Native vs. Cross-Platform App Development: What To Choose in 2021?

The phrase, “There’s an app for that,” could not be more appropriate for 2021. From retail-based e-commerce businesses to personal finance and life management, to entertainment and gaming, to contact tracing during the COVID-19 epidemic, apps are playing an increasingly significant role in our lives. In fact, as of Q2 of 2020, according to Sensor Tower, there were 37.8 billion downloads from the Google Play and iOS stores globally. And in February 2021 alone, about 85,000 new apps were developed and launched. Many of these were developed for one or both of the two major app stores via native app development, but many were also developed and launched via cross-platform technology, a method designed to reach a much larger audience on multiple platforms.

So, which should you choose for your development – native or cross-platform? In this article, you will receive a comprehensive explanation of both types of development and the pros and cons of each. In the end, you should be able to make an informed decision on which type of development is right for your apps, so that you can locate the right developer or team for what you want.

First, an Overview of the Mobile Development Market in the Current Environment

As of the 4th quarter, 2016, mobile devices surpassed the use of desktop PCs, as the venue for consumers to communicate with others, obtain information, search for products or services, make purchases, and solve specific problems they face. And they use them everywhere and in all environments:

When they conduct a search related to what they need, they will immediately be rewarded with results that point them to specific websites or apps. And even those websites have apps, which they encourage visitors to download, to make access easy while “on the go.”

Let’s unpack a few more stats about app downloads:
●    One billion+ mobile game apps were downloaded each week during Q2 of 2020.
●    During 2019, shoppers downloaded four billion related apps
●    Q3 of 2020 saw a 65% increase in medical app downloads
●    A 65% increase in educational app downloads in Q3 of 2020 can be attributed to the pandemic.
●    In Q2 of 2020, there were twenty-four billion downloads of fin-tech apps.

It’s also important to look at the demographics of app use, especially among age groups. There are probably no surprises here.

The monthly use in hours is as follows:

It is also interesting to note that Google Play app downloads outnumber iOS downloads by quite a bit.

This information should help drive decisions as individuals and organizations consider what types of apps they are interested in developing in at least the near future, and for whom those apps will be developed.

The other question, of course, is which development model is best to use – native or cross-platform. So here is an in-depth look at both technologies.

Native App Development
In short, a native app is one that has been developed specifically for a specific platform or platforms or device type – usually Android or iOS.

Programming languages vary, depending on Android or iOS. Customary languages for Android include Java or Kotlin with the Android Studio framework. For iOS development, the most common languages are

Objective- or Swift, with Xcode as a framework. In both instances, the development can take advantage of the features of the devices for which they are being programmed, including such things as cameras, GPS, etc., uploaded to the Apple app store or Google Play, for consumer download.

When Native App Development Is Preferred

Native app development usually occurs when the individual ordering it has a good budget and is flexible enough on time-to-market or launch time frame. In general, it’s a good investment and results in a user-friendly app with all the detailed features the app’s owner wants.

It sounds as if native development is ideal, and certainly, there are lots of advantages. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

Pros of Native Development

The advantages of native development are obvious to those who use it:

1.    Great Performance
For someone who wants efficiency, responsiveness, speed, and security, native app development delivers. This is all possible because native apps are built for a specific platform and with core programming languages and API’s. Loading time is fast and streamlined.

2.    Security
Native apps have multiple layers of an OS and are thus difficult to breach. Further, they do not rely on any third-party system, they use APIs that have been previously determined to be secure. And one of the reasons for native development taking longer is that security structures are designed and tested prior to launch.

3.    Fewer Bugs
A native app uses a single codebase, as opposed to cross-platform apps that must house two codebases. There are fewer chances for bugs because there is no reliance on cross-platform tools (e.g., Xamarin or Cordova).

As well, native app developers have access to the latest SDKs as they start their development. Such kits are bug-free, and because they give developers a faster lead time, more time can be spent on testing, fining any bugs, and fixing them.

