If you have been following the tech world at all, chances are that the term “cross-platform app development” is something that has piqued your interest. But what exactly is cross-platform app development?
In recent years, cross-platform apps are increasingly becoming popular. This trend has mainly been driven by one of the most significant OS shifts in history – from desktop to mobile platforms.
But what exactly is it and why has it become so popular? In this guide we cover the aspects of developing apps for multiple platforms, including their benefits. And how you should hire a specialist to do so.
What is Cross-Platform App Development?
Cross-platform app development refers to developing apps for multiple platforms with just one codebase and programming language. This eliminates the need for developers to create unique versions of apps for different operating systems.
Therefore, “cross-platform mobile app development” or “cross-platform mobile app development” means building a mobile app that can run on multiple mobile OS, like Android, Windows and iOS.
Technology: How Does Cross-Platform App Technology Work?
Cross-Platform technology allows developers to build cross-platform apps from a single core codebase, and ensure that everything is running the way it should.
This is done by using cross-platform development frameworks that create software based on open standards.
The final product, an “cross-platform app”, will work the same across multiple devices and operating systems such as Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS etc.
Native Vs. Cross-Platform App Development: What’s the Difference?
When looking to build an app, the common app development strategies are: Native app development and cross-platform app development. There are advantages to both, but there are also some key differences in the two approaches that you should know about before deciding which one is best for your project.
In terms of cost, cross-platform app development is usually the less expensive option, as cross-platform frameworks offer a single codebase to work with.
Furthermore, cross-platform apps are more accessible because they can be downloaded and used on any operating system (e.g. iOS or Android) without having to create an entirely new version for each OS.
This flexibility of cross-platform frameworks means you have an app for any audience or demographic group without needing to develop multiple versions separately.
Native Mobile Apps
Native mobile apps are developed in the platform’s native language, such as Objective-C for iOS or Java for Android. Native apps are made to take advantage of the features and functionality offered by each mobile operating system, including touch gestures , the app store, and notifications.
Cross Platform (cross-platform) Apps
Cross-platform app development enables the developer to share a lot of code between platforms, which cuts down on time spent porting it over from one operating system to another. Some cross-platform tools even allow for native user interfaces to be built with cross-platform frameworks, which means that the user interface looks native to each platform.
Popular Cross-Platform Frameworks
In order for cross-platform app development to work, it needs a cross platform framework that will help with the process – these frameworks convert code into different formats and languages required by each device/platform without requiring developers to learn new programming languages or write separate products.
A Cross-Platform app framework generally refers to the software that developers can use as a foundation when building cross device apps.
Frameworks come with prebuilt components which are designed to work across different operating systems, so cross-platform app development becomes much easier.
Some cross-device frameworks are more popular than others, and these cross-device frameworks have a huge variety of components to choose from for users who want to build cross device apps.
A list of the most common cross platform app framework includes:
React Native
React Native is the most preferred cross-app development framework used by software developers worldwide (42% of the total respondents) according to Statista. This cross-platform app framework was developed by Facebook and lets developers use Javascript to create cross-device apps for both Android and iOS using native components.
One of the advantages of React Native over other cross platform frameworks is that it uses a single programming language (Javascript) rather than cross platform languages. Apps developed by this framework are also rendered cross-device, so they look native to each platform.
This framework is particularly suitable for projects that are cost-sensitive. It is open source and free for both commercial and non-commercial use. So, if you’re struggling with budget, we can still build you a high performance app using React Native.
Examples of Apps built with React Native Cross-Platform App Framework
- Bloomberg – News agency app.
- KFC – Fast food restaurant app.
- Instagram – Photo and Video sharing social media app
Xamarin
Xamarin is one of the most preferred frameworks for SMEs and Startups.
Examples of Apps built with Xamarin Cross-Platform App Framework
- American Cancer Society – app for a non-for-profit organisation fighting cancer.
- Novarum DX – diagnostic health app.
- UPS – UPS mobile app
Adobe Phone Gap
PhoneGap is a cross platform development framework that lets you develop cross device apps using HTML, CSS and Javascript . It can be used for both commercial and non-commercial purposes but the free version of this framework does not allow access to certain APIs.
Examples of Apps built with PhoneGap Cross-Platform App Framework
- Wikipedia – an online multilingual encyclopedia.
Ionic Framework
The Ionic framework is licensed under MIT and lets developers use programming languages like Angular.JS, React.JS, Vue.JS, or HTML5 to develop cross device apps with native look on both Android and iOS. Developers can also choose from a wide range of user interface components. One downside is that the number of third party libraries is smaller for this cross-platform development framework.
