Top 10 Best Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks

Did you know? There are over 6 billion smartphone users worldwide, and about 5 billion have access to the internet. Therefore, having access to the internet means access to mobile applications.

Undoubtedly, these mobile applications have become a vital part of our lives. With a rise in mobile app users, the demand for mobile app development is in the heat of the moment. But before understanding the ropes of it, you have to understand the ongoing mobile development frameworks.

There are several aspects to consider, in order to understand the development procedure that you may find overwhelming.

Currently, every other mobile app development company is trying their hands on cross-platform app development frameworks.

Well, Cross-platform app development has gained popularity with its caliber to excel in the fierce market. With cross-platform app development frameworks, the cost can be reduced by 30-40% and time by half. About 50-80% of coding can be reused later by the developers.

Popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Skype, and Airbnb are the most successful cross-platform applications in the market.

Stick around, because in this blog we will dig deeper into the best desktop organizer “cross-platform” and its best mobile development frameworks like React Native, Flutter, Node.js, etc.

What Is A Cross Platform App Development Framework? 

Cross-platform mobile apps can work on different types of devices like iPhones, Android phones, and Windows devices. Instead of coding separately for each type, you can use a cross-platform development framework that doesn’t affect your development costs.

Choosing cross-platform apps is great because these apps can run on multiple devices, which helps you reach a wider audience. Today, every other startup and well-known big brand is popularly using a cross-platform approach. It helps them solve mobile app development problems effectively by ensuring a uniform user experience across all platforms.

Now, Read this guide on cross-platform app development for a deep understanding.

10 Best Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks In 2023

Here, we’ll talk about the best tools for making apps that work on different devices and help developers make efficient apps with reusable parts.

React Native

Do you ever wonder if React Native is an apt choice for mobile app development?

Yes! It’s an open-source framework by Facebook for making iOS and Android apps. It uses JavaScript for app logic but gives you fully native user interfaces. React Native is trusted by businesses and developers alike due to its impressive features, making it a preferred platform for app development.

In React Native cross-platform apps, you can tap into native tools for heavy tasks like editing images or processing videos, even if they’re not in the framework. It’s got a strong community and handy code editors for future app tweaks!

Common Apps Using React Native 

• Facebook: Uses React Native, showcasing its scalability.
• Instagram: Delivers a smooth user experience with high performance.
• Bloomberg: Demonstrates React Native’s versatility for data-rich apps.

Key Advantages of React Native for Cross-Platform Development

• React Native is open-source and has a strong community for support and improvement.
• Cross-platform development allows one-time coding for Android and iOS.
• This reduces development time and costs significantly.
• React Native seamlessly integrates with third-party plugins like Google Maps.
• Emphasizes UI, ensuring a responsive and smooth user interface.

Flutter

Flutter is a top cross-platform app development framework for Android and iOS, allowing developers to use one codebase for various platforms, including Web, Windows, and Linux.

Google introduced it in 2017, enabling rapid app development for Android and iOS. Flutter ensures consistency and flexibility across multiple platforms, making it a preferred choice among developers for its outstanding features.

Flutter stands out by compiling directly into machine code, improving performance and startup times compared to frameworks using JavaScript bridges.

Common Apps Using Flutter 

• Google Ads app: Demonstrates Flutter’s ability for complex data apps.
• Hamilton app: Shows Flutter’s versatility for multimedia-rich experiences.
• Alibaba app: Exemplifies Flutter’s suitability for e-commerce apps.

Key Advantages of Flutter for Cross-Platform Development

• Flutter offers portable GPU rendering for modern interfaces.
• It has a reactive framework that updates the UI automatically when variables change.
• Ideal for quick and cost-effective Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development.
• Simplifies widget tree restructuring and code adjustments.
• Includes an integrated graphic engine, eliminating the need for separate Android and iOS interfaces.

Ionic

Ionic is a standout cross-platform app framework rooted in AngularJS. It empowers developers to harness the power of HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS, coupled with Cordova’s capabilities for native platform integration. This dynamic duo enables the creation of visually captivating user interfaces and the seamless integration of user-friendly features. The result? Apps are not only highly interactive but also boast a native-like experience, making Ionic an ideal choice for Progressive Web App development.

Common Apps Using Ionic 

• MarketWatch: Real-time stock data, news, and portfolios in a user-friendly interface.
• Sworkit: Customizable workouts for effective fitness goals.

