Contact us anytime to know more — Abhishek P., Founder & CFO CISIN
As a developer, this can be overwhelming. This list contains the top cross-platform frameworks for app development.
It will help you in your search for the ideal framework. Specific criteria must be met to declare something "best" in a domain or category.
What is a Cross-Platform App Development Framework Framework?
Cross-platform software can be used on different operating systems, including Windows, iOS, and Android. There is no need for separate platform-specific code for cross-platform programs.
Instead, a single code will enable cross-platform use of the software. This is a prevalent method in app development today. It is used by almost all top mobile app development companies.
Note: To get a more in-depth view, refer to this guide on cross-platform app development.
What are the Best Frameworks for Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?
Ionic
Ionic, based on AngularJS, is one of the most popular and impressive cross-platform app frameworks. It enables programmers to access native platform controllers by combining HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS with the Cordova wrapper.
Ionic allows native developers to create a user interface that is both creative and user-friendly. Ionic is an excellent framework for developing native-like apps.
Features
- It is an open-source front-end framework that allows for modifications to the code structure.
This makes it suitable for every developer and saves time.
It is a strong competitor to Ionic in the battle for React Native vs Ionic.
- Ionic is built on a SAAS UI framework specifically designed for mobile operating systems.
It includes many UI components that can be used to develop robust applications.
- Another feature that is highly appreciated is its AngularJS base.
This allows you to add extensions to HTML's syntax and core functionalities and embed functional yet attractive features and components into your app.
- This framework uses Cordova plugins, which give access to the in-built features of devices like Cameras, GPS, and Audio Recorders.
It is one of the main benefits of cross-platform development tools.
- Ionic is a popular choice for developers because it gives the apps a natural feel.
It allows developers to create cross-platform apps that can run on different platforms.
React Native
React Native is a cross-platform framework that can be used to create apps. React Native is a JavaScript-based framework to develop actual code and give mobile apps a native feel.
It works on both Android and iOS. React Native is a popular choice for developers, but it also has many benefits that businesses trust.
React Native combines the best of JavaScript and React.JS with the ability to create modules in Objective-C or Swift.
Developers can perform complex operations, such as image editing or video processing, using React Native cross-platform apps.
Features
- React Native, an open-source, cross-platform app framework similar to Ionic, is excellent.
It has a large community that supports it and helps to improve it.
- Cross-platform development teams have the advantage of requiring one-time programming (WORA) to develop apps for multiple platforms, such as Android and iOS.
This resolves other frameworks' drawback of requiring developers to write code twice for the same program on several platforms.
- React Native app development costs are lower, and one-time coding reduces development time by up to 50%.
- React Native works well with third-party plugins like Google Maps.
- React Native is a UI-first platform that renders a responsive interface.
React Native reduces loading time and provides a seamless interface to applications.
Flutter
In 2017, Google launched Flutter, a cross-platform app framework. It's a software development tool that facilitates the rapid development of iOS and Android apps.
It is the primary and fundamental method of developing Google Fuschia applications.
Flutter allows apps to run efficiently on multiple platforms with uniformity and dynamicity.
These are just a few fantastic features that make Flutter a great cross-platform platform framework for developers.
Features
- Flutter advocates a mobile GPU that renders UI power and allows it to work with the most recent interfaces.
- Flutter doesn't require you to manually update the UI content since it uses a reactive framework.
Developers of Flutter apps merely need to update variables.
The user interface will then alter.
- The Flutter cross-platform application framework is an excellent choice for developing Minimum Viable Products (MVP).
It initiates a fast development process and is cost-efficient.
- Developers can quickly and efficiently create a widget tree from scratch.
- Flutter comes with an integrated graphics engine.
These features mean developers don't have to create separate interfaces for iOS and Android.
Xamarin
The Xamarin cross-platform app development frameworks are very different from the previously discussed ones. This framework is streamlined and can be used to develop apps for Android, Windows, and iOS using C# and .Net instead of HTML and JS libraries.
This allows developers to use 90% of code to build apps for three different platforms.
Xamarin makes it easy to create apps that look like native apps with its incredible APIs. This makes it harder for developers to decide between Xamarin and React Native.