Examples of Apps built with Ionic Cross-Platform App Framework
- IBM – international computer hardware, middleware and software merchant.
- NASA – United States government agency in charge of civilian space program and research.
Flutter
Flutter is a cross-platform development framework created by Google and its the 2nd most used framework by developers. It supports both iOS and Android with full support for native applications on each platform. Flutter also has all the modern features that developers need to build connected, responsive user interfaces while retaining great performance. Third party libraries are not as developed in this cross-platform app development software but the cross-platform development framework is growing.
Flutter implements Material Design and comes with a comprehensive set of prebuilt widgets, which have been optimized for both platforms.
Due to its relative cost effectiveness and performance, Flutter is the prefered framework for building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Examples of Apps built with Flutter Cross-Platform App Framework:
- Alibaba – multinational e-commerce, retail, and technology.
- Google – multinational internet technology and marketing.
Cordova
Cordova is an open-source cross-platform, cross-browser JavaScript framework that allows you to build mobile apps using HTML and CSS. It was created by Adobe, and is sponsored by Apache.
Cordova has been used to build over one hundred thousand apps for platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry. It was originally created as a quicker way of building cross-browser web applications but it now also supports mobile devices with its new Cordova Mobile SDK.
The cross-platform Cordova framework includes the ability to access native device features such as the camera, accelerometer, and more using plugins (around a hundred of them are included in the SDK). The cross browser is based on Chromium Embedded Framework which allows developers to write one set of code that works across all browsers.
Examples of Apps built with Flutter Cross-Platform App Framework:
- FanReact – Sports fan social app.
- Pacifica – Stress and anxiety relief app.
- Sworkit – Personal fitness trainer app.
Why Should you Develop Cross-Platform Apps?
Banking on custom applications to drive business growth, many organizations have opted for cross-platform app development.
However, the question that lingers in their minds is – how can cross platform app development help my business?
Benefits of cross-platform app development cuts across a wide range of business needs, addressing challenges on different levels.
Benefits of Cross-Platform Apps
The following are advantages of cross-platform app development.
Cost and Time Savings
Cross-platform apps can be developed and deployed across multiple platforms with one code base, saving time and money. This reduces the need for separate teams to maintain each platform’s version of an application, thereby reducing operational costs.
In addition more features and enhancements are added faster because developers do not have to wait for other teams and they can work on cross-platform apps without losing momentum
Consistency and Improved User Experience
By using one cross-platform framework, you’re able to create an app that can cross both platforms and provide a seamless experience for the customer. Plus, it eliminates redundancies across channels.
Increased Revenue
Cross-platform apps result in increased revenue because of their ability to be used by customers who may not otherwise download an app due to compatibility issues between devices or operating systems. Hence expanding your revenue generating base.
Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Strategy
We have heard about cross-platform app development and its benefits. Very often the next question would arise: “Will cross-platform app development be a good solution for creation of mobile applications?”
To help you answer the above question, keep the following in mind when looking to build a cross-platform app.
Set SMART Goals
First things, first – determine what your goals for building an app are.
Your goals should be:
- Specific – to achieve that goal, you need a specific cross-platform app development framework or technology.
- Measurable – so you can measure your progress and success along the way.
- Achievable – it’s important not to set unrealistic expectations for yourself by setting too lofty of a goal.
- Realistic – cross-platform app development is a huge undertaking, with many steps and considerations. Be realistic about what you can do to make this happen!
- Timebound – set an end date for your goals so that you have closure on the project when it’s completed or consider breaking up larger goals into smaller ones.
Cross-platform development can take many forms depending on the project’s size and complexity. However, your goals should be unique to your needs and business.
Example cross-platform app development goal:
- Earn $100,000 in revenue from cross-platform apps by December 30th, 2020.
Determine a Budget
Cross-app development is comparatively cheaper compared to Native app development, as cross-app platforms only require one platform to be developed with. However, it is important you have the right amount secured for your project, which means you should put in a lot of effort to set a budget. Note: the cost of high-performing cross apps is usually higher than the cost of low-performing cross apps.
Other than the cost of building the app, you’ll require additional money to cover for things like:
- Quality assurance
- Marketing and Scaling
- Server costs for cross app services and content delivery networks to handle cross app traffic load on cloud servers
- And others.
