Top 5 Cross Platform App Development Frameworks

The growing popularity of the rapidly advancing cross-platform mobile development technology has resulted in many new tools emerging on the market. With many options available, it can be challenging to pick the one that will best suit your needs.

Cross-platform app development comes with its own set of advantages which plays an important role in its current popularity. With the expansion of its reach, a wide range of cross platform app development tools and frameworks have been introduced in the market all at once.

This trend was followed by every other mobile app development company trying their hands at this interesting and one-of-a-kind technology. The outcome - We now have a plethora of such tools and frameworks, which at times, can be overwhelming for the developers.

Curious to know about the best frameworks to consider when you're planning to build an app? Let’s take a dive into the world of multi-platform app development to get to know about how you can build a cross-platform app that is efficient and user-friendly using various frameworks.

Cross-platform App Development Frameworks - A Concise Introduction

With so many different devices coming out, apps must be built to support all of them. A Cross Platform App Development Framework is a set of tools that enables you to build native or native-like applications with a single codebase for several platforms including:

• Android
• iOS
• Windows
• Web

Shareable code is one of the main advantages this approach has over native app development. Having one single codebase means that mobile app developers can save themselves from the hassle of writing new code for each operating system, thus expediting the overall development process.

Leveraging the cross-platform mobile app development approach, software developers can create quick and cost-efficient solutions. This will also allow them to reach a significantly larger target audience at a considerably lower cost and time on multiple platforms. 

Why is Cross Platform App Development Becoming Popular?

Software developers, these days, are interested in application development frameworks because it is a convenient way to create apps that are compatible with a wide variety of devices.

Any mobile app developed via iOS and Android cross platform development process could also be developed for a desktop computer and this is one of the many benefits cross-platform application development has to offer. This is a big change from the past when most apps were developed separately for mobile devices and for the web.

Cross-platform app development, also known as ‘hybrid mobile app frameworks development’ allows you to provide a slick user experience to your consumers on any device. You can create an app for iPhone, iPad, or Android, and you don’t need to create an entirely new app for each platform.

It is beneficial for the consumer because they have access to a different user experience on any device, and it is beneficial for the developer because it allows them to create a product that is accessible to a wider audience. So, there is a win-win situation at both ends.

Why Use Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks?

Cross-platform app development companies all over the world are making use of cross-platform app development frameworks to enhance and upgrade their digital presence on both the Android and iOS platforms.

With the emergence of these frameworks, it has become simple to develop apps that not only have a single platform but also have a universal layout.

 

 

These application development frameworks also provide developers with the ability to create apps that work on multiple platforms. This shift in development has made the process of creating an app easier than ever before. Some of the key benefits of using a cross-platform app development framework include: 

Code Reusability

Probably one of the best advantages of cross-platform application development frameworks. A program written once can be reused for different platforms, eliminating the need for the operating system and hardware changes. This is called “write once, run anywhere” (WORA).

This reusability of code makes it possible to save money because there is less duplication of effort, and it also allows developers to add additional platforms later with minimum effort.

Reduced Costs and Resources

Cross-platform app development frameworks help one to balance quality/costs by using a smaller team with a single skill set and a source code for several platforms. The framework can be modified in response to business needs, and this flexibility reduces costs.

Easy Deployment and Maintenance

Because digital platforms use a single code database, programmers only need to maintain a single source code. This makes it easy and quick to install, maintain, and update. When the code is updated, it syncs onto several platforms and devices, which saves time and energy.

Limited Technical Barriers

As there is no need to learn languages like Swift or Objective-C, app developers encounter few technical barriers when developing cross-platform apps. For example, companies need to hire dedicated developers with experience with HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript.

Wider Audience Reach 

Cross-platform apps can accelerate a business's time to market by providing a broader reach. They also allow for increased customization and flexibility due to the quick turnaround time.

Top Cross-Platform Frameworks for Better App Development

 

 

There are several cross-platform application development frameworks, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose a framework based on the language you prefer to write your code in, as well as on the framework's popularity. However, selecting the right framework can be challenging because there are many options available.

