In today’s fast-paced digital world, countless devices are running multiple operating systems across the globe. To reach a large number of audiences, we should publish mobile applications on multiple platforms, which is possible through Cross-platform app development.
Over the decade, Cross-platform development has become one of the most useful software development trends. Following the cross-platform approach enables developers to create applications for multiple platforms with the same code, thus reducing time, cost and unnecessary effort.
The global mobile apps market reached to 106.27 billion dollars in 2018, and further growth of trends is likely to push the worldwide market to 407.31 billion dollars by 2026.
Cross-platform mobile application development is the process of developing mobile apps that can be published or deployed on multiple platforms using just a single codebase, without having to build app various times using native technologies for every platform.
Initially, the complexity of mobile applications development has made it difficult to build a backend that works on multiple platforms. Although it is expensive and time consuming, creating native applications for each mobile operating system (OS) is simple and easy.
Have a look at the below statistics on cross-platform development frameworks that were used by mobile application developers across the world in the years 2019 and 2020.
Why Choose Cross-Platform For Mobile App Development?
If you use a cross-platform for mobile application development, there are many reasons why you may benefit. The world has invested heavily in cross-platform application development.
Let’s give you some major benefits of choosing cross-platform app development as your service.
- Reusable Code:
When it comes to app development industry, cross-platform mobile app development attracts attention with its code re-usability advantage. It enables the best mobile app developers to write native code simultaneously for multiple operating platforms and systems with hassle-free. There is no need to develop another dedicated application for each platform.
As the code is reusable for each platform, this cross-platform will save effort and time for mobile application developers.
- Cost-effective:
In cross-platform application development, code can be reused for multiple platforms. Therefore, it enables you to save on the cost of operating multiple developers on a different version of your application. The firm does not need to spend on several technologies and tools.
They need to focus on this particular platform along with their resources. At the same time cost, you get an app that works on all platforms.
- Faster App Development:
Everyone knew that cross-platform application is one of the fast mobile application development processes. This saves time during the development process, as the cross platform iOS, Android mobile apps are only implemented with one code for development. Therefore, it expands the market pace from market to market.
- Convenience:
Cross-platform developing tools will save you the hassle of learning multiple programming languages
- Maintainable Code:
Whenever you update or modify your application, once you should update your code and the modifications will be synchronized and reflected in all applications across different platforms.
- Market Reach:
If you publish your application on multiple platforms like Android and iOS, it will broadcast a wider network and improves the chances of having a larger user base and consequently gives higher revenues and higher ROI.
Now, we will be discussing some of the crucial and most popular tools that help developing cross platforms apps.
Languages Used In Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Although there is a single code for different platforms, there are multiple programming languages
1) Java:
It is one of the foremost, object-oriented, easily manageable and compiled programming language. Until switching to Cotlin, it was the primary language for native Android app development.
2) JavaScript:
The most used, interactive, and dynamic, and object-oriented scripting language. Nowadays, JavaScript is using for creating any mobile application, on any potential platform, both server and client side. There is access to use JavaScript language as the main scripting language in conjunction with the declarative QML language.
3) HTML:
HTML is the popular language that defines both websites and web application interfaces. With hybrid development frameworks and PWAs, it has also become relevant for mobile applications.
4) Python:
It is one language that is commonly used in for writing any scripts. It is adored by embedded software experts and AI developers. Recently, it has acquired popularity in several other areas.
5) C++
One of the most important languages, regardless of age, to date is the C++. If you need maximum performance and control, C ++ is best preferable. You can use C ++ along with QML / JavaScript if you want to do so. It can also be very useful for certain use-cases or to integrate with existing libraries and services.
6) Ruby
This programming language was designed and developed in Japan in the mid-1990s. Ruby is a mobile-specific programming language with some elements such as General-Purpose, Interpreted, Reflective, and Object-Oriented.
10 Popular Cross Platform Tools for Building Mobile Apps in 2020:
#1 Xamarin
Xamarin is one of the best cross-platform app development platforms that enable developers to build applications for various mobile devices like Windows, iOS and Android. It includes native API access, native user interface across platforms, and native performance. The famed brands like UPS, Fox Sports Channel have used it to create applications that work on major mobile platforms.
#2 Appcelerator
Accelerator is a business-focused cross platform mobile development tool that allows developers to write JavaScript with its composite MVC framework. The use of JavaScript helps, as most of the software developers are familiar with this language.
This tool also provides a virtual private cloud facility for customers, which is amazing if you work with company’s sensitive data. In addition, the enterprise has dedicated infrastructure, performance management and monitoring, and product analytics.
