Cross-platform apps do not need any introduction in the corporate world. The native app market is highly saturated with over 2.9 million apps in the Google Play and 2 million apps in the Apple App Store. Entrepreneurs have therefore thought of a cross-platform route for their business apps. Today, cross-platform app development is thriving because it is relatively quicker and cheaper than the native app development process.
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Though cross-platform apps are cost-effective, these apps have some restrictions like navigation elements that you need to take care of. There, a robust, reliable, and high-quality framework can assist you to come up with a seamlessly-performing cross-platform app. Here we mention four top cross-platform app development platforms that are capable of addressing the diverse needs of modern businesses. But, before going through these platforms, here are the reasons why you should opt for cross-platform apps for your business.
Top Business Benefits of Cross-platform App Development
- Exposure to the target audience irrespective of operating systems
- Native-like app in a cost-effective way
- Easy maintenance, deployment, and modification
- Reduced development duration and cost
- Reusable code for rapid development across different platforms
- Easy integration with cloud and other technologies
- Faster TTM (Time to Market) and easy customization
- Uniform design with pleasant UX
In today’s competitive business scenario, entrepreneurs focus more on the target audience. The cross-platform app development approach can help them stay ahead of the curve with a fully-functional app.
Four Top Cross-platform App Development Frameworks
In this list, we will include the pros and cons of four highly popular and successful frameworks that can develop feature-rich cross-platform apps. Let’s start with the latest sensation in cross-platform app development- Flutter.
1. Flutter
Flutter is developed and supported by the tech giant Google. It is designed to make cross-platform app development quick and convenient for the developers. Flutter app development promises a native-like experience without compromising on functionality and comfort.
Since launched in 2018, Flutter has remained a preferred choice of hundreds of thousands of app developers. The reasons for its growing popularity include backend support for many programming languages, rich foundation libraries, widgets, and easy-to-use interface. Flutter is a strong competitor to React Native when it comes to responsiveness and performance.
Pros
- Clear and to-the-point documentation
- Faster app development
- Better compatibility with Android and iOS
- Impressive and appealing widgets
- Good track-record
Cons
- Some features are not supported
- Usability concerns
2. PhoneGap
Apache Cordova has developed PhoneGap framework to enable developers to work with a single code base irrespective of different technologies. It is an open-source tool to design cross-platform apps with the help of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. PhoneGap apps are light-weight and usable.
It is one of the most popular cross-platform app development frameworks to date. It is the right platform for building robust apps with a plethora of features. Customization and development are faster to assist you to reach a vast audience in a short time.
Pros
- Huge community support
- AR Plugin
- Native functionality for enterprise apps
- Developer-friendly framework
Cons
- Abundance of graphics
- Non-descriptive and complex documentation
3. Ionic
Ionic framework is highly popular among the cross-platform app developers. It is based on Angular and Apache Cordova. It offers excellent tools and services for developing cross-platform apps with the help of HTML and SaaS technologies. The platform is free-to-use and robust enough to serve a huge customer base globally. Ionic has native-styled layouts, and app developers prefer it because of its predefined elements and extensive features.
Ionic has over 120 native device features, and one of them is Live Reload. This feature enables developers to come up with innovative apps. It is because compiling and redeploying the app on every development stage can be tedious and Live Reload can make it interesting. What’s more, advanced features and customizable tools make Ionic a developer-friendly tool.
Pros
- Free to use
- Excellent UI with necessary features
- Liver-load system that helps to review the app
- Expert developers have appreciated the framework
Cons
- Complicated versions
- Dependence on Cordova or PhoneGap
- Free version has some limitations that make its use difficult
4. React Native
What Google is for Flutter, Facebook is for React Native! Yes, the social media giant has developed this framework back in 2015. Since then, React Native remains one of the best options for developing cross-platform apps. It enables mobile app developers to design cross-platform apps without putting much effort. It gives an experience like native apps to the end-users through attractive UI.
Many renowned apps including Facebook and Instagram are being run on this framework. Though this platform can design enterprise-grade apps with desired features, it needs a long time for coding. React Native is a bit complex platform and beginners cannot use it properly for making apps.
React Native has a vast community of enthusiastic developers along with a dedicated team of Facebook-based developers. This community supports all developers who got stuck anywhere during the development phase. App developers can get real-time assistance from the community and easily explore the solutions.
But then, if the corporate client has no in-house team of IT professionals, it is difficult to manage and customize the React Native app.
Pros
- Develop powerful apps
- Many social plugins are available
- Huge support from the community
Cons
- Platform is not for freshers or beginners
- Some developers have found it unstable
How to choose the right cross-platform app development in 2020?
When it comes to selecting the right platform for developing hybrid or cross-platform apps, you need to pay attention to various aspects including your target audience and app objectives.
Here are key elements you should consider while selecting the right cross-platform app development-
- Company size and estimated budget
- Developer’s expertise
- Desired features and necessary solutions
For example, if you own a startup and want a simple app for your company, Ionic can effectively serve your purpose. But if your company is a large enterprise then you need robust app solutions. There, React Native should be your choice. You can also consider Flutter to develop an enterprise-grade app with necessary features that can seamlessly run across different platforms.
Excellent team of professionals can assist you to bring a seamlessly performing cross-platform app. All you need to consult a reliable and reputed mobile app development company.
Robert Jackson is a content cum digital marketer at Solution Analyst, a leading mobile app development company. He is an avid reader and likes to remain updated for technological advancements in the domains of web, mobility, IoT, and emerging technologies. His articles are informative and interesting at the same time as he expresses insightful thoughts clearly.