Are you considering developing an app for your startup? If so, you may be wondering if it’s worth investing in a cross-platform app development for startups. Presently, cross-platform application development is an increasingly popular option for startups looking to create apps.
Especially, apps that can run across multiple devices and operating systems. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of developing a cross-platform app for your startup and provide some helpful tips on whether or not it’s the right choice for your business.
Read on to learn more about whether cross-platform mobile app development is the right choice for your startup.
Cross-platform App Development Statistics at a Glance
Cross-platform app development has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more businesses and startups opting for it as the preferred choice for their mobile app projects. In 2022-23, this trend is expected to grow even further, with many predicting that cross-platform apps will account for more than 50% of all mobile app downloads.
- In 2022, it is estimated that around 72% of all mobile developers will be focusing on cross-platform app development 2022.
- React Native remained the most popular cross-platform app development framework, followed by Flutter and Xamarin in 2022-23.
- The demand for cross-platform app developers is expected to grow by 10% in 2022-23.
- According to Gartner, 50% of all mobile applications will be built using a cross-platform development platform by 2024.
In addition to this, research shows that a large majority (70%) of businesses and developers plan to invest in cross-platform app development in the near future. This means that in 2022-23, cross-platform app development for startups will be even more in demand than ever before.
Furthermore, statistics show that the cost of developing cross-platform apps is much lower than that of native apps. This is because most of the code used for developing the app is written only once and can be reused across multiple platforms. This saves time and money, making it an attractive option for most businesses.
Finally, with the growing demand for cross-platform app development in 2022-23, the number of frameworks available for creating such apps is also expected to increase significantly. This will make it easier for developers to quickly create high-quality apps that are compatible with multiple platforms.
Overall, cross-platform app development is a great option for businesses and startups looking to develop mobile applications quickly and cost-effectively. With the growing demand and increased availability of frameworks, cross-platform apps are set to become the norm in 2022-23.
What is Cross-platform Application Development?
Cross-platform app development is a process of developing mobile applications that can be deployed on multiple platforms. This type of development enables the developer to create an application that works on different platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and more.
It allows for a single codebase to be used across different platforms, as opposed to having to create separate versions of an app for each platform. The primary benefit of cross-platform mobile app development is that it reduces the time and cost associated with creating applications.
Meanwhile, also allows developers to reach a larger audience. Additionally, by using a common language and codebase, it becomes easier to maintain the application over time, as well as quickly fix any issues that arise.
Moreover, since all versions are released simultaneously, users don’t have to wait for their desired version to become available. So, hire mobile app developers with expertise in creating diverse cross-platform app to boost your business growth.
Why Do Most Startups Choose Cross-Platform Over Native App Development?
Cross-platform app development is more cost-effective than native app development. It eliminates the need to create separate versions for each platform, which allows for faster development cycles and lower costs. Additionally, many of the popular cross-platform frameworks are free to use, making them an attractive option for budget-minded startups.
1. Reusable Code
In cross-platform app development, code can be reused. In any application, code is the building block that dictates how it looks and what features are offered. You will usually need too many lines of code to build an app with many features—but that’s where coding experience comes in handy!
However, if you’re developing a mobile app for only one operating system (such as iOS), then you’ll need two separate teams of programmers. And 2x more work than needed when developing for just one OS!
But thanks to cross-platform mobile development tools like Xamarin Studio, this process becomes much simpler. Today, we know that about 80% of the coding required can be used across all applications–meaning less repetition and shorter turnaround times!
These reusable codes become available to your developer team so they never have to reinvent the wheel – they just look up at the library shelf where their collections await them or search online for additional lines of code until they find what they need!
2. Faster Time To Market
Cross-platform mobile app development also allows for faster time to market than native app development. By using a single codebase that can be deployed to multiple platforms, developers can quickly deploy apps without needing to go through the tedious process of creating separate versions for each platform. This helps startups get their products to market quickly and efficiently, increasing their chances of success.
3. Lower Development Effort
Developers need to worry about creating just one codebase for an app rather than making two different versions of it. As a result, cross-platform application development goes much quicker than the traditional approach.
