• cpadminuser
• Uncategorized
• 4 November, 2024

Mobile applications have become integral to life today. It’s primarily because of the exponential popularity of smartphones. You’d be surprised to know that approximately 4.88 billion people own a mobile phone in 2024! Moreover, in 2023, people spent around 16 billion hours using mobile applications. This sets the stage for immense potential, if captured properly.

Mobile applications also offer convenience and accessibility to consumers, all the while boasting consistent innovation. Because of this, businesses are investing millions in creating mobile apps for their consumers to act as primary and/or secondary touchpoints. According to industry statistics, the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store have 2,362,087 and 1,973,590 apps, respectively.

Given these incredible statistics, thousands of entrepreneurs are exploring native vs. cross-platform app development to set the foundation for a successful mobile app. When building an app, you need to consider several factors, like development cost, time, app functionality, and user needs.

In this blog, we will discuss everything there is to know about native vs. cross-platform mobile app development so you can choose the best step option.

Let’s dive in!

What is native application development?

Native apps are designed for a specific operating system and use platform-specific programming languages. Native mobile application development is the process of creating apps or software that run on certain devices and mobile app platforms, such as Android and iOS. It involves using a programming language that is native to the operating system to create apps that are compatible with a single platform, such as computers, smart TVs, smartphones, or other advanced digital gadgets.

When designing native Android apps, Java or Kotlin is used, while Objective-C or Swift is used on iOS. Native app development is appropriate when you want to provide the best user experience in terms of the application’s look and feel. All in all, native app development allows developers better access to add more capabilities and features to the apps.    

Native App Tools

Native mobile app development requires operating-system-specific software development kits (SDK) and an integrated development environment (IDE). For Android, you’ll have to use Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA. These tools work remarkably on Windows, Linux, and macOS. For iOS apps, you’ll have to use Xcode or AppCode as your IDE, but these tools only work on macOS.

Benefits of Native Application Development

Here are the benefits of choosing a native mobile application development:

1. Speed and Performance

Native apps outperform and run faster than cross-platform and other non-native apps since they are designed with unique platform requirements in mind. Native apps are built specifically for a set of devices and run on a specific architecture. They run faster because they have access to exclusive APIs and components optimized for different screen sizes and operating systems.

Moreover, native apps outperform cross-platform apps due to the direct interaction between the code and the underlying resources. Native apps can also be smaller, resulting in speedier downloads from the app store.

2. Stability in Maintenance

Google and Apple provide developers with SDKs, interface elements, and ongoing support to ensure optimal functionality. As Android and iOS come from these tech giants, people have a good degree of trust and confidence that they’ll shine through to ensure optimal functionality.

The SDK access speeds up the development process and gives developers access to the most updated features with just a few clicks. Hence, any and all apps that have been natively built on Android and iOS have stability when it comes to maintenance and updates, and you can implement new changes immediately when the app is deployed and launched.

On the other hand, because cross-platform frameworks are developed by third-party firms, organizations, and developer communities, there is a danger that future upgrades or development of these frameworks will be inconsistent, slowed, or stopped.

3. Customization of Features – UI/UX

Native apps are clear winners when it comes to feature customization. They are easier and faster to configure and customize because developers usually don’t have to worry about dependencies between the different operating systems and app versions.

Designing user interfaces for iOS and Android apps differs significantly; hence, it is easier for developers to stick to the standards of one platform, which enables them to implement it more effectively.

4. Hardware Functionalities

Native apps are developed to leverage a mobile device’s hardware to its maximum functionality. They use the device’s camera, GPS, proximity sensors, microphone, etc., to ensure that the application provides optimal functionality.

5. Application Security

Native app developers typically find it easier to add file encryption, sophisticated fraud detection, and other security features using each platform’s tools and resources. Moreover, updating security measures in native apps takes less time than updating cross-platform apps since cross-platform frameworks are more challenging to forecast after patches and other platform-specific releases.

6. Specialized Talent

If you choose native mobile application development, you will tap into the vast pool of highly skilled and experienced developers on platforms like iOS and Android, as well as their frameworks. This depth of knowledge helps you create a high-quality app with better performance and a smoother development process.

