NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Play vs Codename One Comparison

Last updated:

Play

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

The Play application development software allows developers to quickly build high-performance, scalable Web applications using Java and Scala. Features include a rich set of tools that help to write great application cod…

Codename One

4.6(5 reviews)

Starting at $19

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Codename One is an open source Application Development Platform that lets user quickly and easily write native mobile and desktop applications in Java that look and feel like native applications on every platform. Codena…

Codename One leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 5 reviews.

Play vs Codename One — at a glance

FeaturePlayCodename One
Rating—4.6 / 5
Reviews—5
Starting priceContact for pricing$19
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forMedium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryApplication Development SoftwareApplication Development Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
API—Available
Support modesOnlineOnline
Certifications——
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Play and Codename One

  • Pricing: Codename One starts at $19. Play pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Codename One offers a free trial; Play does not.
  • Target audience: Play is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while Codename One targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • Deployment: Play supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Codename One supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Play vs Codename One — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Application Development Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Play - Application Development Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Codename One - Application Development Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this Play vs Codename One comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Application Development Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Play vs Codename One: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Play

Best for

Medium Business, Small Business

Codename One

Best for Java developers building native cross-platform mobile and desktop apps.

Choose if
  • You need to develop native mobile and desktop apps using Java.
  • Your project requires advanced features like 2D/3D graphics and hardware integration.
  • You prefer an open source platform with flexible freemium and subscription options.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team lacks Java expertise or prefers no-code/low-code solutions.
  • You require transparent pricing or extensive enterprise-level support and integrations.

Play typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. Codename One tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

The Play application development software allows developers to quickly build high-performance, scalable Web applications using Java and Scala. Features include a rich set of tools that help ... Read More about Play

Codename One is an open source Application Development Platform that lets user quickly and easily write native mobile and desktop applications in Java that look and feel like native ... Read More about Codename One

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $19

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

Not Available

8.3/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.6

(5)

Best Company Size

—
Small BusinessMedium Business
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get decision help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get decision help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Play and Codename One Compare on Features?

Total Features

7 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Play and Codename One on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $19

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Codename One pricing

      Play vs Codename One: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Mac
      • Installed - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Play vs Codename One Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      —

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Play User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      No reviews available for this product

      4

      1

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      What buyers like

      • High-performance applications
      • Scalable architecture
      • Rich toolset

      Common complaints

      • Requires programming knowledge
      • Complex setup
      • Steeper learning curve

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlighting the platform's native app capabilities and feature richness, tempered by limited user feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Native app performance
      • Feature completeness
      • Open source flexibility

      Common complaints

      • Limited user reviews
      • Complexity for beginners

      Pros and Cons

      • High-performance runtimes ensure fast application execution.

      • Scalable architecture supports growing applications.

      • Rich toolset enhances coding consistency across IDEs.

      • Requires programming knowledge may limit user base.

      • Complex setup could deter beginners.

      • Ability to write native mobile and desktop apps in Java

      • Supports advanced features like 2D/3D graphics and hardware integration

      • Open source with freemium and subscription options

      • Limited user rating data (only 5 ratings)

      • Potentially steep learning curve for non-Java developers

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Play or Codename One? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Hello World Simulator

      5 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Play and Codename One in 2026

      Alternatives

      Expand your comparison

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Compare similar software options

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Play or Codename One?
      Codename One edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Play and Codename One offer a free trial?
      Codename One offers a free trial. Play does not.
      What is the starting price of Play vs Codename One?
      Play starts at Contact for pricing. Codename One starts at $19.
      What are the top alternatives to Play?
      Top alternatives to Play include Retool, 8base, 3Pillar Global, Microsoft Azure, Codename One.
      What are the top alternatives to Codename One?
      Top alternatives to Codename One include Zappter, Retool, Firebase, 3Pillar Global, AppInstitute.