Top 20 Networking SDKs Used in Android Apps on Google Play
We at 42matters have identified the 20 most popular Networking SDKs leveraged by Android apps available on the Android app market.
Networking SDKs are developer tools that provide networking functionalities for mobile apps. They enable developers to build apps capable of communicating with servers or other devices over a network, without having to build these capabilities from scratch. Network SDKs typically facilitate network requests, response handling, authentication, and more.
This list is based on our analysis of the millions of mobile applications – and the 2,300+ SDKs they use – that constitute the vast inventory of the Google Play Store. The accompanying data provides readers with a glimpse into the rich mobile application insights generated by the 42matters technology. This data is also available via our APIs, file dumps, Explorer, and SDK Explorer.
The intended purpose of this article is to assist app builders in their search for the perfect Networking SDK to leverage in their app, as well as to give SDK developers insight into their biggest competitors and potential customers. This data collected by our technology may also serve as a useful tool for folks researching the wider mobile app market.
The 20 most widely-integrated networking SDKs:
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 83.75% have integrated OkHttp. This accounts for 77.96% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
The OkHttp SDK is Square’s meticulous HTTP client for Java and Kotlin.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use OkHttp.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 64.27% have integrated gson. This accounts for 74.22% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
gson is a Java library SDK that can be used to convert Java Objects into their JSON representation. It can also be used to convert a JSON string to an equivalent Java object.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use gson.
Retrofit
Check “Retrofit” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 29.07% have integrated Retrofit. This accounts for 20.66% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Retrofit is an SDK that offers a type-safe HTTP client for Android and the JVM.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Retrofit.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 15.74% have integrated Volley. This accounts for 16.20% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Volley is an HTTP library SDK that makes networking for Android apps easier and, most importantly, faster.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Volley.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 11.81% have integrated gRPC. This accounts for 15.07% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
gRPC is a modern open source, high-performance RPC framework SDK that can run in any environment. It can efficiently connect services in and across data centers with pluggable support for load balancing, tracing, health checking, and authentication.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use gRPC.
Apache HttpComponents
Check “Apache HttpComponents” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 6.65% have integrated Apache HttpComponents. This accounts for 7.84% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
The Apache HttpComponents project SDK is responsible for creating and maintaining a toolset of low level Java components focused on HTTP and associated protocols.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apache HttpComponents.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 4.09% have integrated WebRTC. This accounts for 9.57% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
With WebRTC, you can add real-time communication capabilities to your mobile apps. It supports sending videos, voice, and generic data between peers, allowing developers to build powerful voice- and video-communication solutions.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use WebRTC.
Socket.io
Check “Socket.io” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 3.89% have integrated Socket.io. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Socket.IO is an SDK that enables real-time, bidirectional and event-based communication. It works on every platform, browser or device, focusing equally on reliability and speed.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Socket.io.
Engine.IO
Check “Engine.IO” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 3.88% have integrated Engine.IO. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
The Engine.IO SDK is the implementation of a transport-based, cross-browser/cross-device, bi-directional communication layer for Socket.IO.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Engine.IO.
HttpClient by Msebera
Check “HttpClient by Msebera” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 2.28% have integrated HttpClient by Msebera. This accounts for 4.35% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
HttpClient by Msebera is an SDK that helps you build repackaged, upstream versions of HttpClient and its depdendencies (HttpMime, HttpCore, HttpClient-Cache) for versions 3 to 23 of the Android API.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use HttpClient by Msebera.
Android Asynchronous Http Client
Check “Android Asynchronous Http Client” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 2.17% have integrated Android Asynchronous Http Client. This accounts for 3.05% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Android Asynchronous Http Client is an asynchronous, callback-based Http client SDK for Android apps. It was built on top of Apache’s HttpClient libraries.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Android Asynchronous Http Client.
Simple Framework
Check “Simple Framework” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 1.98% have integrated Simple Framework. This accounts for 1.64% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Simple Framework is an SDK that brings simplicity, scalability, and performance to server side Java. The primary focus of the project is to provide a truly embeddable Java based HTTP and WebSocket engine capable of handling enormous loads.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Simple Framework.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, 1.33% have integrated Ktor. This accounts for 3.50% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Ktor.
AndroidAsync
Check “AndroidAsync” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated AndroidAsync. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
AndroidAsync is a low level network protocol library SDK. It has an asynchronous socket, http(s) (client+server) and websocket library for Android.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use AndroidAsync.
Alibaba Fastjson
Check “Alibaba Fastjson” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Alibaba Fastjson. This accounts for 2.67% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Fastjson is a Java library SDK that can be used to convert Java objects into their JSON representation. It can also be used to convert a JSON string to an equivalent Java object.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Alibaba Fastjson.
Android Asynchronous Networking and Image Loading
Check “Android Asynchronous Networking and Image Loading” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Android Asynchronous Networking and Image Loading. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Ion is an android library SDK for asynchronous networking and image loading.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Android Asynchronous Networking and Image Loading.
Store by NYTimes
Check “Store by NYTimes” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Store by NYTimes. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Store by NYTimes.
Http Request
Check “Http Request” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Http Request. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Http Request is a simple convenience library SDK for using an HttpURLConnection to make requests and access responses.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Http Request.
Among all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Smack. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Smack is an Open Source XMPP client library for instant messaging and presence. This SDK is a pure Java library and can be embedded into your applications to create anything from a full XMPP client to simple XMPP integrations, such as sending notification messages and presence-enabling devices.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Smack.
Tinder Scarlet
Check “Tinder Scarlet” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing networking SDKs, <1% have integrated Tinder Scarlet. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the networking SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Tinder Scarlet.
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