This one choice can often leave enterprises in a bind. So, how should they go about it? The easy way out is to make this choice based on their target audience, IT infrastructure, product goal, business models, and other factors. Both these mobile app development platforms have their merits and demerits. However, there is no denying the fact that making the right choice will have far-reaching implications in terms of application development cost, functionality, and time taken to develop an application. This article will explore the pros and cons of these two mobile app development platform opponents to help enterprises make the right choice.
What is Native App Mobile Development?
This is a process of developing applications that can operate on specific devices and mobile app platforms such as iOS and Android. For the Android platform, developers use Java or Kotlin and iOS developers use Swift or Objective-C. Developers use the native-to-the-operating-system programming language to build applications that run on a particular media device such as smartphones, desktops, smart TV, and others.
Pros of Native App Development Platform
Here’s looking at the top 4 pros of the native app development platform:
High-Speed Application
Native applications are built using core programming APIs and languages. Such applications do not involve any complex coding structures, unlike cross-platform applications. This feature helps to reduce the application loading time. These applications utilize a device’s processing speed on which they run. This further minimizes the application load time.
Better User Experience
The fact that a native application is built for a particular operating system contributes to a superior app user experience. Built using native software development kits, native applications are aligned with the principles of a specific OS. This means that users interact with these applications just like the way they are acclimatized with other applications on that specific OS.
Minimal Bugs
Dependence on a single codebase significantly reduces the chances of bugs during developing a native application. Developers use new software development kits with the latest features to develop native applications. This further keeps application bugs at bay.
Better Security
Native application development involves different technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and others. This ensures better application security for users.
When Should Enterprises Choose the Native Mobile App Development Platform?
- If an enterprise is into the games and animations business and wishes to build a high-end and complex application that includes features like AR, VR, and others.
- A native application is a good fit if enterprises target a certain set of audiences to deliver complex applications that leverage all the OS features. Such applications are updated regularly and provide cutting-edge user experiences.
- Enterprises can choose native application development platforms if they are not aiming for quick product launches.
- Start-up and medium-sized enterprises must factor in their budget before choosing a native application development platform. The cost of developing native applications is typically higher than a cross-platform mobile application.
What is Cross Platform Mobile App Development?
Cross-platform development is the process of building applications that run across multiple platforms which are Android and iOS. React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin are the tools that develop applications that can run on both iOS and Android. Among these tools, Xamarin mobile application development has gained prominence as it helps to impart a native look and feel into a cross-platform mobile application.
Pros of Cross Platform Mobile App Development Platform
Here’s looking at the top 4 pros of the cross platform mobile app development platform:
Faster Development
Developers write a single code that is translated into multiple native codes for an application to run on different platforms. This ability accelerates the development process. Easy access to plug-ins further simplifies the application development process.
Ability to Reuse Codes
The ability to reuse codes eliminates the task of deploying and maintaining multiple codes for different operating systems. This is a great resource and time saver.
Low Development Cost
Enterprises require to invest only on a single team of developers. They create a unique code that drives applications to run on both iOS and Android operating systems.
Easy Maintenance
The involvement of a single codebase makes it easy for developers to conduct all maintenance-related tasks on an application. Such tasks include testing and deploying upgrades and fixing bugs to ensure superior app functionality.
When Should Enterprises Choose the Cross Platform Mobile App Development Platform?
- Enterprises can partner with a cross platform app development company if the former is not looking for an application packed with complex animations and logic. It is suited for applications that are purely informative.
- Cross platform application is the best idea if an enterprise has very limited time to create, test a product prototype, and then launch the final product.
- If the focus is on developing a cross-platform application with a native look and feel, cross-platform app development platform can still be a choice. This is made possible by the Xamarin app development framework. It provides access to native tools and APIs to build a single application that can mimic the properties of multiple platforms.
Parting Note
Whether enterprises choose a native application development platform to develop a complex application or a cross-platform app development platform to create a simple content-sharing app, the user experience will ultimately determine the competitiveness of both these applications. Therefore, if an enterprise has doubts about its in-house developer’s team to create applications with the desired user experience, it is best to partner with third-party experts. They have professionals with domain expertise and leverage the most advanced tools to create applications that are thoroughly aligned with consumers’ evolving expectations. Such third-party vendors can also counsel enterprises on the best-suited app development network. This will not only expedite the app development process but will also ensure a boost in ROI from the app development project.
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