? Contact us.
Ending Words
Daily, there are a bunch of apps launched on the play store and picking the right technology becomes important and Kotlin is leading the charge here. With benefits such as fast development, safe coding, native performance, and growing global adoption, it is clear why Kotlin is becoming the go to language for modern Android apps. But a right Android app development company in India, like NetSet Software, can help you achieve the full potential that Kotlin has to offer in the mobile race.
FAQs
Does Kotlin suit large-scale Android projects?
Many enterprises are using Kotlin for high-performance apps that are very complex in nature. There are no restrictions on the size of the business because Kotlin has tools and stability that a complex app demands.
Can I move to Kotlin if my previous choice of language was Java?
It is feasible to shift to Kotlin if your previous choice of language was Java because Kotlin supports full interoperability with Java. Your developers will have to write a relatively less code and performance less technical arrangement to finally shift you from Java.
What makes Kotlin actually better than Android development?
Just like every other technology, the programming languages too keep on bringing updates to simplify things and deliver more efficiency. Kotlin has a simple syntax and supports modern development much smoother as compared to Java.
Does Coroutines in Kotlin really make a big difference as compared to other languages?
Kotline developers make use of Coroutines to keep their apps run smoothly as it handles the tasks behind the scenes so that the main thread of the app does not freeze. It is something a lot of programming languages try to achieve but Kotlin has done a great job here.
What will be the cost of developing the Kotlin app, and how long will it take?
If you are wondering about the cost and timeframe related to Kotlin app development, then it will be best to book a call with us and share your requirements so that we can share a rough quote with you.
