Codename One vs Red
When comparing Codename One vs Red, the Slant community recommends Codename One for most people. In the question“What are the best tools for making a cross-platform application?” Codename One is ranked 17th while Red is ranked 21st.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro High performance
Pro Open source
Pro Highly customizable
By utilizing lightweight component architecture and the built in graphical designer and theming options you are able to customize a good looking app on any platform.
Pro Java 8 support
Pro Works with all IDEs
Works with NetBeans, Eclipse, IntelliJ, etc.
Pro Multi-platform development environments (via build server)
You can even use Linux desktops to build native iOS apps, no need for a Mac.
Pro Vibrant & helpful community
Pro Attractive pricing
It is possible to build production grade apps even with the free version. Pricing is decent when compared to competitors like Xamarin.
Pro Simple toolchain
Other languages have complex, multi-step setups that beginners often get stuck on. Red has no installer, no setup, no dependencies*, just a single small (~1MB) command-line executable with both the compiler and repl. On Windows, you don't even have to launch executable from the command line--it has a GUI-console.
Pro Very simple syntax
Red syntax is a lot like Rebol. It's easier than most languages for beginners to pick up.
Pro Both low and high-level
Red has low enough access to do systems programming, but it's expressive enough for high-level scripting.
Pro Low cognitive load
Red has very simple syntax that's easy to learn. It gets out of your way and lets you think about the problem instead, enhancing productivity.
Cons
Con Not production ready
Red is still under development and not considered stable.
Con Still in beta
It mostly works. It's good enough for building usable applications, but some planned features are missing.