Cross-platform mobile app development frameworks allow developers to create apps that run on multiple operating systems (mainly iOS and Android) using a single codebase. Instead of building separate apps for each platform, these frameworks make building, deploying, and maintaining apps across devices easier. This helps businesses save time, reduce development costs, and streamline the overall app development process.

In 2024, cross-platform frameworks continue to evolve, offering more powerful tools and improved performance, making them a go-to choice for companies looking for rapid app development.

Frameworks Comparison

1. Flutter/FlutterFlow

Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK) by Google that allows developers to build visually stunning mobile apps from a single codebase. With Flutter, you can create natively compiled apps for mobile, web, and desktop using the Dart programming language. One of the standout features of Flutter is its “Hot Reload” functionality, which enables developers to see changes in the code in real-time without restarting the entire app. This significantly speeds up development and testing. Flutter is highly regarded for its pre-built widgets, which mimic the native behaviors of both iOS and Android, providing a near-native experience with consistent UI elements across platforms.

On top of that, FlutterFlow offers a no-code/low-code alternative, making app development accessible to businesses with smaller or less technical teams. FlutterFlow is built on top of Flutter but eliminates much of the need for coding, allowing users to visually design their apps while still maintaining the quality and functionality of Flutter. This can be especially valuable for businesses that need rapid prototypes or MVPs, as it significantly reduces development time and requires an experienced development team. It’s ideal for startups and businesses that need to keep costs low without compromising on a polished, native-like UI.

Best for: Businesses looking for high-quality UI/UX, scalability, and cost-effective development. FlutterFlow is ideal for teams with fewer technical resources and those seeking to quickly prototype or launch MVPs.

2. React Native

React Native, developed and maintained by Facebook, is one of the most widely used cross-platform frameworks for mobile app development. It allows developers to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React, a popular web development library. The appeal of React Native lies in its ability to reuse code across platforms, which means you can build for both iOS and Android using a shared codebase. For companies with a web development team already skilled in JavaScript, adopting React Native can be a cost-effective and time-saving choice. Its “Hot Reload” feature allows for real-time previewing of changes, speeding up the development process.

React Native has a massive ecosystem with thousands of third-party libraries and plugins, allowing developers to extend functionality easily. However, while it delivers near-native performance, some app functionalities that require heavy animations or complex interactions might require integrating native code, which can increase development time. Also, debugging React Native apps can be challenging due to dependencies on third-party libraries. Despite these limitations, React Native is an excellent option for businesses looking to develop moderate-complexity apps without significant performance trade-offs.

Best for: Companies with existing JavaScript teams or web developers who want to minimize costs and reuse code across mobile and web. Suitable for apps that don’t require high-end performance but need to launch quickly and affordably.

3. Kotlin Multiplatform

Kotlin Multiplatform is a cross-platform development framework that allows developers to write code once and share it across different platforms, while still leveraging the native performance of each operating system. Kotlin itself is a programming language developed by JetBrains and has become the official language for Android development. What sets Kotlin Multiplatform apart from other cross-platform frameworks is its ability to allow developers to write platform-specific code where needed, making it ideal for apps that require native performance but want to avoid duplicating business logic across platforms. You can share business logic between iOS, Android, and even web apps while keeping the native UI intact for each platform.

Because Kotlin Multiplatform is still in development, it may have fewer tools, libraries, and plugins compared to more established frameworks like Flutter and React Native. However, the ability to write native code when needed gives developers greater flexibility, especially for high-performance apps with specific platform requirements. Companies already using Kotlin for Android development will find Kotlin Multiplatform an easy transition, making it a solid option for those looking to branch out into iOS development without starting from scratch.

Best for: Businesses that prioritize performance and already use Kotlin for Android. It’s ideal for apps that require high-end functionality and native experience but want to reduce redundant code between platforms.

4. Ionic

Ionic is a popular cross-platform framework that enables developers to build mobile apps using standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Originally built to integrate with Angular, Ionic has since expanded to support other frameworks such as React and Vue.js, making it versatile for developers familiar with web development. Ionic apps run inside a web view, which means they’re essentially web apps that behave like native apps. This hybrid approach allows developers to create apps quickly and efficiently while ensuring they work across both iOS and Android platforms.

