Cross-platform mobile app development uses a single codebase to create apps for multiple operating systems, like iOS and Android, unlike native app development, which requires separate codebases for each platform.
This approach reduces development time and cost, enables reusable code, allows simultaneous deployment, ensures unified updates, and delivers a consistent user experience across devices.
This guide delves into cross-platform app development, its benefits, how it differs from native development, tools and frameworks, and more.
What is a Cross Platform Mobile App?
A cross-platform mobile app is an application that is developed to work on multiple mobile operating systems, such as Android and iOS, using a single codebase. Cross-platform mobile apps can be developed using different frameworks or technologies, such as React Native, Xamarin, Flutter, and others.
Read More: How to build Cross-Platform Mobile Apps
Difference between Native and Cross Platform Mobile App Development
Native development involves building separate apps for each platform using platform-specific languages (for example, Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android). It offers high performance and access to all native device features.
Cross-platform development uses a unified codebase to create apps for multiple platforms. Frameworks like Flutter and React Native enable cross-platform capabilities but may slightly compromise performance compared to native apps.
Here are the core differences between Native and Cross Platform Mobile App Development:
| Criteria | Native App Development | Cross Platform App Development |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Language for Development | Native Android App Development uses Java or Kotlin. While iOS development uses Objective-C or Swift. | Cross Platform App Development uses platform agnostic languages such as Dart, C#, JavaScript |
| Frameworks for App Development | It requires native SDKs and IDEs such as Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA for Android and XCode and AppCode for iOS | Popular frameworks used for Cross Platform App Development are Flutter, Xamarin, Cordova, React Native, etc. |
| Cost | Native App Development is costly. | It is cost-effective. |
| Code Reusability | Code cannot be reused | It supports code reusability. Same codebase is used across multiple platforms |
| Performance | Native apps are faster. Compiling happens using the platform’s core programming language and APIs which makes it more responsive and faster | Cross Platform apps have additional layer of computation, which makes them slightly slower than native apps |
| Access to new features | SDK offers early access to new features | While you have to wait for a separate update to access the new features |
Benefits of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Here are the benefits of having Cross-Platform Mobile App Development:
- Mobile App for Multiple Platforms: The most significant benefit of building on a cross-platform framework is that the output of the development process can be used on multiple platforms. This approach is best suited where business functionality is straightforward and a short time to market is the goal.
- Reduced Development Cost: In a typical scenario, a tech product will need three separate development workflows – web, Android, and iOS. A cross-platform framework can bring down the required effort to less than half.
- Agile Development Process: Understandably, the development process will consume fewer human hours when a single code base is used. The flexibility of choosing between native, web, and hybrid allows for optimizing development loads across sub-teams. i.e. CPU-heavy or gaming applications will require more native development and optimization than an e-commerce app.
- Simpler Code Maintenance & Usability: Having one code base for multiple platforms means that when it comes time to add or remove functionality from the application, only one set of updates is sufficient for updating the application across platforms. Also, having a single codebase to perform testing means you don’t have to worry about scaling your testing efforts too much horizontally. You can instead focus on test case prioritization.
- Easy Cloud Integration: Since this is a relatively recent phenomenon, the tools and platforms for cross-platform development are built keeping in mind the tech trends of the day, which means most of these platforms support modern development methodologies like CI/CD, automation, cloud-based deployments, visualizations, etc. With cloud-based testing platforms like BrowserStack Automate and App Automate, you get a highly configurable and modernized workflow, weaving DevOps and QAOps into an integrated setup.
- Faster Time-to-Market and Customize: Because these platforms are built with the whole pipeline of mobile application development in mind, they come with tools, features, and extensions that support responsiveness, performance, and security—making the process more streamlined and efficient—resulting in a further reduction in the time to market for the product.
- Uniform Design: Although hard to achieve in some cases, the design output of cross-platform development can be consistent and effective. Responsive design principles are incorporated into the essence of the program, using the hierarchy of components and micro-services to break down functionality at the front and back end, respectively.
Various frameworks are available for cross-platform mobile app development, which we will discuss further in this article.