4. Lower Testing Time
This means QA professionals will only have to test out one version of the application instead of having to check both apps on separate platforms that entail hundreds of devices and operating systems.
5. Lower Development Costs
All this would translate into lowered costs because there are fewer resources involved in developing a single app as opposed to two.
6. Reach a Wider Audience
Another advantage of cross-platform app development is that it allows startups to reach a wider audience. Since a single codebase can be used to deploy apps to multiple platforms, startups can easily target users across multiple devices and operating systems. This makes it easier for startups to grow their user base and gain a foothold in the market.
7. Easier Updates and Maintenance
Finally, cross-platform mobile app development makes it easier for startups to keep their apps up-to-date. Since there is only one codebase to maintain, developers can quickly update their apps with new features or bug fixes. This makes it easier for startups to keep their apps fresh and competitive in the marketplace.
Overall, cross-platform app development offers startups a number of advantages, from cost efficiency and faster time to market, to wider reach and easier updates and maintenance. By taking advantage of these benefits, startups can maximize their chances of success. And ensure they are able to compete in today’s competitive market.
What are the Pros of Cross-platform App Development?
1. Cost Efficiency
Developing apps for multiple platforms can be a time-consuming and expensive process. But! cross-platform app development significantly reduces the costs and time required for the development. Building an app with a cross-platform framework allows you to use the same codebase on different operating systems. It eliminates the need to develop separate versions for iOS and Android.
2. Time Savings
By leveraging the same codebase across multiple platforms, cross-platform app development accelerates the development process and can save weeks or even months of development time. This means that developers can quickly launch their apps in the market and keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape.
3. User Experience
Cross-platform frameworks allow you to create apps with a consistent look and feel, regardless of the platform they are running on. This allows users to have the same experience when using an app on any device or platform.
4. Scalability
With a single codebase, cross-platform apps can be easily scaled for different screen sizes, platforms, and devices. This helps developers ensure that their apps are optimized for any device and provide an excellent user experience.
5. Security
Cross-platform development frameworks use a single codebase, which means that there is only one codebase to maintain and protect against malicious attacks. This eliminates the need to secure two different versions of the same app, resulting in increased security and reliability.
Additionally, cross-platform app development also offers more flexibility than native mobile app development as it allows developers to make changes to the existing codebase without needing to rewrite it from scratch.
Furthermore, businesses can leverage the power of open-source libraries and other third-party tools available through these frameworks to build powerful apps without needing to invest in costly resources. Finally, developing a cross-platform application ensures better communication between various stakeholders involved in the development process.
And the reason is that it ensures that everyone is working on the same source code. All these benefits make investing in cross-platform app development for startups a wise choice. And they get their apps out into the world quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
What are the Implications for Cross-platform App Development?
Cross-platform mobile app development has several pros that make it perfect for startups. However, there are several implications and challenges that come with it. Let’s take a look at some major challenges that you must know before choosing cross-platform app development for your business.
1. Limited Accessibility to Native Device Features
Cross-platform apps often lack the ability to access some of the advanced features of mobile devices such as a camera, GPS, and Bluetooth. This limits their functionality and can make them less attractive to users.
2. Possible Performance Issues
Cross-platform apps can suffer from performance issues due to the need to be compatible with multiple platforms. This can result in slow loading times and laggy animations, which can be a big turn-off for users.
3. Limited Customization Options
Cross-platform apps may have limited customization options compared to native apps. This means developers may be unable to tailor their apps to the specific needs of their users, making them less appealing.
4. Fragmentation Issues
Developers need to take into account the different versions of each platform when creating a cross-platform app. This means they need to test their app extensively to ensure it works correctly on all platforms. And this can be a time-consuming and costly process.
5. Unexpected Issues
Cross-platform apps are complex and there is always the possibility of unexpected issues arising. This could lead to delays in launching the app and increased development costs.