4.    Maintenance
Apps that are here for the long-term need code that is easy and cheap to maintain. Apps written in native code are easier to update and maintain – there are just less coding and dependencies required. Adding new features is simply easier. And users are easily able to get information about any updates.

5.    Good Offline Performance
Native app content is downloaded onto a user’s device and is fully usable with all of that device’s features, including such things as its contact list, GPS, camera, and more.

And because native apps reside in their respective stores, users will be notified when updates are available and can easily download them.

Cons of Native App Development

While all seems to be lovely in the choice for native app development, it is not without its disadvantages. Here are the most common cons:

1.    Cost
Most individuals or organizations who want apps want them to be developed for both the Apple Store and Google Play. This obviously requires two totally separate development tasks, adding to cost.

Other than the development of two separate apps, native apps involve complexity and customization that cross-platform development does not. But with this complexity comes higher cost.

Consider getting a calculation problems assistance to allocate the budget correctly.

2.    Time
Native app development is a lengthy process. Anyone who is in a hurry for their app to be launched and marketed will not want native development.

3.    Cost of Maintenance
Maintenance costs can run 15 – 20% of the original development cost.

4.    Frequent Upgrades Required
Any time a bug is fixed or an upgrade is launched, developers will first have to submit those to the respective store, and then users will have to be notified, usually by the store. There is always the chance that users will not notice the update notification. The app will then develop glitches that can cause loss of customers.

Tools and Languages for Native App Development
Most commonly, developers will use these tools in the building process:
For iOS: AppCode, Xcode, Atom
For Android: IntelliJ IDEA, Android IDE, Android Studio
Programming languages common to native app development are as follows:
For iOS: There are lots of options, including python, C++, Objective-C, and Swift. But Swift and Objective-C are usually preferred.
For Android:  Again, several options are available. – Java, JavaScript, C++, C#, and Kotlin

Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform apps are those that are developed to operate on multiple mobile platforms. They are thus compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems, as well as less-used platforms. Developers of cross-platform apps use only one code system, and thus the app is released faster to reach a larger audience.

When Cross-Platform Development Is Preferred
Individuals and organizations that want their apps on multiple platforms at low cost and launched as quickly as possible will no doubt like cross-platform app development. While not possessing the quality that native app development produces, cross-platform apps do serve a valuable purpose for many.

Pros of Cross-Platform Apps
1.    Cost
This is the primary benefit of cross-platform development. When there are budget constraints, the ability to craft a single code for multiple platforms will obviously cost less. In short, the developer writes only once and runs the app on both iOS and Android devices. Only one developer or development team has to be hired.

2.    Fast
Because developers can use up to 80% of the original code for multiple platforms, huge amounts of time savings are in place. There is no need to write code from scratch for each platform, as is the case with native apps. Highly functional apps can thus be developed far faster. This is especially valuable when one needs a prototype or MVP that can “test the waters” for the viability of a customer base. As well, such apps can be sent to influencers for their reviews. This is also a great option for a startup.+

3.    Support and Maintenance Are Simpler
Apps must be regularly updated to remain competitive in their respective marketplaces. Again, because there is a single developer or team, using a single codebase, updates can be rolled out quickly, adding new features as desired or needed.

4.    Faster Launch to Market
Again, because of faster development, an app owner can get his product launched and perhaps establish a customer base before someone else with a similar idea launches his. Getting into the app stores with a compelling and engaging description and in the right category(ies) can begin to bring in customers, especially if the basic app is offered for free and monetized through advertisers.

5.    Larger Exposure
If a native app is developed for Android, it goes onto Google Play and nowhere else. A cross-platform app can go into both major stores, as well as Windows, and macOS, providing exposure to a much larger audience, and all at that low cost.

Cons of Cross-Platform Development
While cross-platform is attractive to those with limited budgets and a desire to launch quickly (as is often the case with start-ups), there are obvious drawbacks.

1.    Functionality Is Limited
There are some limits here – lack of full features of operating systems and API, for example. As well, they cannot operate without connecting to the internet. This alone impacts user experience.