Xamarin's key features explain why it is one of the most popular cross-platform mobile development tools.
Features
- Apps built on the Xamarin framework use C# - a modern cross-platform app development language with advantages over Objective-C or Java.
- Xamarin gives developers native-level app functionality.
Hardware compatibility problems are greatly diminished with plugins or particular APIs interacting with standard device capabilities.
Additionally, connecting with native libraries is encouraged, enabling customization and native-level capabilities.
It is a top-rated framework for Android app development.
- Xamarin allows the direct inclusion of Objective C, Java, and C++ libraries.
This will enable developers to reuse numerous third-party codebases encrypted in Java, Objective-C, or C++.
It is one of the most popular cross-platform frameworks.
- Xamarin helps reduce the time and costs of developing mobile apps.
It supports WORA (Write Once, Run Anywhere) and a considerable collection of class libraries.
- Xamarin provides robust compile time checking.
This facility allows developers to see fewer errors during runtime and create well-functioning apps.
- Xamarin offers a stunning native user interface that allows developers to create native-like apps.
NativeScript
NativeScript is a free, cross-platform framework that uses JavaScript. NativeScript is an excellent choice for developers who are looking for WORA functionality.
NativeScript offers all native APIs. This allows developers to reuse plugins directly from NPM into their projects.
Features
- NativeScript creates beautiful, intuitive, platform-native UI without WebViews.
NativeScript can be defined once by developers and then adapted to any platform.
You can customize the UI for specific screens and devices.
- NativeScript, unlike React Native, provides developers with a comprehensive web resource loaded with plugins to support all types of solutions.
This eliminates the need to use third-party solutions.
- NativeScript allows developers to access native Android and iOS APIs easily.
This means that they don't have to be familiar with native languages.
- It uses TypeScript and Angular for programming purposes.
- NativeScript supports segments such as AndroidArsenal or Cocoapods and calls libraries for local strategies.
What are the Benefits of Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks?
Maximum Exposure to the Target Audience
Cross-platform mobile development allows you to create an app and send it over multiple platforms, including the internet.
By building one application, you can target both iOS and Android platforms. This allows for greater reach.
Development Costs Reduced
Composing once, running everywhere, is a critical principle in cross-platform application development. The development cost can be reduced using reusable codes and agile development tools.
Cross-platform applications are a great way to increase your business's effectiveness on multiple platforms and devices.
Easier Maintenance & Deployment
It is easier to maintain a single application that runs on all platforms. Updates can be quickly synced across all platforms and devices, saving time and money.
A bug in the codebase should be reported immediately. Developers can save time and money by following these guidelines.
Quicker Development Process
Another advantage to cross-platform application creation is the speed of development. A single source code can be used for multiple platforms, reducing development time by up to 50% to 80%.
This allows you to develop a more feature-rich business application quickly. This group of developers can meet the deadlines for cross-platform application development.
Code That Can be Reused
This platform also has the advantage of allowing you to reuse the code repeatedly. Instead of developers writing new code for every forum, one code can be reused.
This eliminates the need to create unique codes for each platform, which saves time and money.
Read More: Why should you opt for cross-platform app development?
Cloud Integration is Easy
Cross-platform mobile apps are fully compatible and can use different plugins integrated with the cloud settings.
The single source code can be enriched with multiple plugins and extensions to increase the app's usefulness and scalability.
A business looking to be present on mobile seeks to reach mass audiences at a low development cost and rapid launch time.
This is the sweet spot all businesses want to reach. This sweet spot is costly.
Businesses often have to choose between one or the other. They will need to compromise on app quality if they want to achieve a quick time to market with low development costs.
If they intend to focus on app quality, both the time-to-market and cost factors will rise.
A brand must be able to reach all three platforms to succeed.
Although creating cross-platform apps is a fantastic choice, few libraries or frameworks can meet your quality standards.
The same as a native. React Native for App Development is one of the few libraries that offers both business and end users the best.
React Native has established itself as the best framework for offering the perfect trio to businesses. This has, in many ways, made it rank ahead of the time-consuming but high-quality React Native Development process.
