10 Best Cross-Platform Frameworks for App Development 2024

The global mobile app market is expanding rapidly as there are about 2.5 billion Android users and over 1 billion iOS users. Building an application for a specific platform can restrict to a certain number of users whether for iOS or Android and that’s a bad deal. Well, cross platform app development enable you to build apps that are ready for multiple platforms, giving you a market reach to all the smartphone users around the world. sounds great, isn’t it?

Currently, there are hundreds of cross-platform frameworks available in the market such as react native, Ionic, Xamrian and many more. In this article, we will discuss the best frameworks for cross-platform application development services. Let us begin with the history of cross-platform mobile apps.

The Rise of Cross-Platform App Development

During the 1980s, internet service was beginning to roll out. A desktop was the only way to access the online world back then. However, with the advancement of Technology, portability became one of the key factors in our lives. Users began to feel an urge for accessing the internet on the go. The advent of Smartphones and Tablets in 2012 fueled this urge. In the present generation, the smartphone in our hands is always capable of providing the same experience as a desktop.

Statista’s study on online accessibility revealed that more than 55% of online traffic is dominated by mobile users. This data was enough to justify a shift in the native mobile app developing culture. Factors such as mobile app development and mobile apps began to receive priority. The initial solution was to develop separate applications for mobile and desktop platforms.

However, the developers soon realized that this method was not only time-consuming but also exhausted the development budget. Thus, all these factors gave rise to cross-platform app development.

What is a Cross-Platform App Development Framework?

The literal meaning of the term cross-platform is a piece of software that is compatible with different computing platforms like iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows and many others. The ability of the developers to code once and implement it on multiple platforms is the motto of developing cross-platform apps.

The developers can use different programming languages to create cross platform applications with a cross-platform app development framework. Some of the most common languages include Java, JavaScript, HTML and CSS. They can also utilize certain extensions and libraries that are specific to a programming language.

List of Best Cross-Platform Frameworks

1. React Native- Best Cross-Platform Framework

Using JavaScript Framework, the developers can not only create the code but also associate a native feeling with the application. Due to this feature react-native is not only preferred by individual developers but also by large-scale custom mobile application development companies. It is one of the top frameworks in terms of class JavaScript libraries. It is trusted globally to create mobile apps. Google play store has multiple React Native apps.

Features of React Native:

• It allows app developers to create a one-time code for application development for both Android and iOS platforms.
• It is highly compatible with multiple third-party plugins such as Google Maps.
• React native makes the user interface of an application perfect. It helps the developers to create a mobile device interface that is not only easy to work with but also compelling to the end users.
• Developers can also integrate third-party plugins for better usability.

Popular Examples:

• Facebook
• Walmart

2. Ionic

Ionic is a cross-platform app Framework that works on AngularJS. The developers can use this framework to access multiple native language combinations like CSS, HTML5, JavaScript and even Cordova wrapper. Using ionic framework, the developers can not only create a beautiful user interface but also keep it simple at the same time. Ionic achieves this goal by keeping the applications dynamic and native-like.

Features of Ionic frameworks:

• This framework is created on the SAAS UI framework.
• It can add HTML syntax extensions due t its integration with AngularJS.
• It can access the device features with the help of the Cordova Plugins

Popular Examples:

• Calla
• Sanvello

3. Flutter

Flutter is probably the latest cross-platform app Framework on this entire list. This app is open source and is freely available for the development of both Android and iOS mobile apps. The dynamic and uniform approach of Flutter allows the applications to function on multiple platforms without any performance loss.

Features of flutter:

• Flutter uses GPU rendering to work flawlessly in any environment.
• This framework doesn’t require the developers to manually update the UI elements.
• Flutter has a built-in graphics Engine. It allows the developers to create separate interfaces for Android and iOS.

Popular Examples:

• BMW
• Google Pay

4. Xamarin

Xamarin is one of the streamlined Frameworks that are available in the current market. The developers primarily use this Framework for creating Android and iOS applications. It works on the .NET and C# programming languages.

Features of Xamarin:

• Xamarin allows the developers to reuse almost 90% of the existing code for developing the application on other platforms.
• Xamarin primary uses C# programming language which is a relatively new language. It supports the integration of objective-c with Java.
• This Framework also helps the developers to eliminate any hardware compatibility issues in the app.
• Xamarin not only speeds up the process of mobile application development but also helps to reduce its overall cost.

Popular Examples:

• Alaska Airlines
• Microsoft Studio

5. NativeScript

Developers who are willing to explore WORA functionality can choose NativeScript as their cross-platform app development framework. While using NativeScript, the developers also have the option to reuse the existing API plugins from npm.