Some of the most famous cross-platform application development frameworks that are making waves in recent years include:

1. Flutter

Flutter is a mobile SDK that makes it easy to build high-quality native apps with a focus on user experience. It is a very popular cross-platform app development framework that helps you build beautiful, high-performing apps for Android and iOS powered by the Dart programming language.

Flutter is faster than traditional tools like Xcode and Swift, and you get all the framework support you need to build your app fast. Flutter was initially developed by Google as part of their Native App Project, and it has been open-sourced since 2017.

Key Features

• Themes and Styles: You can choose between several different themes and styles, so you can easily change the look of your app as needed.
• Devices: Flutter supports both Android and iOS devices, so you're never stuck with just one platform.
• Screens: Flutter has screens that are easy to add, adjust or remove from your app - it's all done through code!
• Offers a complete set of tools - for creating modern UIs from scratch or borrowing from third-party libraries.
• Includes a rich collection of components and widgets - that can be used across mobile platforms.
• Accessibility features - such as VoiceOver support for users with disabilities

Applications Built on Flutter

Some of the best cross-platform applications built on Flutter are:

• Google family of products – Stadia, Google Ads, Google Assistant. 
• Alibaba Group
• My BMW
• Toyota
• eBay
• Groupon App

2. Ionic

Ionic is a framework for building mobile apps using Angular. It has been designed to be easy to learn, use and integrate into your existing applications.

Ionic apps are built using the Angular JavaScript framework and HTML5. The framework provides an extensive set of features that allows developers to build beautiful, responsive, and mobile-friendly web apps. Ionic lets you add a single line of code to your existing web app and immediately see it on your phone or tablet!

Key Features

• Support for Native Components - Ionic uses the Cordova plugin system, which means that it supports native components that have been created by third-party developers. This makes it easier than ever before to add any functionality you need to your mobile app.
• Two Ways To Build Apps - There are two ways to build your mobile apps with Ionic: a) Using Create App command in the terminal or b) Writing code inside a web page using HTML5 tags (or any other language you want).
• Accessibility - Works with screen readers
• Animations - Drag and drop animations for when buttons are clicked
• Custom Interactions - Use custom touch events with CSS transitions
• Form Validation - Automatically checks forms for errors before sending data back to the server
• High-Performance Components - Optimized HTML5 elements like Dialogs and Sliders
• Fast performance - Progressive enhancement allows you to build fast apps with the minimum amount of code required
• Accessibility - Ionic 4 supports accessibility features such as VoiceOver and Zoom out by default

Applications Built on Ionic

Some of the best cross-platform applications built on Ionic include:

• JustWatch
• Firstly
• MarketWatch
• Stockplan Connect
• Diesel
• Mclaren Automotive

3. Xamarin

Xamarin is a powerful and flexible platform used to develop cross-platform mobile apps that can run on iOS, Android, and Windows platforms. It allows you to create native apps using C# or Visual Basic code.

Xamarin can be used to develop native apps for all three platforms at the same time, which saves time on development. The app can be tested on each platform without having to build multiple versions of the same application.

Key Features

• Automatic versioning
• Native UI performance improvements
• Cross-platform support for multiple platforms at once
• Native C/C++ code generation for each platform (iOS/Android/Windows)
• Code sharing allows you to share code across platforms. This means you can reuse code across platforms, which reduces development time and costs.

Applications Built on Xamarin

Here are some of the best cross-platform applications built on Xamarin include:

• Storyo
• The World Bank
• Olo
• FreshDirect
• Insightly
• Alaska Airlines

4. React Native

ReactNative is an open-source framework for developing mobile applications using JavaScript. It allows developers to create apps for both iOS and Android, using the same codebase, making it a popular choice among web developers who want to try their hand at mobile development.

ReactNative was created by Facebook in 2016 as a way of tackling issues with native app development on the platform, including performance and memory consumption issues. It has since been adopted by other companies like Instagram, where it has become the primary means of bringing new functionality to their apps.

