Mobile App Development: Choose the Best Between Cross-Platform & Native Apps

Native app development versus cross-platform app development is subject to a lengthy discussion. There are proven pros and cons of each approach to mobile app development as both of them continue evolving. So it is crucially important to check once in a while which one is the best at the allocated period of time.

When choosing between the two most popular approaches everyone should take into account a number of factors including the benefits and flaws of each mobile app development method for app owners, app developers, and most importantly - for app users. While mobile app developers have a huge scope of requirements for development tools, in this article we will focus on satisfying the demands of app owners and app users.

Read also: Mobile App vs Mobile Website: What to Choose For Business?

So let's go further to see which way is the best - cross-platform or native app development!

What is Cross-Platform App Development?

Cross-platform apps are mobile applications that have a single codebase and run smoothly on multiple platforms whether it's iOS or Android. Mobile app developers usually use such tools as React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, etc. to develop cross-platform apps.

Benefits of Cross-Platform Apps

Let's see the benefits cross-platform apps hold:

• Code Reusability. Around 80 percent of the code can be shared and adapted across various devices. It simplifies the application development process and improves the speed of app development.
• Cost- and Time-Efficiency. As cross-platform development goes by the “write once, run anywhere” principle, it allows adjusting the already existing code for various platforms. It greatly improved the time spent on development.
• Wide audience reach. It helps to open a broader audience and new markets.
• Small team. There is no need to hire a development team - one developer is enough.

Drawbacks of Cross-Platform Apps

There are certain limitations that cross-platform apps experience:

• Performance. Some delays in performance are the usual factor.
• Third-party libraries. Due to the limited support of other libraries and SDKs developers struggle to search for ways to integrate the necessary features in the app.

There are many popular apps created with a cross-platform approach. Among them are Facebook Ads Manager, Slack, UberEats, etc.

What is Native App Development?

Native app development requires writing code for a specific platform. It means that developers take into consideration the distinctive characteristics of each platform so they need to create different codebases for iOS, Android, or any other platform.

The main tools iOS app developers use are Objective-C and Swift, while Android developers utilize Java or Kotlin.

Benefits of Native Apps

This is how native development can bring benefits to your app:

• Performance. Native apps are built specifically for a certain platform so they take the full capacity of the device's functionality and deliver steady work, quick operating speed, and smooth performance.
• User experience. Native apps guarantee excellent UX/UI design and great user experience prospects. This way, users understand how to navigate within the app more easily and quickly.
• Built-in Compatibility. Native applications get easily integrated with the device's hardware: camera, GPS, touch screen, calendar, etc.
• Easy to launch in the App Store. Native iOS apps fit with the App store guidelines much more easily compared to other types of apps. The same with Android apps for Google Play Market. 
• Security. Native apps especially iOS applications are properly checked by the App store for data protection parameters so they provide enhanced security and reliability for users.
• Simple Update. It is easier to implement new complex features upon the market needs compared to other types of apps. The innovations may include the integration of artificial intelligence, IoT, or big data processing elements.
• Offline Mode. Users of native apps do not necessarily need an Internet connection to use a native app. It is only required for specific functionalities.
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SDK for developers. Native app development may be streamlined with half-ready, frequently updated pieces of code and libraries. It provides properly operating features and makes the app development process faster saving the app development costs.

Read also: The Best Practices to Mitigate Web and Mobile App Security Threats

Drawbacks of Native Apps

Flaws happen. Here are some major cons of native development:

• Separate Codebase. The app for each platform should be developed from scratch using different programming tools that require specific developers.
• High Initial Cost. You can either develop only one app or need to invest in the development of two separate apps for iOS and Android. Surely, initially, it will cost you twice as much.

So, Native vs Cross-Platform: The Winner Revealed!

Each project requires a specific solution. Let's see who takes the lead upon major mobile app parameters!

Performance

Native apps use the device's resources to the fullest therefore they work stable, fast, and responsively.

The one-app-fits-all approach that cross-platform apps are based on, play against them as they are more likely to have performance issues.

Winner: Native development.

Features

Native apps are greatly compatible with the built-in device's functionality.

Cross-platform apps in turn have limited access to API so need to integrate third-party implementations.

Winner: Native development.

Customers Reach

Native apps are developed for one platform at a time so each one extends business services only to the users of one platform.

Cross-platform apps deliver apps for several platforms at a time so the target audience is much bigger.

Winner: Cross-platform development.

Development Time & Cost

With native development, it is required to develop a separate app for each platform so in the case of iOS and Android it takes almost twice as much time for app production. Accordingly, the cost is also higher.

Cross-platform apps share the same codebase and need only around 20% of adaptation per each platform. But if it is necessary to integrate with a native device's features it may take more time compared to native development. Additionally, bug fixing may take more time due to performance issues, etc.

Winner: Depends on the project requirements.

User Experience

According to recent research, 86 percent of consumers are ready to pay more for a better customer experience. It also reflects on customer loyalty - users are more likely to continue using the app and purchase goods or pay for services of the brand that takes care of customer experience.

Native apps offer great design, better performance, higher interaction speed, intuitive app utilization.

Cross-platform solutions can not satisfy the demands of all platforms at once so may not provide the desired user experience.

Winner: Native development.

Security

With full compatibility with the native device's functionality and support from each App Store, native apps protect their users more accurately.

Cross-platform apps can not guarantee such data protection as it is hard to cover all aspects of multiple platforms.

Winner: Native development.

As you can see, quality solutions may not always be more expensive but will definitely win the hearts of any business customers. Because people like to be treated well!

Read also: How Mobile Apps Can Boost Your eCommerce Sales

What Popular Apps Are Native And How Do They Perform

The native app development approach is chosen by many popular brands. Think about a few: Twitter, Telegram, LinkedIn, PokemonGo, Google Maps. All of them create mobile apps separately for iOS and Android platforms. They understand how competitive the mobile app market is and try to satisfy demanding users from the start. Due to research, 80 percent of mobile users will most likely never use an app if they find even a little performance issue. 

Even the biggest brands try different approaches and finally choose the most trustworthy one. The story relates to the Airbnb app. The company has spent almost two years on the development of advanced native functionality with React Native. Their expectations were high as they wanted to implement such features as parallax scrolling, transitions, and other complex things that a cross-platform framework couldn’t provide initially. After all, they've got back to native iOS and Android app development.

Read also: How to Build a Mobile App Startup that Actually Makes Money

Our development team supports this tendency to native development and has already developed a wide range of native apps for our clients - just take a look at our mobile portfolio. Yours could be next!

Conclusions

With an evolving tendency to satisfy the demands of users in the first place, native apps show better performance, higher security, and awesome user experience results thus they guarantee a tremendous customer experience so valued these days.

Surely, the ultimate decision completely lies on the app owners’ shoulders as only they decide on their business goals and can define how much effort they are ready to put into their product.

If your business needs a bigger audience reach, a lightweight version of the app, and lower expenses, cross-platform app development may be the best match for you.

But if you wish to create a solid product of the best possible quality from the start, a native app is your only solution!

Need a quality solution for your business? Let's create a mobile app that will charm your customers once and for all!