7. Visual Appeal

Since every aspect of a native app is designed with your operating system in mind, you can use every detail to maximize the app’s visual appeal. From downloading the app from the store to using it on your device, you can customize the entire user experience.

See our latest relevant exploration A Guide To React Native App Development

Drawbacks of Native Application Development

Here are the drawbacks of Native Application Development:

1. Costlier and Time Consuming

You will have to deploy two separate teams to build the same app for iOS and Android users, which will definitely require greater financial resources than creating a single application. Moreover, the teams will have to work parallelly to ensure seamless coordination between them to align UI/UX.

2. No code reusability

By creating different native apps, your technical teams will have to write independently, without the option to reuse code from one OS to another. Separate native apps take more time, effort, and money to develop than cross-platform apps with reusable codebases.

3. Support And Maintenance

Another significant disadvantage of native apps is that they will incur higher maintenance costs. Many organizations fail to recognize that app costs continue after an application is released. In fact, in many cases, the majority of the work is completed during the support and maintenance phases.

What Is Cross-Platform Application Development?

A cross-platform mobile application is built from a single codebase and targets multiple operating systems in the same development project. Such mobile apps are created using cross-platform frameworks and a platform-specific SDK (iOS or Android) from a single API.

This allows developers to readily use the platform’s libraries and SDKs, making cross-platform development a popular option for enterprise mobile app development.

Cross-Platform App Tools

Some of the most popular cross-platform frameworks are:

• React Native, developed by Meta (previously Facebook), uses JavaScript as its programming language.
• NET MAUI, designed by Microsoft, uses XAML and C# as its programming languages.
• Flutter, designed by Google, uses Dart as its programming language.

Benefits Of Cross-Platform Application Development

Here are the benefits of choosing a cross-platform mobile application development:

1. Code Reusability

For most developers, one of the most significant advantages of cross-platform development is the ability to use a single codebase for iOS and Android apps. In native applications, code for various platforms must be written separately, which is usually done by two different developers or teams. In custom mobile app creation, the entire codebase is kept in one location, which saves time and effort because the development team can work on two platforms simultaneously.

2. Faster Time-to-Market

Cross-platform app development uses a single development approach to create an app that can run on multiple platforms. Thanks to code reusability between platforms, businesses can avoid implementing separate Android and iOS projects. Operational development is significantly faster because the product, design, and engineering teams are all working on the same project.

3. Value For Money

Building cross-platform apps may be less expensive than developing iOS and Android apps separately because just one development team is required rather than two. Moreover, developers who use technologies that can build both web and mobile apps (such as React Native) can reuse a significant amount of code and other assets across both platforms. This can shorten the development process, lowering development costs.

4. UI/UX Consistency

The way UI and navigation are created varies among operating systems and platforms, which is why native app development requires separate and specialized teams. Cross-platform development frameworks automatically address these discrepancies. Cross-platform apps provide a more consistent look and experience to users across many devices.

5. Prospects for Talent

Cross-platform frameworks are gaining popularity, particularly React Native and Flutter. More and more developers recognize the benefits of learning these frameworks. By learning a single framework, they can create apps that run on both iOS and Android. Moreover, more cross-platform frameworks are being developed in response to the growing demand among startups and organizations.

6. Broad Market Reach

Businesses can reach more consumers or users more efficiently by developing an app for both Android and iOS, which is less expensive and faster. This makes cross-platform a better fit for individuals who are still developing an idea, hypothesis, or prototype that needs to be distributed across many platforms.

Drawbacks Of Cross-Platform Application Development

Here are the drawbacks of choosing a cross-platform mobile application development:

1. Lower Speed and Performance

In general, developers have long recognized that native apps outperform cross-platform apps in terms of performance and speed for simpler applications. Cross-platform apps are often slower than native apps due to the addition of an abstraction layer and rendering process. Moreover, there appears to be some indication of a larger performance differential for CPU and GPU-intensive applications.