Features of NativeScript :

• NativeScript Framework can create a glitch-free Stunning and accessible user interface without even implementing WebView.
• For programming, the NativeScript platform uses Typescript and Angular.
• It helps the developers to invoke multiple local strategies from libraries.
• It also supports segments like AndroidArsenal and Cocoapods.

Popular Examples:

• Daily Nanny
• ActiveLook

6. Appcelerometer

The primary goal of this cross-platform framework is to streamline the app development process with the native components that are present in the JavaScript language code.

Features of Appcelerometer:

• It provides multiple tools that help developers to improve their development speed.
• Developers can also use this tool to evaluate the quality of user interaction with the UI.
• Another major benefit of the Appcelerometer Titanium Framework is seamless integration with multiple continuous delivery systems like SCM Solutions.
• This framework also eliminates the hassle of performing any unnecessary setup process during initial integration.

Popular Examples:

• Anthem
• ADAC

7. PhoneGap

PhoneGap is probably the most significant cross-platform app development Framework for development using CSS, JavaScript and HTML5. This Framework also provides access to a cloud platform for performing testing processes on the go.

Features of PhoneGap:

• PhoneGap eliminates the hassle of maintaining an expensive physical device testing lab.
• It has an interesting community of veteran developers who are always ready to help the newbies.
• While using PhoneGap Framework, developers can gain access to embedded payment services like Apple Pay and Google pay.
• The developers also have the liberty of using the extension in a modular way with the help of the plug-in architecture.

Popular Examples:

• TripCase
• Monaca

8. Apache Cordova

Similar to PhoneGap, Apache Cordova is also an open-source platform that developers can use to develop a mobile application using CSS, HTML and JavaScript programming languages. In simple terms, we can say that this platform acts as a bridge between web applications and mobile apps.

Features of Apache Cordova:

• Apache Cordova framework provides most of the core components that the developers will require to create a properly functional mobile application.
• It will automatically create the processes and install the necessary plugins for various platforms.
• Using Apache Cordova developers can create applications that need to access the various native features like battery, contacts and camera.

Popular Example:

• Adobe
• justWatch

9. Sencha Touch

The Sencha Touch cross platform app development frameworks was released almost a decade ago and has helped developers to create countless web-based cross-platform applications. Recently Sencha Touch has merged with Ext JS. Using the Sencha Touch Framework, the developers can create efficient applications that use hardware acceleration techniques.

Features of Sencha Touch:

• The applications developed with Sencha Touch Framework are secure and properly tested. Thus, there is almost no chance for any underlying bug or glitches to interfere with the smooth User experience.
• It comes with an excellent backend data package that allows the developer to effortlessly work with data sources.
• It also provides complete compatibility between older and newer versions of an application.

Popular Examples:

• Samsung
• Nvidia

10. Codename One

Codename One is a mobile-first platform for application development. It performs cross-platform development with the help of Java and Kotlin. It is the only Framework that the developers can use to perform seamless and continuous integration during application development.

Features of Codename One:

• While using Codename One, the developers can integrate multiple Technologies and concepts into a single packet.
• The setup process only includes the installation of the Codename One plugin in the integrated development environment.
• It doesn’t come with a steep learning curve and this is very welcoming for new developers.

Popular Examples:

• BeRider
• Simplify

11. Kivy

Kivy Is a multi-platform graphical user interface development library for Android, iOS, Windows and LINUX platforms. While using the Kivy platform the developers have to perform the development process in Python programming language.

Features of Kivy:

• The core functioning of Kivy allows developers to create the application once and deploy it across multiple platforms.
• It also allows the developers to implement interactions with the application for prototyping and designing.
• The reusable nature of the code base is also beneficial for rolling out future updates and new features.
• It is also one of the most effective ways to design custom widgets for the application.

Popular Examples:

• Buildozer
• CoinTex

12. Corona

The Corona SDK platform allows developers to create two-dimensional and mobile applications for almost all popular mobile platforms including Windows and Kindle. The back-end processes in this Framework are based on Lua.

Features of Corona:

• It improves the mobile application development speed by almost ten times.
• Lua is a light and efficient programming language for creating mobile applications.
• It is one of the free frameworks that support real-time testing and can work effortlessly on Windows and Mac.

Popular Examples:

• Zip Zap
• Draw Rider Plus

13. BeeWare

BeeWare Is a suite of multiple tools and Libraries. This allows the developers to write native graphical user interface applications using the Python programming language. Python is one of those programming languages that help developers to create a rich user interface for the application.

Features of BeeWare:

• It provides multiple tools that the developers can use to analyze, debug and develop Python projects.
• The test Suite is licensed with BSD and is flexible for user modifications.
• It has a very unique approach to using native widgets and native functionality compared to the theme-based Approach.

Popular Examples:

• WPS Office
• Weatherman

14. RubyMotion

RubyMotion is the only commercial toolchain on this list. The developers can use the text editor of this Framework for developing new projects. It can also execute an iOS simulator that has a real print loop.

