Beyond native: An overview of cross-platform development

In the dynamic landscape of mobile applications, developers face the ever-growing challenge of reaching users across diverse platforms seamlessly. As the mobile ecosystem expands with iOS, Android, and emerging platforms, the necessity of cross-platform development becomes increasingly evident. This new way of doing things is changing how we create, build, and use phone apps. For companies trying to keep up with all the changes in the digital world, using cross-platform development is not just a popular choice, it's a really important strategy. It's not just something people are trying out— it’s something they need to do to stay on top of things.

What is cross-platform development?

Cross-platform development refers to the practice of creating software applications that can run on multiple platforms or operating systems. In the context of mobile app development, it typically involves writing a single codebase that can be used to deploy the application on different mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android, i.e., instead of building separate versions of an app for each platform, developers use frameworks and tools that enable them to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms.

Native vs. cross-platform development

There are various differences between native and cross-platform development, in areas such as codebase management, code reusability, performance considerations, development time, and user interface (UI) consistency.

Why cross-platform development?

Cross-platform development addresses several key needs and challenges in the field of mobile application development. Here are the primary reasons for the need for cross-platform development:

Write once, run anywhere

The “write once, run anywhere” principle is a fundamental advantage of cross-platform development. The mobile market is divided between iOS and Android, each with a significant user base. Developing separate apps for each platform can be resource-intensive and might result in missed opportunities. Cross-platform development allows businesses to reach a broader audience by deploying a single codebase on multiple platforms.This approach simplifies the development process and promotes code reusability, resulting in efficient and versatile app deployment.

Consistent user experience

Cross-platform development ensures a consistent user experience across different platforms. By using a single codebase, developers can implement uniform design patterns, navigation structures, and interactions, creating a cohesive experience for users regardless of the device or operating system they use.

Ease of maintenance

Maintaining and updating applications becomes more straightforward with cross-platform development. Changes and updates can be implemented in a centralized manner, reducing the workload on development teams. This ease of maintenance contributes to a more efficient and streamlined post-launch process.

Cost-efficient and faster development time

Creating individual native applications for both iOS and Android often incurs substantial expenses in terms of resources, time, and workforce. In contrast, cross-platform development proves cost-effective by enabling developers to craft a single codebase deployable across multiple platforms. This approach not only yields considerable cost savings but also reduces the time needed to simultaneously develop applications for iOS and Android. Consequently, it emerges as a financially prudent option for businesses, facilitating accelerated development cycles and reduced time to market.

Access to a wider range of developers

Cross-platform frameworks often allow developers with expertise in web technologies or a specific language to contribute to mobile app development. This broader talent pool can be advantageous for businesses looking to leverage the skills of developers familiar with technologies like JavaScript, which is widely used in web development.

Challenges of cross-platform development

While cross-platform development offers numerous advantages, it comes with its own set of challenges and drawbacks. Here are some major challenges associated with cross-platform development:

Performance issues

Cross-platform frameworks might introduce performance bottlenecks compared to native development, especially for graphics-intensive applications. The additional layer between the code and the native platform can result in slower execution speeds.

Limited access to native and updated features

Cross-platform frameworks might not provide immediate access to the latest native features or APIs of each platform. This limitation can be a concern for applications that rely heavily on platform-specific capabilities.

Cross-platform frameworks might have limitations in terms of functionality or flexibility. Some advanced or niche features available on specific platforms might not be fully supported or easily implemented using cross-platform tools. Furthermore, cross-platform development is dependent on updates and improvements provided by the framework. Delays in framework updates can result in a lag in adopting the latest features and security patches from the native platforms.

Debugging complexity

Debugging can be more challenging in cross-platform development because issues might arise differently on each platform. Identifying and resolving platform-specific bugs can require additional time and effort.

App store approval challenges

App store approval processes might be stricter for cross-platform apps, especially if they do not adhere closely to platform-specific design guidelines. This can lead to longer approval times or potential rejections.

Despite these challenges, advancements in cross-platform development tools and frameworks continue to address many of these drawbacks. The choice between native and cross-platform development often depends on the specific requirements, goals, and constraints of a given project.

Examples of world-class apps developed using the cross-platform frameworks

Many successful and widely used apps have been developed using cross-platform tools. Here are five examples of apps that are known to have been developed using cross-platform frameworks:

Google Ads 

Google Ads, a platform for online advertising developed by Google, has adopted Flutter for its mobile app development. Flutter allows Google Ads to create a consistent UI and experience across both iOS and Android devices.