2. Adapting The Code

Cross-platform apps must tailor their design and functionality to specific platforms, operating systems, and devices. As a result, developers must work hard to deal with the unique variances between each type of device and platform. This can be incredibly challenging for complicated features. The difficulties encountered during implementation may impact functionality.

3. Wait Time for Updates

When Google or Apple make an update or add new capabilities to their respective operating systems, cross-platform apps require some time or extra effort to support the most recent releases. For example, new SDKs for native apps are updated far faster than cross-platform frameworks.

Native Apps vs. Cross-Platform Mobile Development: How to Choose?

As you may well know, both native and cross-platform development offer advantages and disadvantages when it comes to implementing mobile apps. So, which one should you choose for your business? Choosing between native and cross-platform is critical, and there are a few vital considerations to consider while making your decision. Here we discuss some key differences:

1. App Performance

How you want your app to function will also influence the decision between cross-platform and native mobile development. Mobile applications can have high computing requirements, particularly for gaming apps. If your company needs an application with faster performance and a more seamless user experience, a native app is the ideal option.

However, if that is not your company’s aim and you would instead benefit from a larger audience reach and a shorter time-to-market, consider a cross-platform mobile application.

2. Time To Market

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing between cross-platform and native mobile development is time to market. While cross-platform development and iteration are speedier, native app development takes longer and provides a more consistent user experience. If your company wants to deploy the app immediately to begin receiving excellent customer input, cross-platform development is the best alternative.

3. Development Budget

Cross-platform is a more cost-effective solution than native mobile app development. The latter entails installing two standalone apps for both operating systems, which would necessitate employing more developers, allocating more resources, and, ultimately, paying more money.

So, if you’re on a tight budget and the limits don’t appear too severe, go with cross-platform development. However, if you have the cash and want to prioritize user experience and app upgrades, native app development is the way to go.

4. Testing Feasibility

Native apps are more difficult to test because they require specific testing for distinct app versions on different operating systems. Cross-platform apps, on the other hand, are easy to test because they share a common codebase.

If you have the time and money to spend in a proper native app testing phase, go for it. If you have limited resources and want to deploy the product rapidly, choose cross-platform development.

5. Security

Security is especially important for apps that store and manage vast amounts of data, such as a banking mobile app. In such circumstances, a native app is preferable because it has greater security owing to being designed in an OS-specific environment. Native app development also requires access to native libraries, which enable developers to assure app encryption.

However, if you want to prioritize maintenance, a cross-platform mobile app is a preferable option. As previously said, cross-platform software creation simplifies maintenance due to the shared codebase. Moreover, because you’ll be dealing with a single app rather than two separate ones, maintenance costs will be lower.

Which one to choose?

Now that you know all there is to know about Native vs. Cross Platform mobile application development, it’s time to choose one for building your mobile app. In this section, we’ll discuss when you should choose a native or cross-platform app for your next project.

When should you choose cross-platform app development?

Native apps are an excellent option for business owners looking to create a full app. Because they can exploit all of the smartphone’s features, they are ideal for developing complicated high-end applications. However, native apps take longer to build and cost more money. So, if you’re not in a hurry to deliver your app as a business owner, you should consider native app development.

Moreover, native apps represent a long-term investment. They have the potential to become more popular because they provide a better user experience. Finally, native apps can be highly beneficial if you want to engage with a certain audience.

When should you choose native app development?

Higher deliverability becomes a priority if you provide services to a large number of consumers daily. Cross-platform development is the best option to ensure that your consumers receive what they need on time. Cross-platform programs are easy to utilize. They provide the same capabilities across many mobile devices, making them a preferable choice for a small business trying to maximize benefits with minimal expenditure.

Moreover, cross-platform development is more accessible to implement and maintain. This makes it a better option if you are an IT business owner who has limited time to devote to app marketing.

How can Coding Pixel help you with mobile app development?

Developing a solid mobile app with in-depth market insights requires great expertise. With over eight years of experience and a team of over 100 developers, Coding Pixel has a strong track record of delivering hundreds of successful projects.

We ensure transparency, clear communication, and collaboration to keep you informed throughout the development cycle and ensure that your brand identity is captured aptly.

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