Native Vs Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Native Vs Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Mobile is an integral part of our lives and for businesses too. Both big and small brands use mobile applications in order to enhance their performance and improve their relations with the customers. These applications facilitate their transactions and are sources of information for consumers: all needed information is found at the touch of their fingers.
Such applications work seamlessly on various platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows. Mobile app development methods are changing with time, and there are many different approaches to developing mobile applications such as Native and Cross-Platform.

In this article, we will give you a glance definition of both frameworks in addition to their pros and cons.

What is Native App Development?

Native App Development is mainly concerned with creating apps for a specific platform, such as iOS, Android, or Windows. They are created with the aim of functioning on a specific platform, using programming languages specific to that platform (most common are Objective-C or Swift for iOS and Java for Android). The code of Native App Development is written from scratch.

Pros and cons of Native App Development

Now that you know what a Native App is, it’s time to move to an essential part which is its advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of Native App Development

1. High Performance

Native apps provide exceptional performance in terms of speed, responsiveness, and operational efficiency. Because these platform-specific apps are written in core programming languages and APIs. Furthermore, they can fully utilize the device's processing speed, resulting in a shorter load time.

2. Broad Functionality

It allows access all the features of the platform for which it was designed. This results in faster execution and a better user-experience. Furthermore, native apps can function without internet access, making them the best solution for complex mobile applications.

3. Ultimate UI/UX

Native technology is your best bet for creating apps with a robust and intuitive user-experience and a consistent look and feel. Native mobile apps, which are created with native software development kits (SDKs) and are designed for a specific operating system, provide a more natural flow to their users.
Furthermore, adhering to specific guidelines allows users to perform familiar actions and gestures, and maintaining the aspect ratio ensures better visuals and control over the user interface.

4. Enhanced security and consistency

Native apps are written in the platform's core language, making them more secure and reliable.

Features like proactive security upgrades, multi-factor authentication, and remote management controls ensure the highest level of data security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Native App Development

1. It can only be used on the platform for which it was designed.
2. To reach a larger audience, an app must be developed across multiple platforms.
3. More developers with experience in each framework are needed to maintain.

What is Cross-Platform App Development?

Cross-platform app development allows you to build mobile applications using a universal language, making a single app compatible with multiple mobile platforms. The primary benefit of cross-platform development is code reusability, which simplifies the entire development process.

Pros and Cons of Cross-Platform App Development

Knowing what Cross-Platform App Development basically is, it’s time to move to its cons and pros.

Advantages of Cross-Platform App Development

1. Cost-Effective

Cross-platform app development, based on the concept of 'write once, run everywhere,' allows you to use a single codebase on multiple platforms, resulting in significant cost savings.

2. Rapid Development

Cross-Platform allows developers to reuse nearly 50-80% of the original codebase. Reusing code instead of writing it from scratch saves a significant amount of development time. As a result, you can launch perfectly functioning feature-rich business software much more quickly.

3. Faster time to market

Rapid development means a shorter time to market. Cross-platform allows you to launch a new app or roll out a new feature to both iOS and Android audiences simultaneously.

Disadvantages of Cross-platform App Development

1. Cross-platform applications fall short in terms of functionality. They have restricted access to operating system features, no access to native APIs, and do not function without an internet connection. This has an effect on the app's overall user experience.
2.  Another issue with the cross-platform app development framework is that it does not work with all third-party libraries and software development kits (SDKs). This motivates developers to devote a significant portion of their productive hours to devising alternatives so that the desired functionality can be integrated into the app.
3.  Integration is usually a problem with cross-platform apps because they are built on a one-app-fits-all approach. It is common to see that while integrating the application with the local settings, they do not integrate flawlessly with the target operating system, resulting in app failure.

Why choose Native App Development over Cross-Platform Development

Native App Development is your right choice if you want a highly responsive and fully functional app that:
1.  Has no financial constraints
2.  Works even without internet access.
3.  Caters to a specific audience, for example, you know which device your target customers use, Android only or iOS only.
4.  Will necessitate regular updates and enhancements by introducing new features and functionalities
5.  Is expected to include complex and rich-in-class features such as AR/VR, games, and so on while still providing a smooth user experience.
6.  Makes full use of all phone resources and operating system features.