Why Do We Still Use Cross-Platform Development

As we have talked about in our previous post in our Native vs Cross-platform two sequence blog series, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of mobile development frameworks. We have discovered these pros and cons in the other post and we recommend you take a look at that before reading this post.

We made it obvious that we usually prefer native app development due to its creative freedom, unique abilities such as sending push notifications, responsiveness, and more. 

However, we still use cross-platform mobile app development due to some reasons that we also find beneficial as many developers might agree with us.

One of the many reasons that some companies ask their developers to use a cross-platform framework is because of the time and budget limitations. Cross-platform apps that are created by the developers who work for these companies use one code base to be worked on different OS and different devices. 

Using one code base have negative effects on its own on the app itself. However, it helps the companies in some ways. When the developers work on one codebase only and don’t have to write different sets of codes for different OS and devices, it works for companies since they will be hiring fewer developers.

Moreover, writing only one codebase will be significantly faster, which means the new app of the company will need less time to appear on the market. Since it will be written for many different devices and OS, the first time the app is launched, it will have more possibility to reach a wider audience. Therefore, cross-platform is preferred mainly on the marketing side of creating an app.

We have mentioned these reasons in the first part of this blog series but let’s get into details and explain why it all comes down to the choice and needs of the companies.

Since there will be only one codebase, one of the OS will have to adapt to the other. For example, IOS and Android are completely different operating systems. When the developer will be writing the code, it’ll be highly difficult to not lean on one side. 

The same thing may go for the designers. They will have to be sided with one type of device, and then integrate the rest of the devices with the main one. Which might create bugs in some specific devices.

As a company, we tend to use both development frameworks even though our preference would be on the side of native app development. When we’re using a cross-platform mobile development tool, we choose React Native, however, many developers swear by Flutter too. 

The reason why we sometimes choose cross-platform is that the needs of our clients can vary significantly. A developer must be able to work with the client in the way that they wish to work with and still keep their flexibility to the highest. Even though there are many advantages to using a native framework, being able to work with a cross-platform framework will help the developer build themselves. If our client wants the fastest work in the shortest time possible we’ll be able to deliver it following a cross-platform framework.

With the companies abilities and freedom in budget and time, the developer would be way more efficient with writing the code in a native framework and keep the creativity. However, with the given circumstances, flexibility and the ability to adapt to the situation is also important for a developer and should be considered, too. We recommend developers to learn one of both frameworks to be able to have flexibility when it comes to their clients.