Best Application Development Software for Windows 11

.NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) is a framework for building modern, multi-platform, natively compiled iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps using C# and XAML in a single codebase. .NET MAUI uses the latest, modern technologies for building native apps on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows abstracting them into one common framework built on .NET 6. Native apps look and feel like the operating system on which they belong by default and layouts are fully adapted to each device automatically with no additional code. Platform APIs are available directly from C# to access over 60 platform features from a single cross-platform API including access to things like isolated storage, sensors, geolocation, camera, and a whole lot more with no compromises.

RPG Maker is a series of game development engines that enable users to create their own role-playing games without prior programming experience. Each version of RPG Maker offers unique features and improvements to cater to different development needs. The latest installment, RPG Maker MZ, includes enhancements to the map editor, character generator, database, animations, and plug-ins, allowing for more customization than ever before. RPG Maker MV expands platform support to include MacOSX, Android, and iOS, with improvements to the map editor, higher resolution, and easy-to-use plug-ins. RPG Maker VX Ace is known for its intuitive interface and extensive library of assets and scripts, making it a great starter engine for beginners while still powerful enough for developers. The RPG Maker series provides a comprehensive set of tools, including a versatile map editor for designing environments, a character generator for creating original characters, and more.

MonoGame is a free and open-source framework that allows developers to create cross-platform games using C# and other .NET languages. It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. MonoGame provides a comprehensive set of features, such as 2D and 3D rendering, sound playback, input handling, and content management, enabling the development of high-quality games across various genres. The framework is a re-implementation of Microsoft's XNA 4 API, ensuring familiarity for developers with XNA experience. Notable games developed with MonoGame include "Streets of Rage 4," "Carrion," "Celeste," and "Stardew Valley." MonoGame is actively maintained by the MonoGame Foundation and its community, with ongoing updates and support.

Gideros is a free and open-source cross-platform game development framework that enables developers to create high-performance 2D games using the Lua programming language. It offers instant testing on real devices through Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for lengthy export or deployment processes. Built on C/C++ and OpenGL, Gideros ensures that games run at native speed, fully utilizing the power of CPUs and GPUs. The framework supports easy extension through plugins, allowing developers to import existing code in C, C++, Java, or Objective-C and bind it to Lua. Gideros provides its own class system with standard object-oriented programming practices, enabling clean and reusable code. The comprehensive development environment includes a lightweight IDE, players for desktops and devices, a texture packer, and a font creator. Gideros supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and HTML5.

Solar2D is a Lua-based game engine focused on ease of iterations and usage. As a fully open-source project forked from the well-established and widely used Corona SDK game engine, Solar2D allows developers to create applications for mobile, desktop, and connected TV devices with a single codebase, supporting platforms such as iOS, tvOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, and HTML5. The engine features an instant-update simulator, enabling developers to see code changes in real time, and supports live builds for rapid testing on real devices over a local network. A vast array of plugins is available to extend the core functionality, covering aspects like in-app advertising, analytics, and media. For additional customization, developers can call any native (C/C++/Obj-C/Java) library or API using Solar2D Native. Built on the lightweight and fast Lua scripting language, Solar2D is completely free to use, with no hidden fees, charges, or royalties.

raylib is a simple and easy-to-use library to enjoy video game programming. It is a programming library to enjoy video game programming; no fancy interface, no visual helpers, no GUI tools or editors, just coding in a pure spartan-programmers way. raylib does not provide the typical API documentation or a big set of tutorials. The library is designed to be minimalistic and be learned just from a cheat sheet with all required functionality and a big collection of examples to see how to use that functionality. The best way to learn to code is by reading code. raylib supports multiple target platforms, it has been tested in the following ones but, technically, any platform that supports C language and OpenGL graphics (or similar) can run raylib or it can be very easily ported to. You can use raylib with multiple programming languages, there are over 60 bindings. raylib can be combined with several extra libraries for additional functionality.

Scratch is a free visual programming language and online community where anyone can create their own stories, games, and animations. Developed by the MIT Media Lab, Scratch is designed primarily for users aged 8–16, but it is used by all ages and has a sizeable adult user base. The platform utilizes a block-based interface, allowing users to drag and connect code blocks to create programs, making it accessible for beginners. Scratch is used in many different settings, schools, museums, libraries, community centers, and homes. The platform supports over 70 languages, enabling a global community of users to share and remix projects. As of February 2023, the Scratch community has more than 103 million users and over 123 million shared projects. The website offers resources for parents and educators, including guides and tutorials to support learning and teaching. Scratch is taught and used in after-school centers, schools, and colleges, as well as other public knowledge institutions.

Cocos2d-x is an open source, flexible, and lightweight cross-platform game engine that has been providing developers with stable and mature solutions since 2011. The engine offers interfaces in C++, Lua, and JavaScript, supporting platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and HTML5 browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer. Built upon OpenGL ES 2.0 and Metal for graphics rendering, Cocos2d-x fully exploits the GPU performance of mobile devices while maintaining compatibility. Developers can utilize Lua or JavaScript scripting languages to perform hot updates to games, eliminating the need to send packages to app stores and wait for review. The engine's open-source capabilities allow for extensive customization, enabling game companies to develop their own game types and extensions, including combining their own 3D engines to solve 2D interface and UI problems. According to test data, Cocos2d-x version 3.x is compatible with 99.7% of Android devices in China.

Brinkbit is a Baltimore-based design and software development studio that specializes in building applications, games, and enterprise solutions for a diverse global clientele. Their process covers the full spectrum of development, from initial strategy and planning to design, coding, and post-launch support. Brinkbit helps refine ideas into structured plans through technical planning, world-building, and monetization strategies. Their design expertise ensures that every product—whether a web or mobile app, game, or brand identity—has an intuitive user experience. On the development side, they leverage cutting-edge technologies such as Unity3D, React/NodeJS, and Web3/Crypto solutions to create robust, scalable applications. Beyond launch, Brinkbit remains involved through content updates, DevOps management, cloud optimizations, and custom-built tools to keep projects running smoothly.