Features of RubyMotion:

• The developers can integrate RubyMotion with multiple third-party project managers and include objective C with it.
• The latest version of RubyMotion also allows developers to include support for the Mac OS platform.
• The RubyMotion Framework has been used to create multiple interactive iOS apps including the darkroom app.

Popular Examples:

• Darkroom
• JumpStart

Advantages of Implementing Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Cross-platform app development comes with its share of advantages to improve the application Development Industry. Let us have a look at some of the prominent advantages of this development process:

• It provides maximum exposure to the target audience to create apps. It is because the developers can create this application and deploy it on multiple platforms and even the web. The deployment process also helps to optimize the reach of a business.
• Cross-platform app development helps to massively reduce development costs. This is because the developers do not have to go through the hassle of creating individual applications for different platforms. It also uses the Agile app development processes to optimize the development time.
• The maintenance and deployment processes are very easy with cross-platform app development. The single app structure helps the developers to quickly and efficiently roll out updates and new features. Moreover, when a flaw is detected, the developers can quickly debug it on one codebase and implement it universally.
• The universal code helps developers quickly develop the application and deliver it to the customers. In this competitive app Development Industry, it is crucial to quickly deliver high-quality web applications to the end users.
• Cross-platform app development also provides seamless integration with cloud development. Using this feature, the developers can access the test page from anywhere in the world. The developers can also utilize various plugins that are usually integrated with cloud settings. So, this process also helps to indirectly improve the quality of the application.

How to Choose the Best Cross-Platform Framework?

As a developer, you must remember that nothing is perfect in the app development industry. Every Framework has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. So, the decision-making must not depend on these factors. Instead, let us list some productive factors that can help in choosing:

• Make a list of the native-like features that you want to be available in the cross-platform app development framework of your choice. You should also have an idea about hybrid app development, mobile operating systems, in-app advertising and also different platforms.
• While choosing the Framework you must have a clear idea about the future of the application. It will include all the changes and new features that your company desires to add to the application in the long run.
• Identify all the limitations of the cross-platform app development frameworks that can affect the development project. You must analyse the cross-platform development tools as well.
• Choose a Framework that has a very simple interface and a smaller learning curve. It will benefit the developers in terms of ease of operation, usability and accessibility. Moreover, try to avoid frameworks that have a long setup process. It also allows native platform controllers to be implemented for a mobile app development company. To access native platform controllers developers must first implement the hybrid mobile apps.
• You must have a clear idea about the evolution of the framework and your development needs. It will help you analyze whether the Framework will sustain itself in the competitive app Development Industry of the future. The framework must provide native libraries for building hybrid mobile apps. The native apps can also benefit from mobile app cross-platform development.

Facing the Challenges in Building Cross-Platform Apps

At the beginning of cross-platform app development in 2011, it was only limited to the development of basic mobile applications and simple games. Modern technologies have improved this process and made it more flexible, versatile and Powerful. However, the new developers must remember that cross-platform app development still faces certain issues in the following sectors:

• The communication between the native and non-native components of an application is very fragile. This inconsistency of communication can lead to certain compatibility and performance issues in the application.
• Many cross-platform app developers face obstacles while trying to implement the cross-compliance across multiple operating systems and devices. Since this is one of the core features of the development process, it might affect the productivity of the application.
• There are certain glitches in the performance of the cross-platform application. These glitches can harm the overall User experience. Thus, it leaves a bad impression on your customers.
• Cross-platform applications are not the first choice for applications that need to store sensitive user data. This is because the security considerations of these applications are quite debatable. Therefore, the users do not prefer these applications for business websites like Ecommerce.

The Final Verdict

Cross-platform app development frameworks have helped web development companies to merge convenience with excellence. The primary goal of these app development frameworks is to promote Universal compatibility while maintaining the cost efficiency of an application. The developers must analyze business requirements and the needs of the development project to choose the perfect framework. As a developer, you must remember that your ultimate goal is to maintain the utmost level of customer satisfaction.

FAQs

1. What Framework Can be Used to Develop Cross-Platform Applications?

Depending on your project requirements there are hundreds of frameworks like Flutter, Xamarin, etc. that can be used to develop cross platform applications.

2. What is the Most Used Cross-Platform Mobile Development in 2024?

In 2024, React Native and Flutter are the top names in the cross-platform app development industry.

3. What is a Cross-Platform App?

Cross-platform apps are those that can function flawlessly irrespective of the operating system or device specification.

4. What are Some Examples of Cross-Platform Apps?

Some common examples of Cross-platform apps are Instagram, Facebook, Paypal, etc.

5. Is Cross-Platform Frameworks Free?

There are many open-source cross-platform frameworks like flutter that allow you to develop apps for free.