As cross platform technology evolves, so will cross-app budgets. When setting your cross-app budget you should be aware of what expenses are expected to increase in the future as this may affect your current prediction. To help you plan your budget, our cross-platform app development team can provide you with a detailed cost breakdown for each stage of the app development – this way you can better make informed decisions and determine your scale of preference.
Decide on the type of Cross-Platform App Framework
After you’ve determined the goals you want to achieve by building a cross-platform app, the next step is to choose the cross-platform framework that will help you achieve your goals.
There is no right or wrong cross-platform app framework – selection would depend heavily on budget, available expertise, and complexity of the app you want to build. It’s important to keep in mind when choosing a cross-platform framework that the chosen framework must be able to handle all of your requirements.
For example:
Frameworks like React Native are great for businesses with limited resources and where app performance is important.
The final decision will depend heavily on your own needs so it’s best to spend a little time researching frameworks before making any decisions.
This can seem a bit technical – it is best you speak with a cross-app developer. They would be able to guide you and show you real examples from their portfolio of apps similar to what you’re looking to create.
Choose an cross-platform app developer
To bring your idea to life – a powerful cross app that ticks all the right boxes, you’ll need top developers for your app that specializes in developing cross-platform apps. There are factors you should consider before you settle for cross app developers. They include:
- A proven track record of developing cross-platform apps that are responsive for all devices, OS, and browsers. Always checkout the portfolio of cross-platform app developers before deciding which cross platform framework to use. This would give you an idea of what kind of cross-platform app development they have done, and the quality.
- An important consideration is to make sure cross platform developers are certified in their cross-platform framework of choice. This will give you an idea that they know the proper coding language for cross project development as well as experience with other languages such as Swift or Java – which can help cross-platform app developers provide higher quality apps.
- Solid knowledge of UI/UX design in order to develop a seamless experience that would not be disrupted by device/OS differences.
- They should be able to implement security measures into cross platform apps, so that they are secure from common attacks.
- Continuous support.
Create and Launch App
After you’ve hired a cross-platform app developer, the next step is for you to create and launch your cross-platform app.
The developer will need detailed requirements from you. This is for them to know which tools they’ll use during the cross-platform development process.
Once you have all this information, then the cross-platform developer can proceed to build your app
The Cross-Platform App Development Process
This is a general overview of how to build a cross-platform app:
- Plan cross-platform app development
- Research cross-platform frameworks and technologies
- Build cross-platform apps with the chosen cross platform framework or technology
- Testing and debugging: cross-platform apps need to be tested on each platform.
- Optimize cross-platform app’s code for performance and size
- Deploy cross-platform apps to different stores: iOS, Android and Windows are the three leading operating systems for mobile devices. Each store has its own set of guidelines that need to be followed before a cross platform app can be submitted as an application.
The cross platform process is relatively straightforward and well worth the investment when you have a well thought out plan in mind and an experienced app development team by your side from the start.
Analyze and Measure Results
Building the best apps is a continuous process and cross-platform apps are no exception. One of the key components to cross-platform app development is analysing and then tweaking the app to ensure your app stays ahead of its peers, we put it through a series of continuous analysis, including:
- A/B testing – This type of test compares two versions (or “variants”) of an app that are virtually identical in all aspects except for their content or design and measures which one performs better over time
- User feedback from beta testers using early versions of the product.
- Performance tests that measure the cross-platform app’s performance under specific conditions
- User surveys
- Data analysis of an app’s data to look for anomalies or any other type of problem.
- Usability tests – These are done by measuring how easy a cross platform application is to use and understand. The testing may be done remotely in an online interview, or in person by having someone use the cross-platform application.
It is crucial that during development, an app goes through a series of extensive testing and performance analysis. Solo app developers often do not have the capacity required hence the need for a cross-platform app development team for your assured peace of mind.
Cross-Platform App Development: The Future and What it Holds for Businesses
No longer are cross-platform app development and cross-device apps the preserve of big businesses. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are also benefiting from cross device app development and cross platform mobile application as a way to engage more with their customers, widen their reach in the marketplace, and optimize time spent on marketing campaigns.
Covid-19 pandemic has also brought about an increased need for mobile apps – this as well as the benefits to save time and money to ward off stiff competition together with avoiding the tedious search process for app developers over and over again, only means that the demand for cross-platform app development is set to grow.
Finally, the mobile application market is booming. So there is a huge incentive to go the mobile app route. In the end, cross-platform application development will be a key differentiator for businesses that are looking to stay ahead of the curve in terms of their reach, engagement, and optimization efforts.