Also Read: How to approach Cross Platform Testing
Popular Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
Most popular cross-platform frameworks utilize a single code base to generate apps for different platforms. This means you must code on the programming framework supported by the platform of your choice. Since translating one code base into multiple applications is not a trivial task, many popular options have their advantages and disadvantages regarding comparison.
Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
- Xamarin
- React Native
- Flutter
- Cordova
- Ionic
- Unity
- NativeScript
- Framework7
- Xamarin
- Sencha Ext JS
Here are some cross-platform app development frameworks:
1. Xamarin
Xamarin is an open-source, cross-platform app development framework owned by Microsoft. It is used for creating native cross-platform apps for Android, iOS, and Windows using C# and . NET. Xamarin apps are built using native user interface controls and provide a high-performance user experience.
Famous examples include apps for Fox Sports, Alaska Airlines, HCL, American Cancer Society, and BBC Good Food.
| Pros of Xamarin | Cons of Xamarin |
| Xamarin uses C# for coding, which works seamlessly for Android and iOS. | Xamarin is free for individuals and startups; however, enterprises must buy a license for Microsoft’s Visual Studio. |
| Has a strong community of over 60,000 contributors from more than 3,700 companies. | It is not recommended for apps that demand heavy graphics because each platform has a different method for visually laying out screens. |
| Allows for sharing more than 75% of code across platforms for “write once, run anywhere” ease. | Offers limited access to certain important libraries that the app developers need for mobile app development. |
| It consists of a single tech stack for faster development. | There is a decent overhead owing to the various layers and wrapping mechanisms used by the Xamarin engine. |
Learn More: Running Appium tests on C#
2. React Native
React Native is an open-source, cross-platform app development framework owned by Meta (prev Facebook). It is used for creating native cross-platform apps for Android, iOS, and Windows using JavaScript and TypeScript (a strongly-typed version of JS).
React Native and Xamarin are at the top regarding user adoption and popularity.
Instagram, Bloomberg, Pinterest, Skype, and Tesla are popular apps built on React Native.
| Pros of React Native | Cons of React Native |
| Up to 80% of a codebase can be shared across platforms, depending on the app’s complexity. Code reusability significantly speeds the development process. | React Native is not entirely a cross-platform app framework. To use some functions as a camera or accelerometer, there is still a need to use native components meaning there will be a separate code for Android and iOS. |
| Allows for previewing results right away and offers ready-to-apply elements, thus shortening the developing time considerably | Since the framework is not built in conjunction with iOS or Android, it sometimes lags behind the native platforms. This is one of the reasons that led Udacity to stop investing in React Native for new features. |
| The Hot Reloading feature enables developers to see changes made in code within seconds, not minutes, like when using native technologies. | React Native lacks consistency when it comes to releasing updates
|
| React Native focuses on UI to a great extent rendering a highly responsive interface | React Native improves the speed of development but also increases the duration of the debugging process, especially on Android |
Follow-Up Read: How to Test React Native Apps on iOS and Android Devices
3. Flutter
Flutter is an open-source cross-platform app development framework owned by Google. It is used for creating native cross-platform apps for Android, iOS, and Windows using Dart. Some examples are Alibaba, BMW, Google Ads, and Tencent.
Many ready-made solutions for native apps enable developers to work with Continuous Integration platforms like Travis and Jenkins.
| Pros of Flutter | Cons of Flutter |
| Hot Reloading feature enables developers to see changes made in code within seconds instead of minutes. | There is limited support with apps built on the Flutter framework like smart TVs and some popular third-party plug-ins. |
| Flutter is based on Dart, an object-oriented programming language that developers have found rather easy to acquire the skill for and is almost twice as fast as JS. | There are several libraries with ready-to-implement functionalities; however, Flutter still lacks when compared to native development because most native APIs cannot be accessed. |
| Flutter has a full set of widgets in Google’s Material Design and in Apple’s style with the Cupertino pack to help with the UI design implementation. | Since Flutter-enabled apps use built-in widgets, not platform widgets, the app’s size is usually bigger. |
Read More: How to run integration tests on Flutter apps
4. Cordova
The Cordova platform by Apache is a tool that can be used to create mobile applications for s Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc., using CSS3 and HTML5 for rendering and JavaScript for logic.
