Have you ever imagined creating your own app, the kind you download from the Play Store or App Store? For many students, app development feels like something only professionals can do. But the truth is, with the right tools and free resources available online, even school or college students can start building apps without spending a single rupee.

In today’s digital world, app development is not just a skill — it’s an opportunity to shape the future. Whether you want to build a productivity app, a fun game, or even your first startup idea, learning app development at a young age opens countless doors. The best part? You don’t need to spend on expensive courses to learn app development. There are free app development resources for students that make learning easy, fun, and accessible.

Here’s a list of the best free websites and platforms for students to learn app development — tested, trusted, and loved by learners across the world.

1. MIT App Inventor (Best Beginner-Friendly Platform)

If you’re just starting out, MIT App Inventor for students is the easiest way to learn. You can build fully functional Android apps with ease through a simple drag-and-drop interface—no coding experience needed.

Pros:

• Visual programming (block-based, perfect for beginners)
• Create real apps and test instantly
• Huge supportive community

Cons:

• Limited design flexibility compared to advanced coding
• Mainly focused on Android apps

Best For: Students in school or early college who want a hands-on introduction to app development.

2. Codecademy Free App Development Courses

Codecademy app development courses provide step-by-step learning in JavaScript, Python, Swift, and React Native — languages widely used in app development.

Pros:

• Structured interactive lessons
• Covers both Android & iOS app development basics
• Free beginner courses available

Cons:

• Advanced courses require paid plans
• Limited real-world projects in the free version

Best For: Students who want coding + app building skills together.

3. Khan Academy Computer Programming

Though not exclusively about apps, Khan Academy free coding courses build a strong foundation in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, which are vital for mobile app development.

Pros:

• 100% free forever
• Covers coding fundamentals for apps and games
• Easy video tutorials for students

Cons:

• Not app-specific, more of a general coding base
• Lacks mobile app deployment lessons

Best For: Students who want to strengthen coding logic before diving into app development.

4. Coursera Free App Development Courses

Platforms like Coursera free app development courses for students let you access lessons from top universities such as Google, Stanford, and Michigan.

Pros:

• Learn from global experts
• Certifications available (paid, but auditing is free)
• Covers Android, iOS, and Flutter app development

Cons:

• Limited access to assignments in free mode
• Can feel overwhelming for absolute beginners

Best For: Students who want university-style structured learning without paying.

5. Udemy Free App Development Courses

Udemy free app development tutorials include beginner-friendly courses on Java, Kotlin, Swift, and Flutter. Many instructors upload free courses for students regularlty.

Pros:

• Large variety of free courses
• Learn app development tools like Android Studio & Xcode
• Self-paced, flexible learning

Cons:

• Quality varies depending on instructor
• Some free courses are basic, not advanced

Best For: Students who want quick, project-based learning.

6. FreeCodeCamp Mobile App Development Tutorials

FreeCodeCamp app development tutorials are among the most practical resources, covering React Native, JavaScript, and backend skills for apps.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Hands-on coding projects
• Builds strong problem-solving skills

Cons:

• No drag-and-drop beginner interface
• Better suited for high school & college students

Best For: Students who want to master coding + app creation together.

7. Google Android Developers (Official)

The Android Developers official site provides free app development resources, tutorials, and documentation directly from Google.

Pros:

• Updated with the latest tools (Kotlin, Jetpack Compose)
• Covers professional-level development
• Free certification pathways available

Cons:

• Technical and not beginner-friendly
• Requires coding knowledge

Best For: Students who want to build professional Android apps.

8. Swift Playgrounds by Apple

For iOS lovers, Swift Playgrounds for students is a fun way to learn Swift — Apple’s coding language.

Pros:

• Gamified coding experience
• Directly teaches Swift (used in iOS app development)
• Free iPad app

Cons:

• Only works on iPad
• Limited to beginner-level coding

Best For: Students who want to start building iOS apps early.

9. GeeksforGeeks App Development Tutorials

GeeksforGeeks app development tutorials offer free content on Android, Flutter, and full-stack mobile development.

Pros:

• Massive library of free articles & guides
• Covers interview-level questions (great for future jobs)
• Updated regularly

Cons:

• Text-heavy, less interactive
• Beginners may find it overwhelming

Best For: Students who want deep technical learning.

10. YouTube Free App Development Channels

YouTube has countless free app development tutorials for students, covering React Native, Kotlin, Java, and Flutter.

Pros:

• 100% free and visual
• Wide range of tutorials (beginner to advanced)
• Easy to follow step-by-step projects

Cons:

• No structured curriculum
• Hard to judge quality of content

Best For: Students who prefer video-based learning.

Final Thoughts

App development may sound intimidating at first, but with these free resources for students, you can start your journey today. Remember, the key is not just learning but building real apps. Start with simple tools like MIT App Inventor or Swift Playgrounds, and as you grow confident, move to advanced platforms like FreeCodeCamp or Android Developers.

Who knows? The next app idea you bring to life could be the one that changes the world.