2.    Poor Adaptability With 3rd Party Libraries
This means that developers cannot use many libraries or software development kits that make coding easier. They have to spend a lot of time getting functionality integrated into a cross-platform app.

3.    Issues With Integration
Integrating cross-platform apps with local settings, notifications, and preferences can be a challenge. Further, the need for variety in storage options may require a cloud service.

4.    Slower Speed Is Entirely Possible
Too many cross-compliances can lead to slower speeds than with native apps.

Tools, Technologies, and Programming Languages
JavaScript and C# are common programming languages for cross-platform app development.

As for tools and technologies, there are some newer ones that are serving to improve some of the negative aspects of cross-platform:
●    React Native came from Facebook in 2015 and is now a popular tool. It makes development faster, but perhaps its best advantage is that it does provide native-like functionality that improves user experience.
●    Xamarin is an older framework now owned by Microsoft. Its great advantage is that it is open-source using C# coding, to work on any platform.
●    Flutter is the newest tool of these three. It, too, is open-source and allows building cross-platform apps that act and feel like native apps on both iOS and Android platforms. This has brought much greater functionality to cross-platform apps.

The following graph shows a comparison of the usage of cross-platform frameworks between 2019 and 2020:

How Do You Make the Right Choice for Your Needs?
The first step in making this decision is to be certain that you understand the difference between native and cross-platform. Reading the above content should have helped. Now you must look at the three most important considerations – what do you want your app to do, what is your timeline for completion and launch, and what are your budget parameters?

To help you get a clearer idea of which app development you want, here is a brief listing of the elements that should determine your choice.

When To Choose Native App Development
●    When you need exceptional functionality and streamlined responsiveness
●    When you have no budget issues
●    When you want an app that can operate without connectivity
●    When you want to focus on specific audiences and potential customer bases, such as Android and/or iOS
●    When you want to install frequent updates, usually based upon what you determine users want

When To Choose Cross-Platform App Development
●    When you want to focus on a large audience in multiple markets
●    When you want an app that can be built quickly and in a cost-effective way
●    When your app doesn’t need complicated animation, 3-D graphics, and other functionalities or features
●    When you need a prototype or MVP to “test” the market
●    When your app is focused more on imparting content, information, and/or simpler user tasks. Examples might be a calendar or a personal budgeting app.

Now To Select the Right Developer
Once you have made your choice, the next step is obviously to seek the right developer or development team, assuming that you do not have the in-house expertise. In fact, outsourcing app development has become an almost $100B industry.

As an individual, a startup, or a small business, you obviously won’t have in-house development staff. Here are some key tips for choosing the right developer:
1.    Look for a developer who is familiar with your business niche, or at least related niches, and who appears to have a genuine interest in your business. This partner will be far more prone to put his creative “juices” to work for you.
2.    Look for a developer who has developed the type of app you have chosen (native or cross-platform) for other clients and has a portfolio that demonstrates his success. When you review that portfolio, you want to see stunning visuals and an exceptional user interface. A successful app is really all about how a user can interact with it.
3.    Look for a developer you can easily interact with. Remember, app development is a long-term relationship between client and developer. There may be additional bugs; there may be evolutions as customer feedback comes in.
4.    Look for a developer who is willing to provide references, and check them.
5.    Look for a price you can live with. All entrepreneurs, startups, and organizations have a budget. But sometimes, it may be appropriate to stretch that budget as much as possible to get the quality you need. Low-balling the development can be costly in the long run, if you get an app that has no appeal to your audience – money wasted.
6.    Look for a developer who considers design as important as coding. Remember, coding is the backend. Design is what the user sees and interacts with. If that experience is flawed, the development was pointless.

Conclusion
Every individual or organization looking for the right app development has two choices – a native app for each platform, or a cross-platform app that will serve multiple purposes. Hopefully, this article has provided the information you need to make an informed decision about the type of app development you want to pursue and the steps for finding the right developer.