If you seek transformation from the traditional way of developing mobile apps, then you cannot miss out on Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile.
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, often abbreviated as KMM, is a Software Development Kit by JetBrains. It provides a combination of cross-platform and native approaches for Android and iOS app development.
Being known for its single codebase, when it comes to application logic. Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is one of the most preferred cross-platform frameworks in the market.
By maintaining a single codebase for analytics, data storage, networking, and many other logics while developing android and iOS apps. It also enables the implementation of native UIs along with other features for iOS and Android devices.
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile has become popular among start-ups on the grounds of:
- Multi-platform capability
- Cost-effectiveness
- Rapidity in reachability
Now, let’s find out how beneficial KMM can be for you.
Why should you go for Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile?
‘Writing the common server logic for various platforms is possible with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, whereas the UI part for each platform will be separate.’
The meaning of server logic here does not mean the backend development but rather the server layer – an application’s part exchanging data between the server and the mobile. On the other hand, the UI codes for iOS and Android will be different from one another.
However, some companies still await making a switch till it gets more reliable and established, even after the release of alpha in 2020.
Despite the fact, that many production apps like VMWare, Netflix, Leroy Merlin, Quizlet, Philips, and Autodesk have trusted Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile for its stand-apart benefits.
Advantages of Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile
As you need to write server logic for all the platforms only once, it can prove to be a real time saver for you. The burden of doing the same work twice will be dropped off the shoulders of Android developers and iOS developers. Ultimately, accelerating the development processes by 30%.
If I go by the quote “Time is Money”, then while working with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile you are going to save both. As the cost of hiring developers or even outsourcing them hourly is an expensive deal, but in this method, you are in a win-win situation.
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile lets you design apps that appear native in nature on each platform. As I have discussed earlier in this blog, the visual part of the application will be designed for the iPhone app by the iOS developer and for the Android app by the Android developer. So, unlike other cross-platform approaches, it will not let you forgo a fantastic user experience.
Disadvantages of Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile
The server logic in Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is written using Kotlin, which is originally a programming language for Android app development. Thus, there are few iOS developers who are well versed with Kotlin and its usage in application development. Even, finding the team for the same will not be a cup of tea.
Moreover, some components of Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile are still in the alpha or beta testing stage because of which its stability is in question. Probably, there will be a need for a support team in case any errors come up if you go with KMM to build an android app or an iOS app.
Further, the potential of using Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile at its fullest will be lacking when it requires sharing code using different technologies and targeting beyond Android and iOS frameworks.
Final Thoughts
Finally, to justify the title that Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is a new SDK for cross-platform mobile development – Yes! It is. However, it still depends a lot on your application development requirements.
In case, there is an expert team of iOS and Android developers like an app development company, then going for KMM can reduce your development time. On other hand, if you are thinking just to make an iOS app and Android app on a small yet identical level then it may be a no-no, as the development knowledge for both the platforms is required.
All in all, like any other framework Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile has its own pros and cons. Still, KMM platform continues to gain popularity and traction among the cross platform app development developers due to its development efficiency as well as a reusable and shareable code library.