It provides access to device-specific functions through JavaScript APIs so that developers can build apps using web technology instead of the native programming languages of each operating system (Java or Objective C). Since it uses web technologies, debugging is relatively easier.
| Pros of Cordova | Cons of Cordova |
| Cordova is an open-source platform that is free to use and distribute. | It is hard to avoid platform-specific quirks, which may or may not lead to bugs in the final application. |
| It can be used to build apps for all the major and some discontinued mobile platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Firefox OS, Bada, and Tizen. | There is some grey area around functions being invoked by remote HTML. This adds to the widespread concerns over security as JavaScript allows for the manipulation of functional code during sessions. |
| Supports the use of many libraries, including Single Page Application (SPA) development frameworks like React, Vue, Angular, etc. | Adobe earlier owned it under the title phone gap; later, it was acquired by Apache and renamed Cordova. The transition might not be smooth, and some plug-ins have gaps in documentation and support. |
5. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source framework designed for building cross-platform apps using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It allows developers to create hybrid apps with a single codebase and supports frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.js. Examples include MarketWatch and McDonald’s.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich library of pre-designed UI components accelerates development. | Relies on WebView, which can result in performance lags for resource-intensive apps. |
| Integration with native plugins for device features like camera and GPS. | UI/UX may feel inconsistent compared to fully native applications. |
| Supports Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and hybrid apps for flexibility in deployment. | Limited performance for applications with heavy graphics or CPU demands. |
6. Unity
Unity is a powerful cross-platform development engine used primarily for creating 2D and 3D games, as well as AR and VR applications. Popular apps built with Unity include Pokémon Go and Monument Valley.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent support for 2D/3D graphics and physics-based rendering. | Not suitable for simple apps or non-interactive interfaces. |
| Extensive asset store and plugins enhance development productivity. | Requires specialized skills in C# and graphics modeling. |
| Multiplatform support, including gaming consoles, AR/VR devices, and mobile platforms. | Larger file sizes and higher memory consumption for non-gaming applications. |
7. NativeScript
NativeScript is an open-source framework that enables the creation of truly native apps using JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular. It offers direct access to native APIs without the need for additional plugins.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct access to native APIs ensures high performance and full device integration. | Smaller community and fewer resources compared to other frameworks like Flutter or React Native. |
| Simplified development for feature-rich native applications. | Limited pre-built UI components and libraries compared to other frameworks. |
| Supports integration with Angular, Vue.js, and plain JavaScript for flexibility. | Steeper learning curve for developers unfamiliar with TypeScript or Angular. |
8. Framework7
Framework7 is an open-source framework for building hybrid mobile apps and web apps with a native-like look and feel. It is often used in combination with Vue.js or React.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pre-designed UI components provide a native-like experience. | Limited scalability for large or complex applications. |
| Works well with Vue.js and React for enhanced development flexibility. | Heavily reliant on web technologies, leading to performance limitations in some scenarios. |
| Simplifies hybrid app development with responsive UI and seamless animations. | Smaller community compared to mainstream frameworks. |
9. Xamarin
Xamarin is a Microsoft-supported framework that uses C# to develop native apps with a single codebase for iOS, Android, and Windows. It is widely adopted for enterprise-grade applications.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Single C# codebase ensures efficient development for multiple platforms. | Larger app sizes compared to purely native apps. |
| Seamless integration with Microsoft tools like Visual Studio. | Performance slightly lags behind native apps for highly demanding use cases. |
| Access to native APIs and platform-specific tools for customization. | Requires a Windows environment for certain tasks, limiting flexibility for non-Windows developers. |
10. Sencha Ext JS
Sencha Ext JS is an enterprise-grade JavaScript framework designed for building cross-platform mobile and web applications with robust UI components and advanced data visualization.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Over 140 pre-built UI components simplify complex UI development. | Steeper learning curve due to its enterprise focus and comprehensive features. |
| Advanced data visualization tools make it ideal for data-heavy applications. | Licensing costs can be high, making it less accessible for small projects. |
| Excellent for enterprise-grade applications requiring complex workflows. | Limited community support compared to open-source frameworks. |
Tools and Frameworks to test Cross-Platform Apps
Testing is crucial to ensure a consistent and seamless user experience. Here are some of the top tools and frameworks to test cross-platform applications:
- BrowserStack App Live
BrowserStack App Live helps you test your cross platform app manually on real Android and iOS devices of different OS versions. It allows you to test under real user conditions and use features like biometric authentication, IP geolocation testing, network simulation, etc. - BrowserStack App Automate
BrowserStack App Automate allows you to automate testing of your cross platform app on real Android and iOS devices. It allows you to test over different OS versions and device combinations, under real user conditions and on native features like Camera Injection, Network Simulation, etc. - Appium
Appium allows you to test cross platform mobile apps as it supports both Android and iOS platforms. You can also run multiple tests in parallel using Appium Grid. It supports testing both Native and Hybrid apps. - Selenium
Selenium apart from testing web applications, also supports mobile automation testing. It supports different programming languages, such as Java, Python, C#, and JavaScript.
