Exploring the Benefits of Cross-Platform App Development

• Mobile
• June 10, 2024

by Pratik Patel

Cross-platform app development lets you create apps that work on multiple operating systems like iOS and Android using just one set of code. It increases the user base and cuts off development time and budget. Launching and maintaining the app is seamless as the updates and fixes apply to all platforms. These benefits of cross-platform app development are just the tip of the iceberg. This blog will tell you more.

In today’s tech-savvy world, cross-platform app development isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. It came into the picture because developing separate apps for different operating systems like iOS and Android is daunting and expensive.

In cross-platform app development, you write app code once, and it works on multiple platforms. It’s like ordering one pizza and getting three for the price of one—without the extra price.

Things don’t end here, there are many other benefits of cross-platform app development that will make it easy for you to work on your mobile app ideas. However, you are yet to know them. This blog will give you in-depth information on these advantages.

What is Cross-Platform App Development?

Cross-platform app development is used to create applications that can run on multiple operating systems, such as iOS and Android using a single codebase. Instead of writing separate code for each platform, developers write the code once and deploy it across all platforms, making the process more efficient.

On the other side, mobile app development for multiple platforms refers to developing different versions for each operating system. Each platform has its programming language, development environment, and guidelines.

For example, iOS is written in Swift or Objective-C, while Android apps are written in Kotlin or Java. The development approach requires multiple codebase maintenance that may lead to more complexities and higher maintenance costs.

Why is Cross-Platform App Development Becoming Popular?

By enabling the creation of applications that run seamlessly on multiple operating systems, cross-platform frameworks have gained significant traction in the technology industry. According to Persistence Market Research (PMR), the global cross-platform app development framework industry is projected to generate revenues totaling USD 120 billion in 2023.

Over the next decade, the global demand for cross-platform app development frameworks is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. By 2033, the cross-platform app development market size is anticipated to reach USD 546.7 billion.

• Cross-platform frameworks are expected to integrate more seamlessly with emerging technologies such as AI and ML, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• More enterprises are likely to adopt cross-platform development to streamline their app development processes and reduce costs.
• Enhancements in development tools, debugging, and testing capabilities will improve the overall developer experience, making cross-platform development more efficient and appealing.
• Continued enhancements in mobile app development trends and cross-platform frameworks will likely address current limitations, providing more comprehensive access to native APIs and better performance.

Advancements in framework capabilities and integration with new technologies will likely spur further adoption and innovation in this field. As businesses continue to seek efficient and effective ways to deploy their applications across multiple platforms, the demand for cross-platform app development frameworks is set to rise substantially.

6 Advantages of Cross-Platform App Development

Cross-platform app development has gained significant popularity due to its numerous advantages over native app development. Here are the key benefits:

1. Code Reusability 

Code reusability is one of the significant benefits of cross-platform app development because it enables developers to write a single codebase that can be used across platforms like iOS and Android.

Instead of duplicating the logic and features in various frameworks and programming languages, developers can build and iterate a single codebase. Maintaining one codebase is more straightforward and less expensive than managing multiple app versions. 

2. Rapid Development

Cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin come with a rich library of pre-built components. Developers can easily integrate these components into the application and avoid building the app from scratch. They can also access a wide range of third-party libraries and plugins to speed up the development process and provide ready-made solutions for common functionalities.

3. Cost Efficiency

You can hire mobile app developers with specific expertise in cross-platform development and save on cost. Moreover, writing code once and deploying it across preferred platforms makes the process more cost-effective.

Along with it, maintaining a single codebase is more budget-friendly than maintaining multiple codebases. Bug fixes, updates, and new features can be implemented once and propagated across all platforms, reducing ongoing maintenance expenses.

Synchronizing updates across platforms ensures that all users receive new features and bug fixes simultaneously, which can be more cost-efficient compared to staggered updates.

4. Consistent User Experience

Developers can use the same UI components and design principles across all platforms. This way, they can maintain a uniform look and feel and ensure that the app’s appearance and behavior remain the same, irrespective of platform type. The similarity enhances user experience and helps the app deal with the specific user behaviors aptly without any issues.

5. Easy Maintenance

Using the single codebase, developers can ensure that all features and functionalities are available on all platforms. Users get the same capabilities and experience whether they are on iOS, Android, or any other platform. Updates and new features can be rolled out simultaneously across all platforms, ensuring that users have access to the latest improvements at the same time.

