Tools

As a WordPress and mobile app developer, I rely on a diverse set of tools daily to turn ideas into reality. From coding and debugging to designing and optimizing, each stage of development demands specialized software, websites, and services. Whether I’m prototyping a WordPress theme, troubleshooting API requests in a mobile app, or collaborating with a team, having the right tools saves time and ensures efficiency.

Over the years, I’ve built a toolkit of indispensable resources like Local by Flywheel for local WordPress development, Visual Studio Code for clean and efficient coding, and Firebase for robust mobile app backends. When I need to design stunning interfaces, tools like Figma and Sketch come to the rescue. Even mundane tasks like organizing projects and managing workflows are simplified with Trello and Asana.

This article highlights over 110 of these essential tools that I use regularly. Whether you’re just starting your journey or are an experienced developer looking to enhance your workflow, these recommendations cover every aspect of development. Let’s dive in!

For WordPress Developers

1. Development Environments

  1. Local by Flywheel – Create local WordPress environments easily.
  2. MAMP – Local server for macOS and Windows to test WordPress sites.
  3. XAMPP – A cross-platform local server for testing WordPress.
  4. WAMP – A Windows-based local server for WordPress development.
  5. DevKinsta – A free local WordPress development suite.

2. Code Editors

  1. Visual Studio Code – Lightweight editor with extensions for PHP and WordPress.
  2. PHPStorm – Advanced IDE with WordPress-specific features.
  3. Sublime Text – Powerful text editor for coding.
  4. Atom – Open-source editor with GitHub integration.
  5. Brackets – Focused on front-end development with live previews.

3. Debugging and Testing

  1. Query Monitor – Debug WordPress performance issues.
  2. Debug Bar – Adds a debugging menu in the WordPress admin bar.
  3. Theme Check – Ensures themes follow WordPress coding standards.
  4. WP Debugging – Enables WordPress debugging mode.
  5. Postman – For testing REST API endpoints.

4. Design and Prototyping

  1. Canva – Create graphics for WordPress sites.
  2. Figma – Design and prototype WordPress layouts collaboratively.
  3. Sketch – UI/UX design tool for WordPress themes.
  4. Adobe XD – Wireframing and UI/UX prototyping.
  5. Coolors – Generate color schemes for WordPress projects.

5. Plugins and Builders

  1. Elementor – Drag-and-drop page builder.
  2. WooCommerce – Essential for WordPress eCommerce.
  3. Advanced Custom Fields – Customize WordPress content editing.
  4. Yoast SEO – Optimize WordPress sites for search engines.
  5. Gravity Forms – Build complex forms for WordPress.

6. Hosting Management

  1. cPanel – Server management for WordPress hosting.
  2. Plesk – Hosting control panel with WordPress toolkit.
  3. Cloudways – Managed cloud hosting platform.
  4. WP Engine – Premium managed WordPress hosting.
  5. SiteGround Tools – Hosting optimized for WordPress.

7. Backup and Security

  1. UpdraftPlus – Backup and restore WordPress sites.
  2. Sucuri – Web security suite for WordPress.
  3. Wordfence – Firewall and malware scanner.
  4. VaultPress – Backup and security solution.
  5. iThemes Security – Protect WordPress from cyber threats.

For Mobile App Developers

1. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

  1. Android Studio – Official IDE for Android app development.
  2. Xcode – IDE for iOS and macOS apps.
  3. Visual Studio – IDE for cross-platform app development with .NET.
  4. Flutter – For building natively compiled cross-platform apps.
  5. Unity – Game development for mobile apps.

2. Code and Libraries

  1. Git – Version control system for source code.
  2. GitHub – Code hosting and collaboration.
  3. Bitbucket – Git-based source code repository.
  4. Stack Overflow – Troubleshoot development issues.
  5. Firebase – Real-time database and backend service.

3. Debugging and Testing

  1. Postman – Test APIs used in mobile apps.
  2. Charles Proxy – Monitor network activity in mobile apps.
  3. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – Debugging Android devices.
  4. TestFlight – Beta testing iOS apps.
  5. Crashlytics – Monitor and fix app crashes in real-time.