Challenges in Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Here are some of the core challenges faced in cross-platform mobile app development:
- Performance Limitations: May not match the speed and efficiency of native apps.
- Platform-Specific Features: Limited access to some native functionalities.
- UI/UX Consistency: Achieving a seamless look and feel across platforms can be challenging.
- Debugging Complexity: Issues are harder to trace due to the abstraction layers.
- Framework Dependency: Reliance on third-party frameworks that may have limited support or updates.
- Integration Issues: Difficulties integrating with native libraries or platform-specific services.
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Closing Notes
With a streamlined application development process, it is natural to expect the testing infrastructure to have effective features and robust capabilities. Automation is among the top priorities for all QA teams.
With mobile app development cross platform and testing them on such a wide range of test environments, you can recreate real user scenarios and device experiences.
- You can adjust real-world variables like network conditions and geo-location.
- Test accessibility features like navigability and screen readers.
- You can test notifications on devices.
- Also, access the developer tools section of browsers on various operating systems.
Analysis and data visualization are the two post-testing activities that will help you understand, arrange, document, and visualize what happened during the test runs. Plus, it records the application behavior if captured efficiently in visual formats.
Once you have achieved a healthy level of collaboration with the business teams on analyzing the results of the various levels of testing, you can make the most sound decisions for the future of your cross-platform mobile apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do cross-platform mobile apps differ from native apps in terms of performance and user experience?
Cross-platform mobile apps may have slightly lower performance than native apps, as they rely on a single codebase that has to work on multiple platforms. However, advances in cross-platform development frameworks have made it possible to develop apps that can match the performance of native apps.
User experience can also be slightly different, as the UI may need to be adapted to work well on different platforms.
2. What is a cross platform mobile framework?
A cross-platform mobile framework is a tool or set of tools that allows developers to create mobile applications that can run on multiple operating systems. These frameworks provide a common codebase that can be used to build applications for both iOS and Android, as well as other platforms like Windows and Linux. Examples of popular cross-platform mobile frameworks include React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, Ionic, and PhoneGap.
These frameworks typically allow developers to write code in a single language, such as JavaScript or Dart, and then translate that code to native code for each platform, providing a consistent user experience across multiple devices and operating systems.
3.What is cross platform testing?
Cross platform testing is a type of software testing where the compatibility of an application is tested on different platforms, devices, and browsers. It is a testing process that ensures that an application functions as intended on various operating systems, hardware, and software configurations.
4. Why is cross platform testing important?
Cross-platform testing is important because it helps to ensure that an application is functional, reliable, and delivers a consistent user experience across multiple platforms. It also helps to identify any compatibility issues that may arise due to differences in hardware, software, or operating systems.
This type of testing is crucial for mobile applications, which must work on various devices and operating systems to succeed.
5. What is cross-platform with example?
Cross-platform refers to software or applications that can run on multiple operating systems or platforms. For example, a cross-platform mobile app developed using React Native or Flutter can be used on both iOS and Android devices, while a cross-platform desktop application developed using Electron can be used on both Windows and macOS.
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