Native vs. cross-platform is an old-fashioned debate. This is a discussion that has divided the tech community for years. Many claim to have found the ultimate answer, but both cross-platform and native app development technologies are in a state of evolution. Given this changing nature of technology, it may be useful to revisit these topics from time to time to find out which of these options are currently at the forefront.
Both native and cross-platform applications have a dynamic list. These factors affect everyone involved with the app, including the app owner, app users, and app developers.
Now, app developers have priorities based on the technologies they are most comfortable with. Today, however, we limit the scope of discussion to app owners and users.
How important is the mobile application platform?
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are the world’s largest and most popular mobile platforms. According to statistics, Apple has taken over most of the global market, and Android is the second largest.
For example, the U.S. has a large iOS market share, which is 56 percent compared to Android’s 43.5 percent. Don’t forget, there are other smaller platforms like Windows.
This means that if you select your app on global data, you may miss an important target area. That is why you need to choose your application platform wisely. You need to know where your audience is and increase your app presence on each of those platforms.
Now there are two ways to do this you either create a native app for each platform or create a single cross-platform app that supports multiple platforms.
Let’s see how this decision affects your app:
The primary difference between native and cross-platform application
Native applications are developed specifically for a specific platform. These applications have been developed in a platform-friendly language. For example, Apple prefers Objective C and Swift for iOS, while Google favors Java for Android. Using these acceptable languages, developers can make better use of the natural features of these platforms. The native app developed for Android does not work on iOS and vice versa.
Cross-platform applications are compatible with multiple platforms. Due to the market share of Android and iOS, most cross-platform applications are limited to these two operating systems. These applications are developed in HTML and CSS because these standard web technologies are platform-independent. There are many cross-platform application development tools that allow developers to create these applications with little trouble.
Now that you know the difference between cross-platform and native applications, let’s see how they compare.
Performance native vs. Cross-Platform
native applications make better use of resources and leverage the platform’s capabilities to their fullest potential. This means that native apps are high-performance applications that are fast, responsive, and less likely to crash. If developers have enough knowledge about the platform they are working on, they can optimize native applications to highlight the best features and capabilities of that platform.
Cross-platform applications often suffer from performance problems. Since they have a built-in One-App-Fits-All approach, it is not uncommon for these applications to work on some devices.
Winner — Native
Features — Native vs. Cross-Platform
Native apps can use the device’s native feature, especially with iOS, which runs only on Apple’s proprietary devices. Another great advantage of native apps is that they allow offline features, which is not easily possible with cross-platform applications.
Cross-platform applications cannot use the device’s native features because they have limited access to the API. Since they are developed for different devices with different features, developers usually avoid making about available features.
Winner — Native
Feasibility — Native vs cross-platform
Native app development takes twice as long as cross-platform applications. Generally, it is necessary to create more than one application so the cost is also high. Maintenance is equally time-consuming and expensive as developers need to identify bugs and issues for each platform and create different updates accordingly.
Cross-platform applications are few in terms of development and management. You are investing in the same app and you need to manage it. However, sometimes, a large number of problems and bugs exceed this purpose.
Winner — Both
Customer Experience — Native vs. Cross-Platform
The importance of the user experience is growing by the minute, so this is the most important thing you need to make sure in your app.
Considering the above statistics, it really is a no-brainer. With improved performance, higher speeds, and improved device usage, native apps offer a fantastic experience. Designers and developers have more creative freedom to create better-looking apps and smoother performance apps. Native apps are not only responsive but also intuitive.
Although developers can create equally clear cross-platform applications, such features often come at a cost. It is difficult for developers and designers to meet all the UX requirements of multiple platforms simultaneously. Overall, cross-platform applications do not provide the desired user experience.
Winner — native
Fair resolution
Native apps appear to be far superior in terms of performance and user experience. This is enough to make them a winner. However, don’t forget that the choice really depends on your application. Common apps, such as games and content distribution apps, are usually developed as a cross-platform application, but applications with specific features are native.
Cross-platform is more fancied for B2B relationships where deployment time is very valuable. Due to limited budgets, many small businesses choose to cross-platform. However, compromising performance and user experience for savings is often counterproductive.
It is important for you to choose a platform that suits your needs, requirements, as well as your target audience to create your winning app.
To get more info about Native App vs Hybrid App Development: The Real Comparison
Fugenx technologies a mobile app and game development company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with our services is spread across some major regions such as the US and India.
We start making apps ahead of our competitors and we don’t rest on our skulls.
There are only a few countries that do not exist.We have more than 400 clients and we are still counting.
We have never disappointed any of our clients before because we will take them along and we will follow their specifications to the letter.Over the years, we have been able to build a standard application development process.
Although our app development teams have different offices in different parts of the world, they all follow the same process.
Regardless of who builds your app on our team, you still get the same quality.Here is the app development process that has earned Fugenx many awards, accolades, and clients in different parts of the world.Required collectionWe start with a detailed meeting to help our clients understand exactly what they need.
We also find the app’s goals.
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