A cross-platform framework is precisely a next-gen software which has the capability of running on multiple platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows, etc. Due to this ability, the applications developed on a cross-platform framework don’t need coding separately for each platform. You just have to set the codes once and that will be good to go for all the platforms in equally efficient manner. This makes the cross-platform frameworks extremely popular among the app development companies.
- Ionic
Ionic is considered as one of the most popularly used cross-platform frameworks for application development, and is based on AngularJS. It enables the developers to access native platform controllers by using multiple languages such as HTML5, JavaScript and CSS.
Features:
- Ionic is an open-source front-end framework and hence allows easy alterations by developers in coding thus suiting each developer’s functionality and saving a lot of time as well.
- Ionic is a SAAS UI based framework and offers a lot of UI components for the development of robust applications.
- It is also loved for giving native-like feel to applications as the apps perform equally well on diverse platforms.
- React Native
React Native can not be skipped whenever the discussion of cross-platform frameworks is going on. React Native is built on JavaScript and gives native-like feel to the mobile apps which work on both iOS and Android.
Features:
- This open-source framework has a large community for its support and requires only one-time coding (WORA) for app development compatible with both Android and iOS.
- One-time coding/learning code brings down the app development time by a huge margin thus reducing the app development cost as well.
- Another impressive feature of React Native is its high compatibility with third-party plugins like Google Maps.
- Flutter
Flutter was introduced by Google in 2017 and is a fundamental method for development of Google Fuschia applications. It is basically a software development kit which assists Android and iOS app development.
Features:
- It does not require manually updating UI contents but the developers need to update the variables only.
- It promotes portable GPU which allows it to operate on latest interfaces with ease.
- Flutter is considered as the perfect option for development of an MVP as it is capable of developing expeditious platforms at extremely affordable costs.
- Xamarin
This cross-platform framework is quite different from the ones discussed above. This is more of a streamlined framework, meant for the development of applications for Android, iOS and Windows by using C# and .Net only.
Features:
- Use of C# for app development with Xamarin gives it a leverage over Java and Objective-C.
- Xamarin diminishes hardware compatibility issues with the help of particular APIs and plugins, which operate with common device functionality.
- Xamarin promotes linking with native libraries and thus allows native-level functionality and customizations.
- Xamarin supports WORA (Write Once, Run Anywhere) and thus leads to huge reduction of time and cost while developing an application.
- NativeScript
NativeScript is a cross-platform framework which is available free of cost and is based on JavaScript. It also supports WORA functionality and is thus a preferred framework for a lot of developers worldwide.
Features:
- It provides the developers with a fully loaded web resource offering plugins for a number of solutions thus eliminating the necessity of third-party solutions.
- Even without WebViews, it is capable of rendering beautiful and platform-native UI.
- It makes use of TypeScript and Angular for the programming purposes.
- Node.js
This open-source framework is built on Chrome V8 JavaScript engine and creates highly scalable networking applications which are extremely efficient and responsive.
Features:
- Being built on Chrome V8 engine, Node.js libraries are very fast in the code execution process.
- js applications output the data in chunks instead of buffering.
- Its event looping functionality helps to deliver really smooth and also perfectly operating apps.
- Appcelerator Titanium
Appcelerator is an easy way of developing cross-platform applications with a single code base. It streamlines the app building process with native components present in the JavaScript script.
Features:
- It provides a number of tools for quick app development thus making the development process speedy.
- It allows the developers to integrate the existing continuous delivery systems like SCM.
- Appcelerator also has a long list of pre-built connectors for MS Azure, Salesforce, Box, etc.
- PhoneGap
PhoneGap framework uses CSS, JavaScript and HTML5 and offers cloud solution to the app developing teams with which they can share the app with other developers for their feedback. Also, it is capable of supporting in-built features of devices like GPS, Storage, Phonebook, Camera, etc.
Features:
- This cross-platform framework is quite an impeccable one as it allows the developers to build apps by using existing technologies like CSS3, HTML5 and JavaScript.
- The architecture of PhoneGap is plugin-able in nature which means that it can extend the access to native APIs in a modular way.
- Sencha Touch
This framework helps in creating web-based cross-platform applications specially those which use hardware acceleration techniques. With Sencha Touch, large business apps can be created and maintained quite effectively and easily.
Features:
- It is largely popular for offering built-in native-looking themes available for different platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, etc.
- It also supports PhoneGap integration for the access of native APIs.
- It also has more than 50 in-built UI widgets which are customizable.
- Corona SDK
This framework allows the programmers to build 2D mobile apps for all popular platforms including Windows and Kindle. This framework is free and works on both Windows and Mac OS and also supports real-time testing.
Features:
- It consists of more than 1000 APIs enabling the developers to sprite animations, music, audio, native elements, texture management, etc.
- The response of this framework to code changes is extremely fast.
- It supports around 200 plugins which include analytics, media, in-app advertising, etc.
Conclusion
There is not doubt that more frameworks are being developed while we write and read this but only time will tell how the above-mentioned popular frameworks compete with the new entrants in the near future. For the time being, the capabilities of these cross-platform app development frameworks cannot be ignored at all, and their use in relevant operations is sure to help the developers in creating the desired application.