However, because Ionic apps run in a web view, performance can be a limiting factor compared to native or near-native frameworks like Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform. Ionic excels in building simple apps or content-heavy apps that don’t require complex interactions or high-end performance. It offers a robust library of pre-built UI components that mimic native elements, providing a consistent user experience. Additionally, Ionic’s compatibility with web technologies makes it a great choice for businesses with existing web development teams that want to quickly and cost-effectively deploy mobile apps.

Best for: Companies with web development teams looking to build simple apps quickly. Ideal for content-driven apps that don’t require high-performance or advanced native functionality.

5. NativeScript

NativeScript stands out in the cross-platform development space for its ability to deliver truly native apps using web technologies like JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular. Unlike Ionic, which runs apps in a web view, NativeScript allows developers to directly access native APIs without needing additional plugins or third-party dependencies. This makes it a good choice for businesses that want to build high-performance mobile apps but prefer to use familiar web technologies. NativeScript can bridge the gap between web development and native app performance, making it particularly attractive for teams with strong web development backgrounds that want to deliver a native experience without learning entirely new languages.

One of NativeScript’s key advantages is its ability to deliver near-native performance, but with that comes a steeper learning curve for developers unfamiliar with its environment. While it offers good documentation, its community is smaller compared to frameworks like Flutter or React Native, which means fewer third-party tools and libraries are available. NativeScript is a powerful choice for apps that need direct native access and high-performance capabilities, but businesses should be prepared to invest time in learning the platform and potentially developing custom plugins for specific use cases.

Best for: Businesses seeking high-performance, near-native apps while leveraging web technologies like JavaScript or TypeScript. It is ideal for apps that require a native experience but need to be built on a shared codebase.

Benefits of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Frameworks

• Cost-Effective: Develop once, deploy everywhere. This reduces the need for separate development teams for Android and iOS.
• Faster Time-to-Market: A shared codebase allows for quicker iterations and faster deployment to multiple platforms.
• Maintenance & Updates: It’s easier to maintain and update apps when you have one codebase, rather than managing two or more.
• Wider Reach: Targeting multiple platforms ensures you reach more users with a single app.
• Consistency: Your app will look and behave similarly across devices, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

How to Choose the Right Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Framework?

When choosing the right framework for your business, consider the following factors:

• Project Requirements: How complex is your app? For example, if your app needs advanced graphics or hardware integration, you might prefer Kotlin Multiplatform for its high-performance capabilities.
• Developer Availability: What skills do your developers have? If you already have a web development team, frameworks like React Native or Ionic may be easier to adopt without needing additional training.
• Performance: Does your app require high performance, or can you compromise for faster development? For apps that demand high performance, NativeScript or Kotlin Multiplatform might be better choices.
• Support & Community: Choose frameworks with large communities and strong support, so you have resources to rely on during development.
• Budget: Some frameworks are faster and cheaper to develop, while others may require more upfront investment.

Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Frameworks – Comparison

Top Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Frameworks: FAQs

1. Which framework is best for startups with tight budgets?
   Flutter and React Native are popular choices for startups due to their large communities, cost-effectiveness, and fast development cycles.
2. How long does it take to develop a cross-platform app?
   On average, cross-platform apps take 30%–50% less time to develop than native apps because you’re working with a shared codebase. However, timelines vary depending on app complexity.
3. Can I build complex apps with cross-platform frameworks?
   Yes, but some frameworks (like Flutter and React Native) may require native code for very complex functionalities, while others like Kotlin Multiplatform offer native performance.
4. Which framework is best for performance?
   For the highest performance, Kotlin Multiplatform or NativeScript are your best bets, as they allow for near-native performance.
5. What about app maintenance?
   Cross-platform frameworks make maintenance easier as you have only one codebase to update, instead of managing separate versions for iOS and Android.

Need a Cross-Platform App?

If you’re looking to build a cost-effective and efficient app that runs across both iOS and Android, cross-platform frameworks are your best bet. Whether you want fast prototyping or full native performance, there’s a solution that fits your business needs