Native vs Cross-Platform Mobile App Development: Which One is Better and When?

Since the technologies used for platform-dependent applications are directly related to this platform, native code has direct access to all functions of the operating system.

In turn, a simpler interaction with a device’s default features increases the overall performance of the application, in particular when viewing graphical or multimedia content. As a result, building high-load applications with native code can reduce response time and minimize crash chances.

Native applications are designed and developed to solve specific problems on a specific platform. This leads to a better match of application functionality to the hardware capabilities of devices, including Bluetooth, NFC, camera, GPS, and more. This is necessary when the application should use data such as physical and geographic location, etc.

Since native applications integrate directly with the mobile operating system, leveraging all the available capabilities, users can move around the familiar interface without much hassle. This results in a positive user experience (UX), greater user engagement, and a higher number of return users.

For one thing, we observe a huge number of different smartphone screen resolutions. This highlights the significance of having an application optimized under such a screen to make it comfortable for the user to navigate the application.

The quality of user experience is an important ranking indicator in app stores. If the application has a high rating of user experience, the system will rank it higher, leading to more recommendations for different audiences and increased revenue from the application, respectively.

There is also a suggestion that the ranking mechanisms in app stores are set up to better position applications native to the platform due to the presupposed higher performance and ease of use.

Without a doubt, creating separate applications for each OS can significantly extend the development process. The same code can’t be deployed on different platforms, and programmers will need more time to convert and rewrite code, which increases development costs and time.

If a company wants to have separate applications for each platform, it will probably have to hire additional software engineers. For example, one developer will focus on iOS applications, and the other – on Android-based ones, which further increases costs.

Software engineers use a specific language environment for native solutions, making such an application incompatible with other platforms. Let’s say, if your app was written on Swift for iOS, it won’t function on Android because this platform has Kotlin or Java as native languages. This may eventually limit the scope and availability of your product or service.

If you are focused on a market where a particular OS (operating system) predominates significantly, this disadvantage may not concern you. But if you build a native app for one platform, it can threaten to lose profits. After all, the application will simply not work on other platforms and users will not be able to test your development and start bringing profits.

Developers do not need to spend much time learning different frameworks and programming languages, as cross-platform solutions require a single tech stack and codebase. This frees the companies of the need to employ two separate teams to work on each platform’s interface and hardware.

Additionally, the costs for application support and maintenance are minimized. You can update your app quickly as there is no need to make changes separately. The absence of complex platform-based functionality allows you to make prompt adjustments for all the end-users at once.

Games and programs running on different platforms are in greater demand by users. Most of them are willing to pay for the use of such products. This allows you to reach a wider audience and create a strong brand identity. In addition, it guarantees developers a decent profit, part of which can be invested in further development.

You can build almost identical designs for any device thanks to the availability of universal tools. This design is highly appreciated by users. Developing an app with a single codebase, ensures the user interface and features are consistent across all platforms.

Users get so used to the interface and functionality of their gadgets that they expect maximum responsiveness from the applications installed. They want to make sure each button is in the right place, the page scrolls at the best speed, and any action gets an immediate response from the system. However, cross-platform applications have a single interface and don’t take much into account the specific features of a particular OS.

In the market of cross-platform solutions, competition is getting more intense every day. While React Native and Xamarin used to be the most popular frameworks, Flutter has now come to the fore. As a result, projects implemented in earlier frameworks could have poorer code support, let’s say, in terms of speed.

Native engineering will not face such a problem. The introduction of new tools is taking place gradually, and knowledge of several programming languages, which is mandatory for a narrow specialist, will allow them to quickly deal with all innovations.

Application functionality on different OS can be similar, but complex components that require more computing will load and run more slowly. This can be a setback for some businesses that want their apps to be super potent, fast, and high-performing.

Compared to native, cross-platform apps don’t tolerate changes in source code. This is due to the universal development tools that prevent deep integration with the hardware part of devices.