Top 5 Cross Platform Mobile App Development Tools to Use in 2021
The mobile device trend has also driven substantial app development growth. Every business is incomplete without a proper mobile application integration. However, a high-quality application also matters a lot and mobile app development frameworks make it possible.
Developers like to choose cross-platform mobile app development that helps in time-saving. It makes their work easy because a single code application can be run on multiple platforms. Therefore, the developer seeks cross-platform app development tools.
Best cross platform mobile app development Frameworks
1. Flutter
It is an open-source framework from Google. Flutter is an excellent framework for developing iOS and Android apps using a single codebase. Most of the developers like to use this framework to develop stunning apps with speed.
- Google develop Flutter in the year 2017
- It uses Dart language to develop iOS, Mac and Android from a single codebase
- The latest version of Flutter is 1.22.6
- Flutter engine, Dart platform, foundation library and design specific widgets are the main components of this framework.
- Flutter is the best suitable for start-up
- It is an open-source and free cross-platform framework
Pros
- Flutter is simple to learn and debug as well
- It has a full set of widgets in Google’s Material Design
- Developers can smoothly check the changes made in the code through its Hot Reload feature.
Cons
- Hot reload feature only works with Dart, and Dart is a less popular programming language.
- Flutter is supporting all the devices
- Flutter apps are bigger
- It’s a new framework in the market. Therefore you will find fewer experts in the market.
Also read: React 18 Features
Popular Flutter Apps
- Hamilton
- Lunching
- Google Ads
- Pairing
2. PhoneGap
PhoneGap is one of the open source cross-platform mobile app development frameworks that make it possible to develop code without any problem. Developers can use multiple languages without any hardware restrictions. Adobe introduced PhoneGap that offers cloud-based solutions through which developers can directly make the app in the platform.
PhoneGap is the best suitable framework to develop a simple mobile app with a native look. It will also save some cost of development which is another benefit to the company
Additional Facts
- HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Java, C, C#, C++ and HTML5 are some of the popular languages of this framework.
- It is an open-source cross-platform framework with Apache License 2.0
- The latest version of PhoneGap is 10.0.0 released on 4th August 2020
- It allows the mobile app developers to get access to Native APIs
Cons
- PhoneGap is not suitable for an app that has a large number of graphic elements
- It is not suitable for gaming apps
- Plugins that have hooks are not supportable
- Descriptive documentation is not available in it
Popular PhoneGap Apps
- Paylution
- Health Tap
- Wikipedia
- TripCase
- The DHS Program
Read about: Best React libraries in 2021
3. Xamarin
Xamarin is mostly useful for developing cross-platform yet native apps for Android, iOS and Windows. It backs up iOS and Android apps with the help of C# bindings to native Android and iOS APIs. It uses a single codebase that results in the fast development of mobile apps across all platforms.
Additional Facts
- The latest version of Xamarin is 5.0 Release 3
- It shares 90% of the code over the major platforms
- Xamarin supports Apple wearable and Android
- It allows the mobile app developers to get access to Native APIs
Pros
- It offers an optimal user experience
- It eliminates the hardware compatibility issues and can work with common devices across the platforms.
- People can develop technical skills because there are a lot of learning resources available on Xamarin.
- It supports portable versions for many platforms for wearable, IoT and wearables.
- Due to its cross-platform nature, the maintenance and updates in Xamarin are easier.
Cons
- The Xamarin apps are large as compared to other Native counterparts
- The basic knowledge of native languages is required
- It offers limited access to open-source libraries
- There are compatibility issues with third-party tools and libraries
Popular Xamarin Apps
- Storyo
- Ora
- Captio
- MRW
- The World Bank
4. Ionic
Ionic is the best suit for those who are looking for faster development for business applications. It is one of the mobile app development frameworks that carry the latest components and huge library tools present. There are few iOS and Android design elements available in Ionic that allow building native hybrid apps and also progressive web applications.
Additional Facts
- It was known by Ben Sperry, Max Lynch and Adam Bradley of Drifty Co in 2013
- Ionic was built on Apache Cordova and AngularJS
- It uses front end technologies like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Angular
- Its extreme use is in developing native apps and PWAs
Pros
- Ionic is fully supportable to the browser and beneficial for entrepreneurs and developers.
- It offers a wide range of UI components and plugins that enhance the Ionic expert's productivity.
- There are a lot of native plugins through which developers get access to native device APIs.
- Ionic helps in developing a mobile app in less time for both platforms.
Create a logo that enables consumers to quickly recognize your company and use it consistently across all of your platforms.
- There are unstable native plugins.
- Apps with huge animations and graphics are not suitable for Ionic development.
- Debugging is difficult with Ionic Framework.
Popular Ionic Apps
- Sworkit
- Pacifica
- MarketWatch
- Diesel
5) React Native
React Native was developed and maintained by Facebook. One can seamlessly develop an Android or iOS mobile app. Some of the best examples of React native are Skype, Tesla, Airbnb and Amazon Prime. The popularity of React Native is all due to faster development and deployment. The third-party integration, reusable components and component-based GUI development are the other features of this tool. React Native is a popular one in the list of mobile app development frameworks.
Additional Facts
- It was officially released by Facebook in the year 2015
- Its latest version is 0.63
- Android, Android TV, C++, Java, JavaScript, Objective C and Python programming languages are highly supportable in it.
- Native like experience is more stable in it.
Pros
- Setup is easy
- Hot/Live reloading feature is available
- The development cost is low
- Highly supported by external tools
- There is seamless integration with native app
- Simplified usage of styling components
Cons
- It requires documentation upgrade
- Sometimes React Native is slower than its native counterparts
- Apps build on React Native face slow testing time
- The new solution is required to develop from scratch
- Debugging is arduous due to Objective C, Java, JavaScript, C and C++
Popular React Native Apps
- Artsy
Is Cross-Platform better than Native Development?
It’s an endless debate because both technologies are valuable for developers. Cross-platform app development has some advantages and disadvantages over Native app development. It offers one app for multiple platforms and low development costs that are not possible in native development.
However, Native offers hardware accessibility, consistent and native performance which is not possible in cross-platform development.
Last Word
These were the main mobile app development frameworks helpful for developers. In the mobile market, cross-platform app development is a fabulous choice from start-ups to big enterprises. It gives new direction in the development world and gains popularity in the market. Every framework is not suitable for every project. This is why; you must connect with the right mobile app development company. With the righteous selection of the framework, you can accelerate your business through great application.
However, Native offers hardware accessibility, consistent and native performance which is not possible in cross-platform development.