Key Features

• A JavaScript library that lets you write your app's code in familiar JavaScript syntax (including classes, functions, and closures)
• Transpilers that convert your code into native Swift or Java files so that it can be consumed by your app's engine (in Android) or runtime (in iOS).
• Native modules that let developers reuse existing Objective-C/Swift APIs without having to rewrite them from scratch
• It's easy to use: The framework was designed to be easy for beginners, but it's also powerful enough for advanced developers looking for a way to quickly get started building mobile applications.
• It supports multiple platforms: ReactNative can be used with iOS and Android--and many other platforms are in development!
• It's fast: React Native runs on both Android and iOS devices and requires very little memory or CPU power.

Applications Built on ReactNative

Considered one of the most popular cross-platform application development frameworks, here are some of the applications built on ReactNative

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Bloomberg
• UberEats
• Discord
• Salesforce
• Pinterest

5. Apache Cordova (Previously known as Phonegap)

Apache Cordova is an open-source framework that lets you build mobile apps using web technologies. It's built on top of the powerful PhoneGap framework, which itself was created by Adobe to help developers build cross-platform apps. 

Cordova can be used to develop applications for both iOS and Android mobile devices, but it can also be used to create desktop applications if you're so inclined. It's similar to Adobe Edge, but with more features and options.

Key Features 

• Built-in access to APIs for various platforms and devices
• Easy integration with other tools like PhoneGap
• Flexibility in terms of how you use it (e.g., whether you want a simple web app or something that looks more like an app on your phone)
• Develop native iOS apps with Objective-C, Swift, or Java
• Build hybrid mobile app frameworks that run natively on Android devices and in the browser
• Accessing native device features such as contracts, media files and even device sensors

Applications Built on Apache Cordova

Some of the best cross-platform applications built on Apache Cordova include:

• Strapi
• WebStorm
• Vue CLI
• Pacifica
• Walmart
• Adobe

Key Takeaways

With the right skills, all these cross-platform app development frameworks will help you build an efficient and robust application for your business. Play around with some of these tools before deciding on one that's right for your project.

 

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1. What is cross-platform mobile app development?

Cross-platform mobile app development is about creating apps for iOS, Android, and other platforms through a single code base. The idea is that you can make your mobile app available to more users by developing it on several different platforms.

Cross-platform means that the app can be used on different hardware (iPhones, Android phones) and operating systems (iOS, Android). You develop once and then have the option to release your app in multiple formats.

2 . Which frameworks can be used to develop cross-platform applications?

Cross-platform frameworks are tools used to develop cross-platform applications. These frameworks are designed to make it easier for developers to create applications that run on multiple platforms, including mobile devices and desktops.

There are many different types of cross-platform frameworks available:

• Native: These frameworks use native code to execute their functions. The main advantage of using native code is that the user interface can take advantage of the device's native capabilities.
  
  
• JavaScript: A JavaScript framework is one that does not use native code for its execution; instead, it uses JavaScript for its execution. JavaScript frameworks allow developers to create rich web applications without having to worry about creating multiple versions of their application for different platforms
  
  
• Web: A web framework uses HTML5 and JavaScript for its execution; this means that it can run across all popular browsers without any additional coding needed from web app developers!

3. How do you make an app cross-platform?

Cross-platform development is a process that allows you to build an app that works on multiple platforms. This is useful because it allows your app to be accessible by anyone who has access to those platforms, which can help you reach more people.

There are three main steps in cross-platform development:

1. Creating the app for each platform separately (with each platform having its own version of the code)
2. Testing and debugging each platform individually (so that you don't break anything when you update one) 
3. Merging all of the code into one file for each platform, so that it's easy for developers to use when working on multiple versions of an app at once (or when doing other things with just one computer)

4. What are the most preferred cross-platform mobile app development frameworks for 2022?

The most preferred cross-platform mobile app development frameworks for 2022 are:

• React Native
• Ionic Framework
• Xamarin
• Cordova