Key Advantages of Ionic for Cross-Platform Development

• Ionic is open-source and flexible for developers.
• It competes with React Native.
• Ionic is built for mobile OS with many UI components.
• It’s based on AngularJS for extending HTML.
• Uses Cordova plugins for device features.
• Provides a native-like experience on different platforms.

Cordova

Cordova, once known as PhoneGap, is like a buddy for app developers. With this nifty framework, you can craft mobile apps using your trusty web tools, like CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript. It’s like having your web skills handy while you dive into mobile app creation. Cordova’s magic lies in its cross-platform prowess, allowing you to write one codebase and effortlessly tap into device hardware like GPS and camera through plugins for a native-like experience.

Plus, it integrates seamlessly with third-party app management tools, streamlining app distribution and maintenance. This means you can build once and deploy across various platforms, making your app development journey a breeze.

Common Apps Using Cordova

• Untappd: Cordova for beer lovers’ social app.
• HealthTap: Cordova for telehealth and healthcare apps.
• FanReact: Cordova for real-time sports fan engagement.

Key Advantages of Ionic for Cross-Platform Development

• Reach a broader audience with effortless cross-platform compatibility.
• Accelerate development using the power of web technologies.
• Harness device capabilities to create feature-rich, high-performance apps.
• Join a vibrant community with robust support and extensive documentation.
• Seamlessly blend web technologies into your app for a harmonious user experience.

Unity

Unity is a powerhouse for crafting mobile apps, notably games for Android and iOS. It’s renowned for being user-friendly and highly effective. But it’s not just about gaming; it’s your go-to for animation, architectural design, and even crafting movie scenes.

What sets Unity apart is its sleek and efficient interface. You can easily drag and drop elements like images and buttons without needing advanced coding skills like XML. So, Unity simplifies app and game development for everyone, even if you’re not a coding expert.

Common Apps Built Using Unity

Pokémon GO: The hugely popular augmented reality mobile game was developed using Unity. Players explore the real world to find and capture Pokémon.

Angry Birds 2: Rovio Entertainment used Unity to develop the sequel to their iconic Angry Birds game.

Major Benefits of Unity for Cross-Platform Development

• Choose a graphics engine that optimizes your gaming experience.
• Look for one that excels at rendering both 2D and 3D scenes in cross-platform apps.
• Consider an engine with built-in analytics for valuable game insights.
• Prefer engines with user-friendly drag-and-drop settings for code-free app development.

Xamarin

Xamarin is your answer for smooth cross-platform app development. It simplifies the process, helping you build great apps for Android, iOS, and Windows. It makes the most of each device’s abilities for a top-notch user experience. You can use your preferred tools and libraries, access native features, and add 2D graphics. With Xamarin, you can create high-quality, consistent apps on different platforms, making it a smart choice for app projects.

Common Apps Built Using Xamarin

Microsoft Outlook: Xamarin’s native feel ensures smooth navigation.

Skype: Cross-platform compatibility for chatting and calls.

Pinterest: User-friendly interface for pinning and sharing ideas.

Major Benefits of Ionic for Cross-Platform Development

• Xamarin uses C#, a powerful cross-platform language, making it easier than ever to create apps.
• Enjoy native-level functionality, reducing hardware compatibility issues with plugins and APIs.
• Link with native libraries for customization, offering top-notch Android app development.
• Easily integrate Objective-C, Java, and C++ libraries, reusing third-party codebases.
• Benefit from robust compile-time checking, resulting in fewer runtime errors.

Native Script 

NativeScript is an open-source cross-platform framework that creates apps with a native look and performance for iOS and Android. It uses JavaScript to interact with the same native APIs used in platforms like Xcode and Android Studio. With a thriving developer community, it promotes speedy app development through code reuse.

NativeScript is an excellent choice for “Write Once, Run Anywhere” (WORA) functionality, and it grants access to all native APIs. Developers can easily incorporate existing plugins from NPM into their projects, making it a preferred tool for efficient and native-like app development.

Common Apps Using Native Script

• PUMA: Provides an engaging shopping experience.
• MobilePay: Simplifies mobile payments and transfers.

