Introduction

Almost every firm in the business world requires a mobile app. To remain competitive, businesses must have a mobile application for their customers and staff - an application that can run seamlessly on both iOS and Android platforms. The company decides whether it requires a separate codebase for each operating system or to employ a cross-platform mobile app development solution.

Apart from aligning the primary features and adhering to the client’s expectations, the most common problem that the development business faces while establishing an app is cross-platform app development. App developers clearly know that it is easier said than done.

As of 2024, Android holds approximately 71.67% of the global mobile operating system market, while iOS has a 27.73% share.

In this post, we have outlined the benefits of cross-platform app development, popular cross-platform frameworks, and real-time case studies. As it is the era of cross-platform apps, companies like WEDOWEBAPPS, a mobile app development company in the USA, are driving innovation by developing mobile apps that function seamlessly across all platforms.

What is Cross-Platform App Development?

The idea of cross-platform allows businesses to reach as many customers as possible by developing software that runs smoothly across multiple operating systems. This development approach allows a wide range of users to use apps that are compatible with all digital environments. Developing apps for multiple platforms allows developers to launch products faster by writing code just once. This approach reduces costs while ensuring the app maintains high performance and quality across different operating systems.

Developers leveraging multiplatform mobile app development strategies can achieve wider reach and faster deployment. By using frameworks like Flutter or React Native, businesses can ensure that their applications perform efficiently across various operating systems, such as Android and iOS, without needing separate codebases.

Why is Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Important?

With a high number of platforms emerging at the same time, going with fully native Android or iOS is a bit risky. Additionally, programming an app individually for each platform is time-consuming and costly, regardless of the fact that they appear and function almost similarly. The solution to this problem is to use a cross-platform development strategy that allows you to develop an app with smooth functioning on all the operating systems at the same time and the money required to develop an app for one platform using a third-party software development kit.

The debate of native app vs cross platform often arises when businesses decide on their mobile app strategy. While native apps are known for optimized performance and deep integration with the device’s hardware, cross-platform solutions offer faster development and cost efficiency, making them ideal for businesses targeting diverse audiences.

Important Facts Below:

  • The reusability of code and databases results in saved money and time.
  • Having numerous apps with different backends increases the upgrade and maintenance costs.
  • Good user experience is an important factor for an application’s success. Cross-platform app development allows for a consistent user experience across all devices and OS, resulting in higher engagement.
  • Cross-platform app development can take a single mobile app idea and deploy it to various platforms (Android, iOS, etc.) without the need to start it from scratch for each platform. It also lets you make changes to every platform at the same time.

Benefits of Cross-Platform Development

Here’s a deeper look into the key benefits of cross-platform development:

1. Cost-Efficiency

Using cross-platform frameworks, developers can program a single codebase for multiple platforms, thereby minimizing the development costs compared to developing separate apps for iOS and Android. The lower resource needs of this approach make it attractive, especially for startups and small businesses with limited budgets.

2. Quick Development

Since this approach works on the “write once deploy anywhere” technique, the development cycle is comparatively shorter. This allows faster time-to-market, hence, giving businesses a competitive edge. Cross-platform tools like Flutter and React Native offer hot-reload features, boosting the application testing process.

3. Wider Audience Reach

By developing mobile apps for multiple platforms (like iOS, Android, and the web) simultaneously, companies can reach a wider audience without developing separate versions. This approach ensures market penetrations in regions with varied user bases, i.e., between Android and iOS, maximizing user engagement.

4. Easier Maintenance and Updates

Cross-platform apps are way easier to maintain because the updates only need to be made in a single codebase and those are reflected across all platforms. This reduces the workload for development teams and ensures that the features and performance remain consistent on all platforms.

Overall, cross-platform development allows businesses to balance cost, speed, and reach without compromising on the quality of the app, thereby making cross-platform development an essential and go-to strategy in today’s competitive mobile app industry.

1. React Native 

React Native, one of the best mobile app development tools developed by Facebook, allows mobile app developers to develop mobile apps that look and feel like native apps by combining JavaScript and React. Large community, continuously updated documentation and cross-platform component reusability are some of the benefits of React Native development. To provide the users with access to native device capabilities and APIs, React Native also allows the integration of native modules.

React Native Hermes, a lightweight JavaScript engine, significantly enhances the performance of applications. Hermes optimizes app startup time and memory usage, providing a smoother user experience, especially on devices with limited resources.

Examples of Successful Apps developed with React Native

  • Facebook- This social media giant relies heavily on React Native for some parts of its mobile app.
  • Instagram- The explore page feature is developed using React Native in the Instagram app.
  • Walmart- This giant application improved app performance and minimized development time using this framework.

