10 Popular Myths About Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks in 2021
Introduction
Increased mobile phone penetration across the globe has led businesses to rely on mobile application development as the perfect way to reach their target markets. App building also helps businesses have an all-round approach while managing outreach. While both Android and iOS are popular mobile app development platforms from a business perspective, budget concerns often come in the way of businesses trying to build individual native apps for both these platforms. Cross platform mobile development allows businesses to make a single app that works well for multiple platforms.
Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
When it comes to mobile app frameworks, cross platform is a popular choice among app developers. Cross platform app development frameworks are software that can efficiently run on multiple computing platforms, for example, Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry. A cross-platform mobile app development framework can be used to create mobile apps without any need for separate coding for each mobile platform. Businesses find distinct merit in cross-platform app development due to its financial viability and extended outreach. The popularity of cross-platform app development has led to the surfacing of multiple cross-platforms app development tools and frameworks in the market.
Myths About Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
Myth #1 A Single Code Works for Both Android and iOS App Development
Sharing code between a mobile application platform and another depends on the cross-app development frameworks that app creation companies choose. Most cross-platform app development frameworks allow mobile app developers to share only 70–90% of the code between iOS and Android. However, Flutter is a popular cross-platform app development framework that facilitates 100% code sharing between Android and iOS application development platforms. It automatically executes code sharing omitting out the need to develop any platform-specific codes. Using Flutter for custom mobile app development allows developers to create an app using widgets. The framework displays the code natively on every platform post-development. Top mobile application development companies in the business choose Flutter as it ensures high-quality code sharing and creates almost native-like mobile apps.
Myth #2 Cross-platform Frameworks are Unsafe
Against the popular myth, secure mobile apps need not necessarily be native. In fact, cross-platform apps are not any less safe than native apps. That said, it takes some extra effort to secure cross-platform apps. App developers craft cross-platform apps through web technologies. They need to put in place additional security measures for cross-platform apps. The best cross-platform app development companies choose technologies that come sans and security risks. It is recommended that businesses collaborate with reputed app development firms who have expertise in securing cross-platform apps.
Myth #3 Cross-platform Frameworks Create Slow Mobile Apps
Not all cross-platform app development frameworks create slow apps. Some mobile app development frameworks for cross-platform development compile into native every time an animation or navigation is used. This causes lag in-app performance, and this is where the myth originates from. However, top mobile app companies bring in the expertise to mitigate this problem.
An intelligent mobile app maker will choose the best cross-platform frameworks to avoid slow performance issues in apps. For instance, Flutter compiles the code into native well ahead of the time to reduce the cases of friction.
Myth #4 Cross-platform Framework Apps that Don’t Work with Native Device’s Services and Functions
Modern app programming uses the latest cross-platform frameworks that facilitate access to native device’s features and functionality like camera, geolocation and microphone etc. Developers build an app using these cross-platform frameworks and access native device’s features through plugins. In the absence of plugins, app developers sometimes write them to accomplish their goals in the app.
Myth #5 Cross-platform Frameworks Compromise on Design and App UX
If a mobile app development company thinks that cross-platform development needs a lot of work, they are doing it wrong. Choosing the cross-platform frameworks allows a business to achieve prolific, delightful and intuitive apps with native design across platforms. For example, Flutter conveniently displays the app design as a native one and can be adjusted to any mobile platform version or device screen.
In reality, the app design and its UX depend largely on technologies chosen and expertise of the app developers. Mobile app development with cross-platform frameworks can bring out highly responsive apps that meet the needs of the business and user’s expectations with their intuitive UX. In fact, choosing native app development over cross-platform does not automatically promise intuitive app designs.
Myth #6 Cross-platform App Development is Expensive in Long Run
Mobile app development cost remains low with cross-platform frameworks, in both the short run and long run. App development costs rise with the amount of time and resources invested in it. Building separate native apps for Android and iOS requires two development teams and double the resources. During app development, working with cross-platform frameworks reduces cost as one only development team is sufficient to create the code. Cross-platform frameworks like Ionic and Flutter make app development fast, thus further reducing the costs involved.
Myth #7 There is no Easy Way to Manage Cross-Platform Development Projects
Most mobile application development companies manage cross-platform development by adopting the Agile/Scrum methodology. These methodologies allow the highest level of efficiency, transparency of processes and even keep clients in the loop.
Because native app development is platform-specific, it requires different speed, approach and skill from app developers. It becomes hard to deliver the same kind of features for iOS and Android apps through native development. Agile methodology is not the first choice when it comes to native app development because coordination between two teams developing native apps is not easy. Cross-platform teams, on the other hand, work with a single team of developers, designers and QA experts who use Scrum Sprints to streamline the process.
Myth #8 Responsive Web Pages are Better than Cross-platform Apps
Responsive web pages are not as successful as apps that offer mobile-specific behaviour and design layout. In the end, users are quick to notice the difference in terms of below-average UI and UX.
On another note, Progressive Web Apps are a far better choice than responsive mobile websites.
Myth #9 Cross-platform Frameworks are Not Reliable
There are multiple cross-platform frameworks in the market today like Ionic, React Native, Xamarin, Flutter by Google. They come with reliable and long-established reputations on the market.
Flutter is continuously evolving; it is the first choice for many cross-platform developers today.
Myth #10 Users Notice the Difference with Cross-Platform Development
In reality, app development companies that use a cross-platform framework minimize the performance gap in comparison to native apps. The users won’t be able to notice any significant difference in-app experience, unless its mobile game development. Frameworks like Flutter and React Native ensure excellence in performance.
Conclusion
In the end, the outcome of mobile app development with cross-platform frameworks depends on the app development company you work with and the technologies you choose to leverage. Businesses can ensure the highest quality of app experience with cross-platform apps which can match the quality of native apps, if only they choose the right app development partner.
We at Promatics, always pay attention to client’s requirements when it comes to choosing app development tools and frameworks. Years of working in the industry have helped us gain insight into the trends as they have evolved over the decades. We have seen cross-platform frameworks developing over the years to ascertain well-performing apps.
We have worked extensively with Flutter for cross-platform app development and know-how to build ‘bridges’ to help the code display animation and navigation. Our knowledge of the programming language Dart allows us to access widgets even in the absence of ‘bridges.’ We count on Flutter and our own app development expertise to deliver mobile apps that excel in terms of performance, design and user experience.
We also have extensive experience in building progressive web apps as well. We deliver apps with flawless performance and lay strict emphasis on the app backend, using appropriate technologies like Angular or Node.js. Our team believes that with the right front-end framework and a robust backend, cross-platform app development is a speedy and reliable alternative to native apps.
We hope we sabotaged all cross-platform mobile app development myths that haunt businesses, through our discussion above. Reach out to us for cross-platform app development now!
Note: This article first appeared at: 10 Myths About Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks Busted