Key Advantages of Native Script for Cross-Platform Development

• NativeScript creates beautiful, platform-native user interfaces without WebViews.
• Write code once, and it adapts to run on multiple platforms, with customization options for different devices.
• Comes with a rich set of plugins for various solutions, reducing the need for third-party tools.
• Developers can access native Android and iOS APIs without needing to learn native development languages.
• Uses Angular and TypeScript for programming, making it developer-friendly.
• Integrates with popular development tools and libraries for added functionality.

Node.js

Node.js is a versatile tool that goes beyond server-side tasks, revolutionizing cross-platform app development. It’s renowned for its server-side capabilities but is equally adept at powering mobile and desktop applications. Node.js is like a superhero for cross-platform app development. It’s open-source and can handle big tasks while staying fast and responsive.

What makes Node.js special is its treasure chest of JavaScript modules. They make building web apps a breeze, even if you’re new to this. In the business arena, it’s a game-changer, unleashing the power of cost-effective, efficient, and mighty cross-platform app solutions.

Common Apps Using Node.js

LinkedIn:

• Node.js is used for the mobile backend.
• Node.js powers real-time features.

PayPal:

• Node.js is employed for secure and efficient transaction processing and handling.

Common Apps Using Sencha Node.js 

• Node.js APIs are asynchronous, meaning they don’t block the server while waiting for data from APIs.
• Node.js uses a notification mechanism to receive responses from previous API calls.
• Node.js is fast due to its use of Chrome’s V8 engine.
• Cross-platform Node.js apps output data in chunks instead of buffering.
• Node.js employs a single-threaded model with event looping to ensure smooth and scalable applications.
• This event mechanism allows the server to respond in a non-blocking way.

Sencha Touch

Sencha Touch, around for almost a decade, is great for building web-based cross-platform apps. It’s known for making apps efficient by using hardware acceleration techniques. With Sencha Touch, developers can create reliable UI components and libraries, making it easy to build and maintain large business apps.

Sencha Ext JS, on the other hand, is a cross-platform framework for creating HTML5 apps for desktops, tablets, and mobiles. It uses the Ext JS JavaScript library and provides tools for developing, testing and deploying mobile apps. It’s especially handy for crafting data-rich business apps and real-time web applications.

Common Apps Using Sencha Touch 

• Salesforce Mobile: Salesforce’s mobile app, is used for customer relationship management and sales automation.
• American Red Cross: The American Red Cross app provides information and tools for emergency preparedness and disaster response.

Key Advantages of Sencha Touch for Cross-Platform Development

• Sencha Touch stands out for its stylish, native-like themes on Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and more.
• Enjoy an efficient backend data package that’s compatible with various data sources.
• Celebrated for its Cordova integration, enabling seamless access to native APIs and app packaging.
• Ensure smooth transitions between old and new code with Sencha Touch.

• Get creative with 50+ customizable, built-in UI widgets, including lists, carousels, forms, menus, and toolbars, all designed for mobile platforms.

Appcelerator Titanium

Appcelerator is your secret weapon for crafting mobile apps that shine on both iOS and Android devices without writing separate code. It is an easy tool that streamlines app development, thanks to its use of JavaScript, a language almost everyone speaks in the tech world.

This tool helps you create apps speedily and with less effort, while seamlessly harnessing the unique powers of each platform. Using this framework is like having a productivity boost for your business, saving you precious time and resources in the world of mobile app creation.

Common Apps Using Appcelerator Totanium 

SkyScanner uses Appcelerator Titanium for its mobile app, offering users a seamless travel booking experience for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Key Advantages of Appcelerator Titanium for Cross-Platform Development

• Appcelerator provides tools for quick app development, making it easy to create prototypes to test user interaction with the user interface.
• It has ArrowDB, a data store that simplifies data model deployment without extra setup.
• You can integrate it with existing continuous delivery systems like source code management solutions.
• Appcelerator comes with pre-built connectors for various services, including MS Azure, MS SQL, Salesforce, and many more.

Summing Up! 

As a leading cross-platform app development company to hire, we carefully assess the top contenders in this competitive field. We closely monitor how these frameworks perform in the ever-evolving market alongside emerging solutions.

At Developers Pool, our carefully picked developer’s expertise lies in creating exceptional apps that set industry standards. App development frameworks are the backbone of simplified and innovative development, and we take pride in our technology-agnostic approach, tailoring each project to its unique requirements, timelines, and budgets.

Our mission is to help clients establish deeper connections with their customers through mobile apps.

Connect and hire Application Development Experts to explore the best app development frameworks and elevate your next project to new heights. Your success is our priority.