2. Flutter

Flutter is another preferred option for cross-platform app development developed by Google. It has a wide range of pre-built widgets and Dart Programming Language for creating user interfaces. One of the most useful benefits of Flutter Development is its fast rendering feature that allows for fluid animations and transitions. Additionally, it offers the hot reload feature which lets the developers view changes immediately without restarting the application.

Examples of Successful Apps developed with Flutter

  • Google Ads- This application is developed by Google and offers seamless control over ad campaigns.
  • Alibaba- This eCommerce giant uses Flutter for some parts of its user experience.
  • Reflectly- A journalism-based application developed purely on Flutter.

3. Telerik

Telerik, though, not in use anymore, was a great framework for mobile app development. It offered robust UI components and tools for building cross-platform apps. The frameworks supported by Telerik were Angular and NativeScript, making it a popular choice amongst developers. Telerik was known for its powerful backend mobile app development services which streamlined the development process.

Examples of Successful Apps Developed with Telerik

  • Scripps Networks- Utilized Telerik tools to build smooth and functional mobile interfaces.
  • KFC- The well-known fast food chain developed part of its food ordering app using the components of Telerik.

4. PhoneGap

PhoneGap, developed by Adobe and based on Apache Cordova, allows developers to build hybrid applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It provides access to the APIs of native devices and works well for apps requiring minimal native interactions.

Examples of Successful Apps Developed with PhoneGap

  • Wikipedia- The world’s largest encyclopedia app uses PhoneGap for parts of its interface.
  • TripCase- A travel management app developed using PhoneGap offering a seamless user experience.

5. Ionic

Ionic is a popular open-source framework that enables developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With integration support of Angular, React, and Vue; it offers flexibility and a rich library of UI components. Ionic’s capacitor plugin gives access to the device's native features, ensuring near-native performance. Its strong community and cost-effective development make it an ideal choice for hybrid mobile app projects.

Examples of Successful Apps Developed with Ionic

  • Untappd- A well-known social app for beer lovers, untappd has leveraged Ionic development to cater to both Android and iOS users.
  • Sworkit- A fitness app delivering personalized workout plans is developed using the Ionic framework to ensure cross-platform consistency.
  • JustWatch- A streaming search engine app developed in Ionic to ensure a seamless experience across devices.

Cross-Platform Case Studies and Success Stories

1. Instagram with React Native Powerhouse

Instagram's shift to React Native is truly remarkable. Initially, it was just a photo posting app but it has with time modified into an interactive app with millions of users engaging daily. By migrating to React Native, Instagram has seen the heights of popularity. It has achieved a smooth user experience with interactive features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV. Additionally, these features now work seamlessly across both Android and iOS platforms with minimal codebase divergence.

2. Xianyu by Alibaba with Flutter Framework

Xianyu, also known as Idle Fish, is Alibaba Group's secondhand marketplace that blends e-commerce with sustainability, allowing users to buy, sell, and exchange pre-owned goods. Built on Alibaba Cloud's serverless architecture, the platform achieves exceptional speed and stability while minimizing maintenance efforts. Xianyu also leverages Flutter to ensure a seamless and consistent experience across Android and iOS, setting a high standard for hybrid app development in large-scale applications.

iDreamers: Achieving Cross-Platform Success with WEDOWEBAPPS

iDreamers, a platform for creatives to connect and showcase their talents, partnered with WeDoWebApps to build a high-performance mobile app across Android and iOS. To optimize costs and accelerate development, the project leveraged Flutter, a cross-platform framework that enables a native-like experience using a single codebase.

By adopting this cross-platform approach, WEDOWEBAPPS delivered the app 40% more cost-efficiently compared to native development. The unified design ensured a seamless user experience across platforms, while simultaneous deployment allowed iDreamers to quickly reach a wider audience. The scalable architecture also makes it easier to roll out updates and new features.

The collaboration with WEDOWEBAPPS highlights the benefits of cross-platform development, helping iDreamers launch efficiently, enhance user engagement, and position themselves for sustainable growth in a competitive market.

contact for Cross-Platform Success

Conclusion

Cross-platform development offers a practical, efficient way to meet the growing demands of the mobile app industry. From cost savings to faster time-to-market and easier maintenance, businesses can no longer ignore the advantages of using these frameworks. React Native, Flutter, Ionic, and PhoneGap are a few best cross-platform mobile app development tools that have empowered companies to build successful apps quickly and effectively.

Ready to build your next cross-platform app?

Cross-Platform mobile app development companies like WEDOWEBAPPS specialize in tailor-made cross-platform mobile solutions that cater to your business needs. With expertise in frameworks like Flutter and React Native, we ensure high performance, seamless user experiences, and faster time-to-market for all your mobile apps.

Hire mobile app developers and unlock new possibilities with WeDoWebApps' cross-platform development solutions!