Top 5 Best Cross-platform App Development Frameworks
#1. React Native
React Native is a popular open-source JavaScript library developed by Facebook that is used to build cross-platform mobile applications. It’s one of the most used cross-platform frameworks today, thanks to its wide range of features and user-friendly interface. React Native is great for creating dynamic, responsive user interfaces for mobile apps. And supports both iOS and Android devices.
#2. Flutter
Flutter is a new Google-developed open-source mobile UI framework designed for creating stunning, high-performance, natively compiled applications for Android and iOS. It’s an ideal tool for creating feature-rich, beautiful cross-platform apps with the same codebase.
Flutter provides developers with an extensive set of widgets and tools to create eye-catching visuals and interactive animations.
#3. Xamarin
Xamarin is another popular cross-platform app development platform created by Microsoft. It enables developers to create native mobile applications using C# code and the .NET platform. Xamarin has several features and APIs that make it easier to develop robust, and secure. And visually attractive mobile applications that support both Android and iOS.
#4. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source cross-platform mobile development framework based on Angular, Typescript, and the Cordova framework. It’s a great choice for developing hybrid applications that are compatible with all major mobile platforms, including iOS and Android. Ionic enables developers to create highly functional and feature-rich mobile apps that look and feel native.
#5. Adobe PhoneGap
Adobe PhoneGap is another great option for cross-platform app development. This framework enables developers to create hybrid applications using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript code. PhoneGap has a lot of features and APIs. Those make it easy to develop powerful and visually appealing mobile applications.
It also supports different third-party tools and plugins, which makes it a great choice for creating interactive and engaging apps.
Bonus Read: A complete guide on mobile app development that can help
7 Top Tips for Creating a Cross-platform App
When it comes to developing a cross-platform app, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration such as.
1. Consider Platform-Oriented Development
Generally, developers tend to focus on creating applications designed for only one platform. Yet, they often do not take the time to test the application on any other OS than their own preferred operating system.
To resolve this problem, cross-platform mobile app development will give software engineers the opportunity to create an app in a single language. Thus, you can use it across many different platforms and devices.
2. Keep the Visual Aesthetics In Check
Needless to say, an app’s functionality is the most important element that drives users. But visuals are also something worth considering when it comes to offering a good user experience. That doesn’t mean you have to fill your app’s UI with flashy decoration – visuals should be aesthetically pleasing.
And restrained in order to offer a clean look. Your UI should remain consistent throughout. So, users never feel confused or overwhelmed by its contents. For different platforms, you can use variations of your core design while still staying true to what makes your brand unique.
This ensures that people who interact with your app don’t need time to get used to how things work just because they switched screens or apps!
3. Consider the User Interface Guidelines of Your Chosen Platform
Taking this point into consideration is critically important, many times developers fail to develop apps that are in line with the UI of the respective platform. The solution is to take care of separate UI guidelines for each and every platform you are supposed to launch the app on.
Developing an app without having a thorough understanding of what type of input methods or actions will be appropriate on which device can lead to an overwhelming number of design flaws.
4. Involve Designers in the Process
Designers are experts when it comes to UX (user experience), and their input will significantly shape your app development. While reviewing and revising those guidelines, don’t forget to ask for advice from these professionals who know what works best for today’s users. Their opinions can make a world of difference during this process.
5. Always Go With Robust Cross-platform App Modules
You will find plenty of benefits when you use a cross-platform application development process to streamline your development process. App modules are really helpful for developers because they allow them to save time on various programming languages while also getting access to native SDKs.
They’re also great at providing high-quality information about your app development process. Moreover, third-party modules can be used in order to mold UX via various platforms. Modules offer plenty of advantages and possibilities when it comes to adding new features and functions to the app.
6. Test Your App
If your team is developing a cross-platform app, the developers build all the same elements in each platform while customizing certain features to take advantage of the specific engine they’re using.
Testing your app helps ensure that it works properly across all these different environments before you launch it. Henceforth, if developers are making their application work with all the engines/platforms then testing becomes crucial as well. Because it provides an overall perspective of how one’s app will look.