Instagram 

Instagram, a popular social media platform for sharing photos and videos, used React Native for parts of its app development. While not entirely cross-platform, Instagram utilized cross-platform technology for specific features.

Pinterest

Pinterest, the visual discovery and bookmarking app, has incorporated Flutter into its development toolkit. Flutter helps Pinterest deliver a smooth and performant user experience on both major mobile platforms.

UberEats

UberEats, the food delivery service by Uber, has utilized the Ionic framework for its mobile app development. Ionic, based on web technologies, enables UberEats to deploy a single codebase across different platforms.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook, the email and calendar application, has been developed using Xamarin. Xamarin enables Microsoft to use C# and the .NET framework for cross-platform development, maintaining a shared codebase for both iOS and Android.

Five well-known platforms

​Here are some of the well-known cross-platform development frameworks widely used for building mobile applications:

React Native

Developed by Facebook, React Native is a popular open-source framework for building mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It enables developers to create high-performance apps with a native look and feel for both iOS and Android.

Flutter

Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit created by Google for building natively compiled applications. It uses the Dart programming language and provides a rich set of pre-designed widgets, allowing developers to create fast and visually appealing cross-platform apps.

Xamarin

Owned by Microsoft, Xamarin allows developers to use C# and the .NET framework to build cross-platform mobile apps. It provides a single codebase that can be deployed on iOS, Android, and Windows, delivering native-like performance.

PhoneGap/Cordova

Apache Cordova, often referred to as PhoneGap, is an open-source mobile development framework. It enables developers to use various web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build cross-platform mobile apps. PhoneGap provides a bridge between web views and native device features.

Ionic

Ionic is a framework for building cross-platform mobile applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/TypeScript. It uses Angular as its primary JavaScript framework and provides a library of pre-built UI components for creating visually appealing apps.

How to select the right platform for the right application

Choosing the appropriate cross-platform development framework for the project is a pivotal decision. This selection significantly influences the development process and the overall success of the application. For instance, choosing a specific cross-platform framework might result in vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to a different framework or revert to a native development in the future. Businesses need to carefully consider the long-term implications of this decision. Here's a quick guide to help you make an informed decision:

Define project requirements

Clearly define your project requirements, including features, performance expectations, and platform support. Different cross-platform frameworks have varying strengths and limitations, so understanding your project's needs is crucial.

Consider development skills

Evaluate the existing skills within your development team. If your team is proficient in a particular language or framework, it might influence your choice. For example, if your team has expertise in JavaScript, frameworks like React Native or Ionic might be more suitable.

Platform support

• Consider the platforms you need to support (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.). Ensure that the chosen framework supports all the target platforms, and check for any platform-specific limitations or features that might impact your project.

• Evaluate the size and activity of the community around the framework. A strong community often means better support, more third-party plugins, and a wealth of resources. Consider checking forums, GitHub repositories, and community engagement.

• Moreover, consider the long-term support and update plans for the framework. Regular updates and support from the development team contribute to the framework's stability and reliability.

Performance requirements

Assess the performance requirements of your application. Some frameworks, like Flutter, are known for high performance and smooth animations, while others might have some performance trade-offs. Consider whether your app requires resource-intensive tasks or demanding graphics.

Flexibility and customization

Assess the level of flexibility and customization required for your project. Some frameworks, like Xamarin, might offer more control over the native components, while others prioritize ease of use and rapid development.

Cost considerations

Assess the costs associated with licensing, development, and maintenance. Some frameworks are open-source, while others might have licensing fees. Factor in development time, as frameworks that allow faster development might reduce overall costs.

Conclusion and next steps

As the digital landscape evolves, cross-platform development offers efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined maintenance. With a deeper understanding, developers and businesses can navigate mobile app development's crossroads confidently. Efficiently selecting the right platform for your next project involves considering different factors, such as project requirements, development skills, platform support, performance, community and ecosystem, and long-term considerations. By weighing these factors and leveraging educational resources, developers can make informed decisions and embark on successful cross-platform development journeys.

For those new to cross-platform development, it's crucial to explore popular platforms such as React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and Ionic. Educative offers curated courses and learning paths tailored to mastering these frameworks, providing beginners with the necessary skills to excel in the field. You can check out the following courses on Educative.