When it came to web and mobile app development, native applications ruled until the rise of cross-platform mobile app development tools. Native programs deliver optimal performance on the platform for which they were originally designed.

However, applications and solutions built using cross-platform technology offer consistent behaviors for users across multiple platforms. They encourage the usage of cutting-edge technology while substantially reducing the expense of producing software for each platform separately.

Cross-platform mobile app development is beneficial to businesses in countless other ways. There are, however, drawbacks to using these apps.

In this post, we will shed light on both pros and cons of cross-platform mobile applications.

So, let’s begin…

Pros & Cons of Cross Platform Mobile App Development

Pros of Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

1. Reusable source code

One of the greatest advantages of cross-platform programming is that it allows developers to reuse code across multiple mobile platforms.

Cross-platform apps share a single codebase between many platforms, unlike native app development. It is common practice for two developers or teams to work independently when creating a native app.

The source code for a customized mobile application and the mobile application best practices remain the same. Because of this, the developers just need to learn and use only one technology stack for each mobile platform/operating system.

2. Reduced complexity and increased speed of implementation.

Developers can focus on one technology stack and explore its benefits without learning other stacks for cross-platform mobile applications. In addition, a unified codebase also speeds up mobile application deployment across several platforms.

3. Cost-effective programming

Cross-platform applications are roughly 30% to 40% less expensive than developing iOS and Android apps independently. It is because there is only one project to manage.

Moreover, most of the code and other assets can be shared between iOS and Android. As a result, the overall cost for each platform is less as compared to developing native mobile apps.

4. Time-saving endeavor

Another best advantage of cross-platform programming is the time that developers end up saving. It is because cross-platform mobile app development tools allow developers to create apps for multiple platforms at once.

In addition, developers can use a single codebase for iOS and Android with cross-platform solutions. As a result of this, the process of developing new versions is significantly faster.

5. Helps increase revenue

The end goal of any app project should be to boost earnings. Plus, this is a breeze to accomplish with cross-platform mobile app development.

Cross-platform solutions have a larger user base because they may be used on multiple devices and operating systems. As a result, the app can be made available on a wider variety of mobile devices, perhaps increasing its overall exposure.

Everything taken together, the app’s earning potential rises in comparison to when it was only available on one system.

6. Consistent user experience across all platforms

It is imperative for businesses to have a consistent user experience across all platforms, and this is made feasible when a single development team works off of a shared codebase.

As an added bonus, it permits a “smooth user experience,” switching between gadgets like computers, tablets, and smartphones.

7. Addresses a larger crowd

Choosing the right platform for your mobile app (Android or iOS) can be difficult at first. Of course, there is a cost associated with developing an app. However, by developing a cross-platform mobile app, you can reach a far larger audience from the start.

8. Compatibility across different platforms

There are distinctions between iOS and Android in terms of interface navigation and design. For the most part, common UI variations are automatically taken care of while developing for many platforms. Even an incredibly cohesive team may disagree on native development function implementation.

Moreover, maintaining enterprise applications across platforms can be difficult due to the time, QA work, and financial costs involved. All of these obstacles are removed by cross-platform mobile apps, which make app creation for mobile devices a breeze.

Let’s now take a look at the cons inherent in creating cross-platform mobile applications.

Cons of Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

1. Less adaptability compared to native apps.

However, the adaptability of a platform-specific stack is superior to that of a unified technological stack.

This means that, in most cases, cross-platform solutions lack the tight integration with the platform and device enjoyed by their native counterparts.

2. Functional incompatibility between the two platforms.

You may also run into trouble due to inconsistencies in the user interface and the user experience across platforms and operating systems. It is because different platforms have different functionalities. For example, iOS, the operating system used by iPhones, is closed-source, whereas Android operating systems are open-source.

3. Designing Code Becomes More Difficult.

Since there are so many differences across devices and platforms, cross-platform apps need to tailor their aesthetics and features to each.

This results in greater work for developers who must account for unique cases across a wide range of devices and platforms, especially when it comes to more sophisticated capabilities.

Since these difficulties arise less frequently with native apps, developers can put their attention where it really matters: on the concerns of their end users.

4. Weaker efficiency and dependability.

One of the drawbacks of creating mobile apps that may run on multiple platforms is weaker efficiency. There will be less room for development and efficiency gains if designs can’t be tweaked easily.

An application’s functionality relies heavily on its performance. The speed difference between native software and a cross-platform app with the same capabilities can be rather significant.

If all else is equal, native apps will always perform better than their cross-platform counterparts in terms of speed, reliability, security, and efficiency!

5. More challenging programming frameworks.

Cross-platform mobile apps must address the specific characteristics of each device and the wide range of platform contexts in which they operate.

Developers must cater to distinct scenarios across several devices and operating systems with more complicated functionality.

Native apps don’t have enough faults to detour developers from fixing consumers’ problems.

6. New features take too long to roll out.

Every mobile manufacturer consistently releases new software upgrades.

There is always a delay before cross-platform mobile apps can be updated with new Android or iOS capabilities introduced by Google or Apple.

Significantly more frequently, software development kits (SDKs) for native apps are released than updates to cross-platform frameworks.

So, these are the pros and cons of cross-platform mobile app development. Hopefully, the list outlined above will help you make an informed decision – whether you shall go for native app development or cross-platform.

How Can Annexlogics Help?

If you’re looking for cross-platform mobile app development, then Annexlogics Pvt. Ltd. can help you with your project. Annexlogics is the go-to company when it comes to the best app development. Ours is the best app development team equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology. They can develop a bespoke mobile app for you using a comparable framework.

Contact us for more details!