Quick Guide to Cross-Platform App Development

Cross-platform mobile apps development is a practice to create apps that can be used on different operating systems. In this, an app is developed first as a single source code which is then compiled into respective native codes for various operating systems.

Often the topic of native apps versus cross-platform apps starts a debate which is never-ending. Each platform has their own benefits which are best utilized via native apps but developing apps for each platform is hectic and thus cross-platform apps are preferred options.

If developed properly, cross-platform apps do not let the need of native apps be present. We will be covering benefits as well as downsides of using cross-platform apps over native apps along with if you need native apps or whether cross-platform apps suits your needs in a better way.

Benefits of Cross-Platform App Development

There are numerous benefits when it comes choosing hybrid apps over native ones.

1. The very first thing that makes people prefers cross-platform mobile apps development over developing native apps is less cost and time involved in their development.
2. With this, you can serve the users of multiple platforms thus ensuring a wide consumer base.
3. With so many cross-platform development tools available each of them brings a set of extra features with them. As such, with them, you can utilize their extra benefits and make your app stand out amongst others.

Downsides Of Cross-Platform App Development

With everything that’s good, comes a bit of issue as well. Cross-platform apps are no exception.

1. Due to the vast differences in user interfaces and functionality of each platform, makes it challenging to have one code meet all demands. Some tools allow you to develop user interface code for each platform; the time involved takes away the main advantage that this technique offers.
2. With so many updates rolling out on such a frequent basis, your app might lag behind in catching up with them. Hybrid apps development frameworks do not do so well when it comes to providing support for the latest update.
3. Various tools for cross development of apps not only bring a unique set of distinctive features with them but they also bring each of their own limitations as well. Depending on the tool you are using it might be even more effort taking and time-consuming if you don’t use it properly.

How To Decide On Cross-Platform Mobile Apps Development vs Native App Development?

Before you decide on choosing which is better for your needs, you need to decide on a few things and accordingly, you can choose which to go with. Each has their own advantages as well as disadvantages. Select the one which serves best your needs.

You can decide based on a few crucial factors and deciding upon which things are more important for you as compared to others.

1. Decide your schedule ahead of launch. If you are thinking of launching your app for all the platforms simultaneously then hybrid apps come first preference. Though if you decide to launch iOS version first then you can go with native apps as the iOS apps are developed in swift language which is easy to use and quick. On the other side, if you decide to launch Android version first then select hybrid apps. Android apps are developed in Java and are complex and take time.
2. Decide your costing. Cross-platform apps may seem cheaper in the start but at later stages, they may cost more as the team needed is much more skilled and experienced as well as the frameworks are relatively new. However, on a long-term basis such as continuous updates release hybrid apps save a lot more as only one code base is needed to be updated over the time.
3. Depending on the set of features that you intend to provide and the level of customization you are going to need, you can choose the hybrid over native if simplicity is your motto. Otherwise, go with native apps as they can integrate great functions with full access to device hardware and OS features and services.
4. If you need to reach a larger audience over different platforms then hybrid apps are better suited for your needs else you can go with native apps on your desired platform.

Think long term, at present you may not need a great app with complex features and visual appeal but over the time your needs may change and in that scenario, matching your demands for cross-platform apps will be a big hurdle.

Depending on the above factors, you can go with either as per your requirements. Be careful while evaluating as apps today.