With the wide range of smartphone and tablet screen resolutions, hardware features, configurations, and operating systems, a single-platform native app approach will result in a loss of audience on different other platforms.
As a result, alternative cross-platform development is becoming more popular. It provides a single-codebase app with cross-platform compatibility, which reduces the development time and expenses required by developing separate native apps for each platform.
In this blog, let’s understand cross-platform development and its pros and cons. So, let’s get this conversation started!
Understanding Cross-Platform App Development
Cross-platform mobile app development (which is also referred to as hybrid mobile app development) is a software development method that enables you to create a mobile app that operates across both leading mobile operating systems and platforms—Android and iOS.
A cross-platform app framework enables you to create apps for both operating systems from a single codebase. This method will assist you to reduce time and boost production.
Pros of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
In this section, we will discuss the pros of cross-platform mobile app development.
1.Faster Development
Using cross-platform solutions, developers typically work with a single codebase that covers both iOS and Android, eliminating the need to create multiple Android and iOS projects.
Cross-platform apps are created as a single project yet support multiple devices. Because it is feasible to reuse a large portion of an app’s code across platforms, development is substantially faster.
2.Wider Market Reach
When it comes to mobile app development, many organizations split between Android and iOS, the two major operating systems in terms of market share. Choosing one would result in the loss of the audience for the other.
With increased smartphone adoption, a cross-platform compatible app could appeal to a larger potential customer base and a wider demographic.
3.Reusable Code
A single code base eliminates redundant coding processes and allows for speedier development than designing platform-specific applications. According to a top Android app development company, for support on every mobile device, you don’t have to create native code for each OS and learn a slew of development tools.
A reusable code base also allows you to resolve errors and make upgrades across multiple platforms at the same time, rather than handling it individually for each platform. Utilizing the source code minimizes development effort and eventually lowers project costs.
4. Lower Cost
Cross-platform development is 30% less expensive than developing apps for each Android and iOS platform separately. There is no need for separate development teams with specialized talents and an understanding of coding languages or technologies. Just a single project and codebase are sufficient to complete the task.
Businesses could distribute their general app on additional platforms such as the App Store and Google Play Market without having to invest in an additional native app.
5.Greater Brand Consistency
Developing distinct iOS and Android apps raises the effort required to keep your brand and product-looking and feeling consistent.
Cross-platform mobile app development allows you to build a uniform brand image and consumer experience more quickly and easily. Because of platform variations, navigation will differ on each operating system, but the whole experience and brand image will remain consistent and predictable.
Ensuring greater brand consistency conveys to users that your company is genuine and trustworthy.
6. Maintenance and Updates
To upgrade the end digital product for native applications, you must make code modifications for both Android and iOS projects.
Cross-platform development is substantially simpler and more rapid as modifications are produced in a single multi-platform code and all changes synchronize so you can see it reflected throughout all platforms instantly.
When compared with native development, cross-platform app development saves not just on development costs but also on maintenance, bug fixing, and code modifications based on usage information and input in the latter stages.
7.Simple Prototyping
To evaluate business concepts and showcase ideas to stakeholders, a cross-platform mobile app can be created as an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or prototype.
Because development costs less than native development and provides a wider market reach, companies can prevent risks early on. Also, launching a complete app will not take much longer, boosting revenue potential.
Cons of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Now, let’s discuss the cons of cross-platform mobile app development
1.Poor UI/UX Design Quality
Native apps include all of the platform’s UX/UI elements. They are capable of taking benefit of all the built-in features of iOS and Android because they employ different codes for each.
As per the custom iOS app development services provider, cross-platform development utilizes a single codebase for both platforms, restricting developers’ capability. Because they cannot access all of the functionality offered by mobile devices, the user experience may suffer.
It is not always the case that the application may not require the functionalities you are unable to access. However, if it is, it may be advantageous to create separate native apps.
2. Lower Performance
One of the most crucial aspects of an app is its performance. It relies on a variety of aspects, but in broad terms, if you evaluate two applications, one native and one cross-platform, with identical functionalities, the native one will be considerably faster.
However, these performance changes are generally minor, especially in basic applications.
3. Higher Rate Of Rejection
Google Play and the App Store have strong performance and user experience standards. Because of performance and user experience issues, many cross-platform programs struggle to fulfill these standards and are consequently removed from these platforms.
4. Update Lag
When an operating system introduces new functionality, it may not be instantly accessible on the cross-platform framework you utilize.
You won’t be able to use the new features till the framework is upgraded. This may irritate your users, who frequently anticipate immediate satisfaction with new upgrades and feature releases.
5.Code Loss
Numerous cross-platform app development frameworks restrict your code in a project so that it can only be accessible from a certain platform. There is a possibility of code loss when migrating to a different platform.
Summing Up
With cross-platform app development getting momentum in the mobile app development sector, a mobile-first strategy would be a better alternative.
By eliminating a time-consuming development procedure, one can redirect their energies to product innovation and produce value for their consumers. It would eventually boost long-term earnings. So, don’t put it off any longer and contact the top mobile app development company for your cross-platform mobile app development.