7. Consider the User On a Previous Note
Remember that the user is always your priority. You need to understand what users are expecting from your app and make it tailored for them. Cross-platform applications exist on multiple platforms, but they’re less flexible and customizable than native apps.
Here’s the challenge for cross-platform developers: developing an app that doesn’t have to replicate every element of a native app, just comes close enough. Ultimately though, understanding what users want will lead you down the right path.
Cost of Developing Cross-platform App
Cross-platform app development is an attractive option for startups due to its cost-effectiveness. Compared to native app development, where different versions of the same app must be developed for each platform, cross-platform apps can be developed once. And deployed on multiple platforms, resulting in much lower costs.
The actual cost of a cross-platform app will depend on several factors, such as the complexity of the app; the number of features and integrations needed; the number of platforms supported; and the amount of time needed for development. Additionally, most cross-platform solutions have additional costs associated with them, such as licenses, hosting, maintenance, and upgrades.
Despite these costs, cross-platform apps can still be cheaper than native apps because they allow developers to reuse code across multiple platforms. This means that developers only need to write the code once instead of having to rewrite it for each platform. Additionally, the cost of testing and debugging the code is reduced since the same code runs on multiple platforms.
In conclusion, while the cost of cross-platform app development may seem high at first glance, when compared to native app development, the long-term savings can be quite significant. Startups should carefully consider the cost/benefit ratio. Especially! when deciding whether to pursue native or cross-platform app development.
How To Find the Right Cross-platform App Development Company?
1. Understand Your Business Requirements:
The first and most important step to finding the right cross-platform mobile app development company is to understand your business requirements. You should have a clear understanding of the purpose of your app, the target audience, and the features you wish to include.
Knowing these details will help you narrow down your search for the best cross-platform app development company that can meet your needs.
2. Do Research and Check Reviews:
The next step is to do research and check reviews of potential cross-platform app development companies. Take the time to read through customer reviews, industry forums, and websites of the companies you’re considering.
This will give you an idea of the services they provide, their reliability, and their customer satisfaction levels. Additionally, take into consideration the cost of their services and compare it to your budget.
3. Ask for Samples of Their Work:
Once you have a list of potential cross-platform app development companies, ask for samples of their work. This will give you an idea of the quality and type of apps they can create and whether or not they have experience in developing apps that are similar to yours.
4. Clarify Your Requirements:
It is also important to clarify your requirements with the company you are interested in hiring. Make sure to discuss the specifics of your project with them, such as what platforms you want to target and any additional features you would like to include.
5. Sign An Agreement:
Before signing an agreement with a cross-platform app development company, ensure that all the terms and conditions are clearly defined in the contract. This will help protect both parties and make sure everyone is on the same page throughout the entire process.
Finding the right mobile app development company is essential for startups looking to create an effective and successful mobile app. By following the steps outlined above, you can make sure that you find a reliable, experienced, and cost-effective partner to bring your vision to life.
Wrapping Up
Cross-platform app development is a great solution for startups looking to get their product out to the world quickly and cost-effectively. This type of app development offers a wide range of features and flexibility, allowing your team to customize and tailor the app to meet the needs of your users.
Moreover, it is less time-consuming, as it requires fewer resources and development time than native app development. Despite its benefits, cross-platform development still has some drawbacks, such as slower performance and certain compatibility issues.
Before deciding on any platform, take some time to consider the pros and cons of cross-platform app development. Make sure to weigh all your options before making your decision, and remember that the right choice will depend on the specific needs of your startup.
With the right cross-platform application development company and framework, you can make sure that your app reaches its maximum potential. So, hire the right partner!
FAQs
1. What is cross-platform app development?
Cross-platform mobile app development is the creation of software applications that are compatible with various operating systems. Originally, this complexity was compounded by the difficulty of building out a backend system that would work across all platforms.
2. What are the advantages of cross-platform mobile app development?
By choosing this route, companies benefit from fast turnaround times, low costs, ease of deployment and ongoing support. These factors combined allow for increased business performance and return on investment.
3. Is Python cross-platform?
Yes, Python is cross-platform; you can execute most Python programs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux hardware and even Android and iOS.
