Transformation can’t define the magic bandwagon of smartphones & apps. Because it is a kind of revolution that changes the way businesses function and how people interact and live their lives. Succinctly, this technology or tool allows you to go through ordinary day-to-day activities with ease and remove the scope of intrinsic human errors. Needless to mention, you can do this by using mobile apps.
Now, it comes to mobile app platforms. There was a time when developers tended to develop native apps, which are still somehow relevant in some scenarios. But for now, Cross-platform mobile app development tools are getting more traction over other types of development tools.
Before getting into the discussion about the best cross-platform mobile app development tools, it is quintessential to understand what cross-platform development is all about and why mobile app development companies need to switch on it.
What is Cross-Platform App Development?
It simply refers to developing a single app that works equally efficiently on different mobile platforms.
This ability can be achieved by using a universal programming language, such as JavaScript for React Native, and Dart for Flutter.
Furthermore, cross-platform mobile app development tools reduce the cost of development time and limit the no of resources while increasing mobile apps’ efficiency and performance.
Why choose Cross-platform for your next app development project?
Today employee management or even day-to-day affairs are managed by mobile apps. So developing apps are quintessential to survive in this digital ecosystem. But the real problem is to integrate various devices and platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows.
This issue gave impetus to the need for cross-platform applications. A cross-app platform app can function equally efficiently on multiple devices across multiple platforms. Some of the approaches are:
- Hybrid apps
- Rapid mobile app development
- Windows universal apps
- Progressive web apps
Furthermore, cross-platform apps outsmart native apps in various aspects of functioning.
Now without much ado, it is time to discuss the best cross-platform app development tools.
To make your choice easy, we have clubbed the 5 best cross-platform development tools for 2021 and their attributes. Now, let’s put them one by one.
1. JQuery Framework
JQuery Framework may make developing extremely sophisticated and complicated apps simple. As a result, developers all around the globe utilize this cross-platform to create HTML5 mobile applications that work on the newest iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, and other devices.
JQuery Framework-based applications are simple to use and aid consumers from start to finish. As a result, key companies like Facebook, WordPress, Google, and IBM employ this platform.
- Compatible with iOS, Android, WebOS, Symbian, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, and other major mobile systems.
- It’s simple to SEO-optimize an app.
- Customers can easily engage with the company thanks to eye-catching effects and animations.
2. Framework7 Framework
Framework7 is a great option if you want an app that looks and feels like a native app. You may create apps for both iOS and Android devices. This software also includes other tools for creating native applications, such as Electron and NW.js.
The cross platform app development frameworks include HTML, CSS, and some basic JavaScript, so you can get started even if you don’t know much about them. Aside from that, there are several eye-catching components such as UI elements and distinctive widgets.
What is the purpose of Framework7 Framework 2022?
- It’s a more responsive and speedier framework.
- It’s compatible with React, Angular, and other templating cross platform app development frameworks..
- Without prior knowledge of iOS or Android, a novice may create applications for both platforms.
3. Phone Gap (Apache Cordova)
We have featured Apache Cordova first on the list as it enables the build process of most free cross-platform app development tools.
It offers a FOSS environment that allows cross-platform app development and is deployed by the team behind Apache Cordova. It has a compiler, debugger, and a couple of tools for testing processes.
The web technologies involved are HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It has a wide variety of plugins like the Image Capture plugin, Media Recorder Plugin, Push Plugin, etc. These different plugins trigger many functionalities namely GPS, Accelerometer, Camera, Sound, etc.
Amazingly, it also supports in-app purchases for the iOS application store and the Google Play Store. This tool meant a lot for designers who have some level of adaptability in front-end technologies. Some of the features of Phone Gap are:
- A strong backend that assists beginners.
- Open-Source
- Flexible platform for developers
4. Appcelerator
Another name in the list of cross-platform app development frameworks that can be utilized to develop, deploy, and test the functionality of a mobile application. It makes use of JavaScript as a universal code mechanism.
It allows the use of the same code to develop applications for multiple platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry. When you talk about the brisk development of an app with a developer expert in JavaScript, it is the best choice.
It empowers developers to deploy data models with literally zero setup efforts, as it has schema-less databases along with Arrow DB. Plus, it has pre-built integration with Salesforce, MS Azure, MongoDB, and MS SQL. Some of its attributes are:
- Cost-effective because of titanium framework
- Cloud services to pack, distribute and examine
- Fundamental source code can be used irrespective of the time
5. React Native
Developed by Facebook, it is an open-source, cross-platform application development tool. It follows a rule, “learn once, write everywhere” protocol. Talking about its base language, it is Java, thus, offers a good chance for native functionality. Once the code is complete, a developer can port the application to both Android and iOS using the same code.
The apps built on React Native have the same look & feel as a native application. So the platform is freaking perfect to deliver an interactive user experience. The cross platform app development frameworks is very famous among developers because it enables quick prototyping and offers high initial velocity.
If you have a general acquaintance with JS, you can easily start with React Native. It is also a brilliant choice for agile development and is effective in multiple scenarios. Some attributes of React Native:
- Enable faster development time
- Using web technologies for scalable architecture
- Large community support
6. Native Script
Developing Apps in NativeScript is like developing native apps with cross-platform app development capability in JavaScript & Angular. It is considered the most likable app development framework for developing micro-apps.
If you don’t know about Micro apps, it helps to perform functionalities with precision. It is developed to perform a single feature. Have a look at its major components:
- Runtimes
- Core Modules
- CLI
- Plugins
Here, runtimes empower developers to call both iOS and Android APIs using JavaScript code. The CLI command empowers developers to develop and run apps using Native Script. And plugins play the role of building blocks of the app development process.
Here are some attributes of NativeScript:
- It allows the usage of a complete stack of cross-platform APIs
- Provides “zero days’’ support for the new native framework
- Paved the way for rapid app development
7. Flutter
The platform is known for its faster and dynamic mobile app development. It is Google’s mobile app SDK, complemented with a framework, widget, and tools. It empowers developers to build and deploy attractive, fast, and scalable apps for both iOS and Android platforms.
For cross-platform app development, Flutter is the best date option. You need a single code base, and you make apps equally efficient for both platforms.
It works like a react framework and comes with inbuilt two-dimensional rendering, widgets, and tools.
Some attributes of Flutter:
- Empower developers to build iOS and Android from a single codebase
- Multiple customization designs
- Developers can create designs with OEM widgets
A Road to Conclusion
Cross-platform app development is a revolution in the domain of mobile app development. Anyways, developing two separate apps requires a high budget and more resources. And why develop two separate apps when you have an option to develop an app on a single code base that runs equally efficiently on both platforms.