#3 Adobe PhoneGap
PhoneGap is a well recognized cross-platform development tool in the software development industry. At present, the Adobe-owned tool is depending on the open-source apache cordova project and is user friendly and free of cost, which may be the reason for its popularity. This cross platform app development framework provides you access to the Phonegap Toolset, which enables you to venture into the global market quickly.
PhonneGap uses CSS, HTML and JavaScript to develop cross platform apps by just using a single code base. Once completion of app development, you no need to manage local SDKs. The PhoneGap Build service will only take care of all the things by compiling your whole work on the cloud.
#4 React Native
React Native cross-platform tool enables to develop native or hybrid app, by using JavaScript programming language. The best things of React Native is that we can do video processing and photo editing that is not possible with other API frameworks, and developers can also write modules in programming languages like C, Java and Swift.
This tool describes your source code and changes it to native elements in a short span. Popular Social Media platforms Instagram and Facebook have used this tool to create or build native apps.
#5 RedHat
The Red Hat platform, formerly known as FeedHenry, was bought by the company for .5 63.5 million. RedHat provides a mobile backend as a cross-app development platform and service platform that allows users to build and run mobile apps on both Google play and iOS app stores.
The company also partnered with some tech giants such as Rackspace and AWS and associated with some large clients such as Airline Aer Lingus.
#6 Sencha
Sencha provides a wide variety of tools for application development of cross-platforms such as Sencha Animator, Sencha Architect, etc. Ext JS5 is an essential product for business users, which allows the developer team to develop HTML5 applications that can also be changed into native applications with the tool, PhoneGap. This will enable its apps to work on both touch-based devices and browsers to give great user experience.
HTML5 focused approach allows its applications to run on browsers as well as the latest touch-based devices. Samsung, Google, and CNN are some of the MNC companies that used Sencha tool.
#7 Alpha Software
Alpha software is the best solution for organizations. The main objective of this smartphone app development tools is to create business applications for employee use. If the firm does not provide smart phones to its employees, it is a secure assumption that everyone should be using a variety of platforms. That’s the reason the enterprise required cross-platform for mobile and web development apps.
Field research, Work orders, Event reports Medical forms, Signature capture, Equipment inspections, Safety checklists, Service dispatch, etc. are some of the attracting features of Alpha Software. Awfully, Alpha Software gives its users a free trial for 30 days.
#8 Kony Quantum
One of the easiest ways to develop mobile applications for multiple platforms is Koni Quantum. It is best because of having a visual canvas with in-built components to select from many. You can also use Koni tool to improve existing apps and to develop a new one.
Koni Quantum is excellent for developers who have less experience. They offer single-click cloud structures and guided tours throughout the development process. It is easy to consolidate the data and finally, it will be placed on a visual data map to enhance productivity levels.
#9 Ionic
Ionic is a powerful HTML5 SDKs cross-platform tool that primarily enables you to develop native feel mobile and web based applications using trending technologies like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. This SDK focuses mainly on the appearance and UI components interaction of the application. This is one of the best cross platform mobile development frameworks that offer typography, interactive paradigms, pre-designed components, and fantastic themes.
This multi platform app development tool is easy to understand and use and it will use various APIs including Async, Virtual DOM, JSX, TypeScript, which are the perfect match for the PWA (Progressive Web App). Some of the famous applications that are developed on Ionic are like Nationwide, Nationwide, Pacific, etc.
#10 Corona
Last but not least, Corona is another cross-platform which is ideal for developing apps and games for desktop, TV and obviously for smart phones using only one codebase. This android ios development tools fastens the coding procedure and helps to update quickly and check the output instantly on virtual devices.
Corona is free of cost and is preferable for 2D games as it’s perfect to use for high-speed games development and high-quality graphics.
Final Thoughts
Yes, your business application should be available on as many as possible platforms to reach a large number of audiences. But creating attractive and innovative apps for each and every platform specific is really time taking and expensive.
Don’t think much! Just take advantage of the afore-mentioned top 10 cross platform development tools for building Window, iOS and Andriod mobile apps. As I said earlier, Cross-platform app development tools are ideal for saving time, cost and unnecessary effort.
Cross-platform mobile app developers like FuGenx Technologies develop and deliver sought-after mobile applications for Android, iOS, Windows and other trending platforms. FuGenx is an ideal choice of startups, SMBs and Fortune 500 companies for mobile app development.
Contact us today! We are ready to shape your idea into a revolutionary mobile app.
