Many of our clients are asking:
What is the difference between native and cross-platform mobile apps? What are the benefits of cross-platform?
Here’s a quick explanation and breakdown of the differences and benefits.
Cross platform mobile app development refers to the practice of building mobile applications that can be deployed and run on multiple mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android, using a single codebase. This is in contrast to native app development, which involves building separate apps for each mobile platform using platform-specific programming languages and frameworks.
There are several benefits to using cross platform mobile app development for businesses, as opposed to native app development:
1. Cost savings
Building separate native apps for each mobile platform can be time-consuming and costly. With cross platform mobile app development, businesses can build and maintain a single app for both iOS and Android, which can save time and money on development and maintenance.
2. Faster development
Cross platform mobile app development allows developers to build an app once and deploy it on multiple platforms, rather than building separate apps for each platform. This can significantly reduce the time it takes to develop an app and bring it to market.
3. Easier to scale
If a business wants to expand its app to new platforms or markets, it can be easier and faster to do so with a cross platform app. With a native app, the business would need to build a separate version of the app for each new platform.
4. Greater reach
By building a cross platform app, businesses can reach a wider audience, as their app will be available on both iOS and Android devices. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that are targeting a global market.
5. Code reuse
With cross platform mobile app development, businesses can reuse code across different platforms, which can save time and effort on development. This is especially useful for businesses that want to build multiple apps or add new features to existing apps.
Available Frameworks
There are several popular cross-platform frameworks available for mobile app development, including Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. Most of these frameworks are open source and have been developed by tech-giants (such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft) and backed by large communities of open-source developers.
Expert opinion
All in all, cross-platform mobile app development can be a beneficial approach for businesses looking to save time, reduce costs, and reach a wider audience. While native app development may still be the best option for some businesses, cross platform mobile app development is a viable and cost-effective option for SMEs and start-ups.
— Prageeth Silva
Get in touch if you have questions or need help with developing your app. Our experienced team will find the best solution for you.
