When developing a mobile app, there are several factors to consider: functionality, adaptability, cost, and optimization. Cross-platform allows developers to write code for several operating systems at once. For business it is an opportunity to save money, launch faster and reach a larger segment of users
Cross-platform applications are running on multiple operating systems at once. The task of programmers is to write code that deploys well on all operating systems.
That universal approach to development fulfills two important conditions: saving time and money. Developers make the application much faster. Or rather, the app itself is developed as much as an iPhone or Android app. But if a business orders an app for different systems, it takes twice as much time to develop. As well as money.
But there are disadvantages: cross-platform applications are not as flexible as native ones, because it is difficult to implement all the features to make them work well on different devices. App stores have their own requirements, and they need to be taken into account during development. This creates additional discomfort and difficulties.
Advantages of Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform development opens up new opportunities for business and allows you to launch as soon as possible. If the product is not too complex, understandable, performs certain tasks, then it is the best solution for a quick and effective launch.
Maximum impact on the target audience
If you know that your customers use both android and iOs, then reaching all types of mobile devices will help to get a wide segment of users. Of course, there are a lot of nuances to consider when developing, in particular interface mapping, compliance with the requirements of the platforms. But against the backdrop of opportunities, fulfilling these conditions will not be difficult. For businesses, it is a cost-effective investment, allowing you to get more new customers.
Reduced development costs
Uses a single technology stack for both android and iPhone. Fewer specialists are required to take part, the development process itself is simplified by creating a single module for different systems. Therefore, if a company wants to save money but still get a quality application, cross-platform development is a great way to achieve the desired result.
Easy Maintenance and Deployment
Deployment is much faster due to the fact that there is a single code base that can be easily integrated into any operating system. Subsequently, maintenance and changes are also much faster because the changes are only to a single code. By releasing an update, it works on all operating systems. This saves not only time, but also budget.
Fast development process
The speed of creating a mobile app increases significantly. Imagine having to develop an app for android first, then for iOs. It’s a lengthy process, it’s worth considering the interface, a number of system requirements. At the same time, cross-platform development allows the creation of a single application that works perfectly on all devices.
Adaptability
Launching a cross-platform application to market is much easier. It is enough to consider a number of requirements that the stores put up. The promotion of the application on the market is easier, users are eager to download it to their devices. After all, such an application complies with all security conditions, has a user-friendly interface, and adapts to different smartphones.
Frameworks
Cross-platform frameworks can be classified into two groups: Hybrid-Native and Hybrid-Web.
The hybrid-native approach combines frameworks with a native user interface and shared code; and frameworks with a shared code base and native code. These include the cross-platform application development platforms React Native, Xamarin, NativeScript, and Flutter.
Hybrid web development of cross-platform applications is based on frameworks with a web interface and common components and with a single codebase that runs anywhere. An example of such a cross-platform framework is Ionic.
React Native
React Native is used to translate application code into machine language and provide a native look and feel to mobile applications.
When working with React Native, you need to build your own controls, build a hierarchy with integration in mind, and develop the user interface in React Native.
Characteristics:
The app will work on all platforms: almost all the code is written in JavaScript, a common language for all platforms, and this code interacts with native OS components. But keep in mind that, for example, making the application conform to the formal requirements of different operating systems will have to be done separately.
Simple and easy to use. The cross-platform React Native framework is quite simple and convenient.
Time savings. Cross-platform, open-source plugins, and ease of development all make it easier and less time-consuming.
Similarity to native apps. Applications created with React Native are close to native apps in behavior and appearance. React Native is ideal if you want the speed of a native app, but don’t want the complexity.
Not suitable for a project with heavy and complex graphics and animation, and if you really need to, you may have to fiddle with the native code,
Applications written on the React Native platform are somewhere in the middle between native and hybrid. We can say that this framework represents the future of mobile app development and makes the border between native and hybrid development more transparent.
Flutter
Flutter allows you to create applications in the Dart language. Flutter offers many UI elements that look native to the OS, but in fact are not. This framework can be suitable for creating a unified UX, and it takes a different approach than React Native.
Flutter doesn’t turn source code into native code that is executed by the platform. In fact, it draws a window on the phone screen and outputs all the elements themselves.
Characteristics:
Originally conceived as a tool for developing client applications, it was optimized and created for UI development. This language provides excellent opportunities for the development of cross-platform mobile applications. In addition, Dart was created by Google as an extended version of JavaScript.
There doesn’t seem to be a language or set of development tools that are easy to learn. However, there is a big difference between when there is clear documentation and standard design patterns, and when you can only find miscellaneous documentation and conflicting ways to solve seemingly simple problems. Flutter is the former case!
Flutter applications are compiled to machine code using the graphics and rendering engines built into C/C++. That’s why such applications are fast and reliable. In the cross-platform realm, this gives Flutter a clear advantage over the competition.
Flutter is built with a great language and a fast rendering engine Skia.
It’s a young framework and some components are missing, and there are too many updates, and this threatens that you will constantly have to keep up with the latest versions of the framework and its libraries,
Not suitable for a project with heavy and complex graphics and animation, and if you really need to, you may have to fiddle with the native code.
NativeScript
This framework uses the native rendering facilities of each platform – that is, it actually provides a native user interface.
Characteristics:
Open source and it’s free.
Ability to create native apps for devices on any OS.
Access to native platform APIs via JavaScript code and the ability to integrate absolutely any JavaScript library.
The package manager has an extensive library of NativeScript plugins.
Moreover, the cross-platform NativeScript environment supports all components from the AndroidArsenal and also accesses native methods from native libraries.
Conclusion
Cross-platform development is a good and clear direction, but with its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be kept in mind even before launching the project. A cross-platform app is obviously better than an unmade native one. You can quickly and cheaply develop it, upload it to the store and simply check the demand from users – whether they are looking for the app from you, whether they install it, what functions they use. Based on the results of such an experiment, you can decide the fate of your company’s mobile business and investment in it.
