5 Top Frameworks You Should Consider Before Developing Hybrid Mobile Apps
Over the years, application development has not been at the same level. Even 10-15 years ago, creating a mobile application was a challenge that required a lot of knowledge and skills. Today it is much easier, especially after the introduction of frameworks that allow you to create hybrid applications using JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, and other simple programming languages.
A couple of years ago, application frameworks were one of the options available, but today they are the most convenient and profitable development offer. The entire industry is gradually moving away from traditional approaches and switching to frameworks. App developers in different countries have access to a huge number of options, and we want to share the list of the five best ones, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
#1 Xamarin
Xamarin is a solution that was created for developing cross-platform applications by the founders of the open-source platform Mono. In 2016 it was acquired by Microsoft that made its software development kit open source. That was the solution that made Xamarin popular.Coding all apps with this framework, you’ll work with C# language, and the overall process is similar regardless of the concrete app platform you use. Developers can also leverage .Net features along with native API access for Xamarin apps.
Advantages
- Singular Technology: developers can reuse more than 95% code for a different platform because the framework works with C# based on the .NET for all mob apps.
- An outstanding performance that is comparable to a native app. The Xamarin’s visual studio is also good at developing apps, as well as at testing and tracking their performance.
- Hardware Support: you can connect your Xamarin apps with hardware using various plugins or\and specific APIs that demonstrate great results.
- Amazing ecosystem. It has a complete development ecosystem that covers all nuances of the development process and provides friendly technical support as well as provisions for IoT and Wearable apps.
Disadvantages
- Access to technologies is limited. If you go with Xamarin, you can choose only those technologies the platform provides you with when there is a wide variety of options that are available with the native development.
- Pricing. Professionals and businesses can find other development platforms that are relatively cheaper.
- Lack of seasoned developers. Unlike other solutions, Xamarin can’t provide a big pool of talents since many experienced developers go in for alternative options.
#2 React Native
Most likely, you’ve already heard about this hybrid app development platform since it was developed by Facebook and became very popular among developers. In 2013 it was introduced as a web interface development platform, and in 2015 the first build was released, specifically for hybrid applications. In summer 2019, Facebook launched its stable RN build.Using React Native to create apps, developers receive the opportunity to combine features of native and interface development. The coding language is JavaScript. RN can also use native device APIs, just like Xamarin.
Advantages
- Use of JavaScript. This language is easy to learn, and the process doesn’t take pretty much time, so it’s popularity is obvious. That’s why RN boasts a solid developer community.
- Excellent performance. RN uses device features to make the performance as good as in the case with the native app.
- Pricing. It is also one of the cheapest solutions.
- Friendly UI. The UI is pretty simplified and understandable.
- Third-party plugins support. It allows better customizability of applications created through React Native.
Disadvantages
- Lack of documentation. Since RN is a young platform and its developers are primarily amateur, there is no pretty much expertise, documentation, and standards. If you need to find an experienced developer for the platform, it can become a challenge.
- Third-party solutions are limited. You can enjoy a variety of third-party plugins and tools, but they are still limited. Moreover, they can stop working with the release of a new build of RN.
- Issues with instability and compatibility. Due to the reasons provided above, applications created with RN are prone to instability, and sometimes they have compatibility issues as well.
#3 PhoneGap/Apache Cordova
Apache Cordova is originally known as Phone Gap. It was created in 2009 by Nitobi, and it means it is one of the older platforms. Adobe acquired it in 2011 and renamed it. Originally Cordova had a limitation that required a Mac for developing iOS apps and Windows for desktop applications. These days Apache Cordova supports cross-platform app builds. It uses HTML5 and CSS for rendering code, and JavaScript is used for code logic. The code passes through the "cloud compiler" before generating the application.Advantages
- Use of HTML 5: All developers are big fans of HTML5, and this single reason gives Cordova a big advantage. It also opens up this framework to a wider audience who want to try themselves at application development.
- Easy designing. Many developers claim it is easy to underlie the app logic then to create the design. Fortunately, Cordova knows how to simplify this part.
- Fast development. You don’t need pretty much time to develop an app with Cordova.
- A lot of plugins to choose from. Enjoy a solid base of plugins that are regularly updated with new options to the developers’ delight.
Disadvantages
- Apps are not that wast: they are slower with Cordova, and it is obvious. It is caused by the difference of languages in logic and rendering, as well as by the lack of direct access to functionalities and native APIs.
- Lack of enterprise cases. Apache Cordova is very popular among small and middle-sized businesses, but bigger players tend to work with competitors.
- Better for app prototyping. When it comes to enterprise companies, Cordova can be a great choice to prototype applications and test ideas before developing the full-fledged version.
- Has been niched. Almost all small businesses work with Cordova, and it’s unlikely Adobe will try to go further.
#4 Flutter
Flutter is what we can call a true cut edge hybrid development platform. Released in 2017, it is Google’s try to steal the show. While it is still young, it attracts a lot of attention.Since it was designed specifically for Google Fuchsia, the Flutter’s main feature is that you can develop apps for all platforms just with a single codebase. It works on its own DART language, which combines the best opportunities of Java and Kotlin.
Advantages
- The outstanding cross-platform capability is unmatched. While Google created Flutter to use chiefly with the Fuchsia, it is also efficient with iOS, Android, Windows, and other platforms.
- It is tested. Google is not the only one who uses Flutter. Alibaba works with it as well for some of its features.
- Speed. Speaking about hybrid app frameworks, app speed on Flutter is really impressive.
- UI design is seamless, with a good feel and interesting elements that are easy to implement.
Disadvantages
- Narrow community. You can’t currently find very many Flutter experts, until they’re Google or Alibaba workers, of course. The community of developers is young and will take time to grow.
- Young platform. Flutter is a newbie on the market, and the real-world application is still being worked on. So, we need more time to understand whether all the hype is justified.
- Large applications. Apps developed with Flutter are 40% larger in comparison to native analogs.
#5 Ionic
Ionic is one of the figuratively “old-timer” application development platforms. It was launched in 2013 and currently has more than 5 Mio. Applications have been developed with it. It provides specific UI features regardless of the platform you use. And don’t forget to install Node.js in a JavaScript ecosystem since Ionic is an npm module.Advantages
- Single codebase. It goes without saying that the singular codebase makes all processes easier when you need to work with different operating systems at the same time.
- Variety of UI components. Since different platforms have their own UI styling, Ionic has solutions for all of them, and its list really looks impressive.
- Outstanding documentation. While younger frameworks don’t have a huge community and documentation, Ionic doesn’t feel any issues due to these reasons. Every possible feature here has exhaustive explanations.
- Powerful community. Once you hit a wall, you can find well-experienced, supportive, and friendly developers easily.
Disadvantages
- Speed is not always stable. The more complex your application is, the less its speed in comparison with other hybrid solutions.
- Ionic depends on plugins. It has too many various tools which may affect the applications’ performance.
- You can’t benefit from hot reloading that allows developers to make edits anytime they need it. While other frameworks have this feature by default, Ionic doesn’t support this opportunity.