6. Access to Native Features

Developers can access device-specific hardware features like cameras, GPs, accelerometers, and microphones and build common functionalities. Most of the apps usually rely on these features for core functionality, like navigation apps, fitness trackers, or augmented reality experiences.

Developers can leverage OS-specific features like notifications, widgets, and background processes, ensuring that the app integrates well with the user’s device environment.

Modern cross-platform frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) compile to native code or use a bridge to interact with native APIs, providing near-native performance. Moreover, access to native UI components and rendering engines helps maintain high responsiveness and fluidity, which are essential for a good user experience.

Challenges Developers Encounter While Building Cross-Platform Apps

Mobile app developers face various challenges when building cross-platform apps, necessitating strategic approaches for resolution. Here are some of the primary hurdles developers may encounter:

Device Fragmentation

Developers may face issues related to device fragmentation. The term refers to the wide variety of devices available, each with different display sizes, hardware capabilities, and resolutions. Developers need to ensure the app runs smoothly on all platforms. Otherwise, it may face performance issues if the device is different or doesn’t get along with the app functionalities.

Difficulty in Achieving Consistent UX

Developers may find it hard to achieve consistent user experience across all platforms due to the different platform dynamics, design guidelines, and app features. However, they can achieve it by using high-end frameworks like Flutter or React Native. These frameworks will help them develop cross-platform apps with native app’s look and feel. 

Operating System Compatibility

All operating systems have distinct functionalities, like API range, design principles, and programming languages. This variation creates a gap in cross-platform compatibility. Cross-platform frameworks bridge this gap while establishing compatibility among all platforms. It uses an abstraction layer and APIs to utilize platform-specific functionalities. If the framework fails to do so, your app may face performance issues, catch bugs, or fall prey to cyber threats and security vulnerabilities.

Limited Accessibility to Device APIs

Different platforms provide unique APIs to access device features. These APIs are often not directly available or behave differently across platforms. Cross-platform frameworks might not support all the native APIs or might support them in a limited capacity, necessitating platform-specific code.

Mobile app developers often need to write custom plugins or modules to bridge gaps between the cross-platform framework and native APIs, increasing development time and complexity. Moreover, differences in API versions and support across various devices and operating system versions add to the challenge. Developers need to ensure compatibility and consistent behavior across a wide range of devices.

Codebase Maintenance

All platforms have varying sets of APIs and SDKs that require platform-specific code within a shared codebase. It can lead to a fragmented and complex codebase, and developers need to maintain multiple versions of similar functionality. Additionally, using conditional statements to handle platform-specific behavior can clutter the codebase, making it harder to read, debug, and maintain.

Different platforms may require specific versions of libraries and frameworks, leading to dependency management issues. Ensuring compatibility across platforms can be challenging, especially when updates or changes are needed. Moreover, integrating third-party services and libraries can be complicated if they offer different levels of support or APIs for varying platforms.

Performance Optimization

Cross-platform apps run on different devices with varying hardware capabilities. Optimizing performance for both high-end and low-end devices requires significant effort. Each device has exclusive features, screen resolution, processing power, and memory, which can affect how the app performs across the board.

By embracing cross-platform frameworks and methodologies, businesses can maximize their return on investment while delivering high-quality, feature-rich applications that resonate with users across multiple platforms. With advancements in technology and a vibrant developer community, the future of cross-platform app development is promising, providing endless possibilities for businesses to expand their digital footprint and achieve their strategic objectives.

However, you must take the assistance of a top mobile app development company before starting your project. Professionals will help reap the compelling advantages and achieve your growth goals efficiently and effectively.

Why Choose MindInventory to Build Cross-Platform Apps For Your Business?

With a portfolio of successful cross-platform apps across various industries, we have established a reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative custom app development services. We follow a meticulous development process that includes thorough requirement analysis, strategic planning, agile development, rigorous testing, and post-launch support.

Our team ensures that your app not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Our developers are proficient in leading frameworks such as React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin, ensuring that your app leverages the latest technologies and best practices.

Our approach is highly customizable, allowing us to tailor the app to your specific needs. Whether you need custom integrations, specialized features, or unique UI/UX designs, we have the expertise to deliver a solution that fits your vision.

FAQ on Cross-platform App Development