React Native has been undergoing a re-architecture, and there's no stopping it.
Based on the current market share, React Native's acceptance by the business world is at an all-time high.
React Native is a step ahead of Native App Development in many ways. Here are a few reasons React Native has been our foundation for cross-platform app development.
Why Use React Native for App Development?
These are the five reasons we, the most trusted React Native App Development Company, swear by the library to develop mobile apps that run on iOS and Android.
Single Coding Base
The codebase for Android and iOS are typically utilized separately in mobile app development scenarios. React Native allows you to create apps that run on Android or iOS with the same codebase.
The single codebase of React Native makes it simple for developers to write code once and run it across several platforms.
This eliminates the need to rewrite the code twice.
Reactive Native App Development is a much more efficient way to develop apps.
Reusable Component
The days of WebView components used to develop hybrid mobile apps are gone. Because React Native app developers employ reusable "native components" as building blocks, which frequently translate directly into native apps, this is possible.
Additionally, components used in developing iOS and Android apps have React Native counterparts, making it possible for developers to achieve a platform-specific look and feel.
React Native Apps are built with a component-specific structure that allows you to create apps using an agile, web-based development approach.
This is a development method that is more advanced than traditional hybrid apps. The app will have the same look, speed, and necessary functionality as the native mobile app.
Zero Rewriting
React Native app developers can use the library to integrate Native components into their current mobile app code.
React Native App Developers don't have to create code from scratch to allow an existing mobile app to switch to the React Native library.
Third-Party Plug-In Compatibility
Cross-platform app development is a disadvantage. You can't develop a mobile application for any particular operating system.
It is complicated to integrate the hardware capabilities of the device into native app development.
React Native apps are not susceptible to this problem. Third-party plugins are available to make it easy for developers to integrate device-in-built elements such as Bluetooth and GPS.
The mobile app.
React native app developers don't have to deal with load speed and memory issues because they use third-party plugins.
Quality Code Improvement
React Native for App Development is a low-code investment. Their code lines are cut by half, as the mobile app developers now only have to code once for each platform.
It also reduces the number of bugs and incorrect codes.
Because the code lines are now restricted to a few, testing efforts get cut down to a large extent. This makes the mobile app development process much faster.
These reasons, along with the ease of developing and access to a larger market, have enticed many established brands to shift their mobile business processes to React Native for App development.
React Native: When to Use It for App Development
Apps with Low to Medium Complexity
App development with React Native is most useful when the app has a low- to medium-level complexity. Using reusable components is also a good idea rather than developing every element from scratch.
If you Have a Limited Budget
React Native is an excellent library for developing mobile apps that are both cost-effective and time-efficient.
React Native is based on a single codebase, making it easier to build apps and reducing development time. The React native app development costs are also reduced.
When you Develop an App From Scratch
React Native is a better choice if you're looking to develop a cross-platform app. However, we firmly recommend not using React Native if your app is already developed.
React Native is the most widely used library for cross-platform apps on iOS and Android. However, there are times when React Native may not be the best choice.
These are some instances where the React Native library should not be used.
Why Not Use React Native to Develop Apps?
Why, With a Single Operating System, would the app Perform Better?
Businesses may invest in Android and iOS to get maximum attention from users worldwide.
They need to market research where their prospects are located. We recommend that businesses thoroughly study their users and limit themselves to one platform to gauge acceptance rates.
Instead of developing apps for all platforms, you should focus on react native development company.
Apps with Complex UI
JavaScript is excellent for developing fast, smooth apps. However, native platforms for iOS and Android - Java, Kotlin Swift, and Objective - C, are better suited to develop complex apps that are too hardware-oriented.
Native apps are also a good investment if your app requires higher customization.
Apps that Require High Maintenance
React Native is still in its development phase. Suppose you are developing an app that requires constant updates or maintenance.
In that case, you'll first need to check the React Native documentation. A guarantee by Facebook that React Native will be preserved is not enough.
Conclusion
After considering all the options available to a competent cross-platform app developer company, it is time to wait to see how these frameworks compare to each other to remain competitive in the market and how they fare against new frameworks that are entering the market.