4. UI/UX Design

  1. Figma – Collaborate on UI/UX designs.
  2. Adobe XD – Create wireframes and app prototypes.
  3. Zeplin – Turn designs into developer-friendly specs.
  4. Material Design – Guidelines and tools for Android apps.
  5. Sketch – A favorite for mobile app UI design.

5. App Performance Tools

  1. New Relic – Monitor app performance in real-time.
  2. AppDynamics – Diagnose performance issues.
  3. Firebase Performance Monitoring – Built-in monitoring for mobile apps.
  4. GTmetrix – Test mobile website performance.
  5. JIRA – Manage mobile app development workflows.

6. Monetization Tools

  1. AdMob – Integrate ads into mobile apps.
  2. RevenueCat – Manage in-app purchases.
  3. Stripe SDK – Simplify payment integrations.
  4. Google Play Console – Publish and manage Android apps.
  5. App Store Connect – Manage iOS app submissions.

Shared Tools for Both WordPress and Mobile App Developers

1. Project Management

  1. Trello – Organize projects and tasks visually.
  2. Asana – Manage team workflows effectively.
  3. JIRA – Track issues and manage agile development.
  4. ClickUp – All-in-one project management tool.
  5. Notion – Organize project documentation.

2. Cloud and Storage

  1. Google Drive – Store and share files securely.
  2. Dropbox – Cloud storage for collaboration.
  3. AWS – Scalable cloud computing and storage.
  4. Azure – Cloud computing platform by Microsoft.
  5. DigitalOcean – Affordable cloud hosting for apps and sites.

3. Collaboration Tools

  1. Slack – Team communication and file sharing.
  2. Zoom – Virtual meetings and screen sharing.
  3. Google Meet – Free video conferencing tool.
  4. Microsoft Teams – Collaboration and task management.
  5. Discord – Community collaboration and discussion.

4. Design and Assets

  1. Unsplash – Free stock photos for projects.
  2. IconFinder – Thousands of free and paid icons.
  3. Flaticon – Customizable icons for apps and websites.
  4. Mockup World – Free mockup resources for presentations.
  5. Dribbble – Inspiration and design resources.

5. SEO and Analytics

  1. Google Analytics – Monitor user behavior on websites and apps.
  2. Ahrefs – Analyze SEO performance and keywords.
  3. SEMrush – Keyword research and competitor analysis.
  4. Google Search Console – Track search visibility for WordPress sites.
  5. Hotjar – User heatmaps and session recordings.

Productivity Tools

  1. Zapier – Automate workflows between apps.
  2. IFTTT – Create automation for repetitive tasks.
  3. LastPass – Securely store passwords.
  4. Todoist – Task management tool for individuals.
  5. Clockify – Time tracking for developers.

Other Useful Tools

  1. Cloudflare – CDN and website security.
  2. Pingdom – Website uptime and performance monitoring.
  3. GTmetrix – Website speed analysis.
  4. Ahrefs Toolbar – Analyze on-page SEO instantly.
  5. Screaming Frog – Website SEO crawler for WordPress.

Specialized Tools for Enhanced Development

  1. Appium – Test automation for mobile apps.
  2. BrowserStack – Cross-browser testing.
  3. LambdaTest – Cloud-based browser and app testing.
  4. CodePen – Front-end development playground.
  5. StackBlitz – Online IDE for web development.
  6. Glitch – Collaborate on web apps in real-time.
  7. WordPress Codex – Official WordPress documentation.
  8. Google Fonts – Add beautiful fonts to websites or apps.
  9. Font Awesome – Icon library for apps and websites.
  10. Bootstrap – Front-end framework for responsive design.

This list only scratches the surface, but these 110+ tools should cover all essential needs for WordPress and mobile app development. By integrating these into your workflow, you’ll save time, boost efficiency, and create projects that truly stand out.

Affiliate Disclosure: I personally rank vendors based on thorough testing and detailed research, while also taking your feedback and my commercial partnerships with providers into account. Some links on this site are affiliate links.

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