Cross-platform mobile development allows you to develop mobile apps that work on multiple mobile platforms simultaneously. Since these types of applications don’t need to be redeveloped every time the operating system gets an update, they can be more efficient than native applications, saving both time and money. However, there are many factors to consider before choosing cross-platform or native development, so this article will focus on the pros and cons of each development style. Read on to learn more about cross-platform development vs native development!
Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform mobile development combines different programming languages and tools to make an app that can run on multiple platforms (e.g., iOS, Android, Windows) without having to rewrite code each time. The pros are great for small business owners because it reduces development costs, especially if you’re short on cash.
Cross-Platform Limitations
Whether you’re opting for cross-platform development or native, you’ll run into limitations when it comes to features and graphics. For example, Apple doesn’t allow third-party apps in its App Store that are written for Android or other operating systems, which means that there are certain apps you can write using Xamarin that will never be available to iOS users—and vice versa.
Cross-Platform Benefits
It is clear that cross-platform development has many benefits. The most important is that it allows you to reach a larger number of customers using fewer resources. There are more devices out there than ever before, so getting your app onto one platform won’t do much for you—getting your app on every device is what will make an impact.
Native Development
The Pros of Having a Native App If you’re building a truly unique application, you’ll want to build native apps. A native app will always look and feel like it belongs on that platform, whereas cross-platform apps are generally more limited in what they can accomplish. You can also usually reach more users using native applications if your target audience uses only one type of mobile device.
Native Development Limitations
As you begin developing a mobile app, one of your first questions is whether you should develop for multiple platforms or just focus on one. This question is largely based on what type of developer you are and what hardware platform you want to target. For instance, if you’re an iOS specialist, creating a cross-platform app might not be ideal because it forces you to adopt languages and frameworks that may not be in your wheelhouse.
Native Development benefits
In native development, an application is written to work only on a specific operating system. In other words, if you build a native app for iOS, it can’t be used on Android or vice versa. However, when you develop in one programming language that is supported by multiple mobile operating systems—such as HTML5—you can develop apps for multiple platforms at once.
Conclusion
Many factors go into choosing between developing an app for multiple platforms or developing for just one. If your company has specific needs, you should work with a development team to determine the best for you. Cross platform mobile development may offer several benefits, but there are also some drawbacks, so it’s important to know all of the options before making a decision.