Cross-platform mobile app development

There are two main programming languages that are used for cross-platform development:

• JavaScript is a popular language for web development and is commonly used for building cross-platform mobile apps using frameworks such as React Native . One of the most significant advantages of JavaScript is that it uses a  similar UI mechanism for iOS and Android native apps, which can positively affect the user experience.
• Dart is a very popular language used for developing mobile apps with Flutter – cross-platform development framework developed by Google. One of the main advantages of using Dart for cross-platform development is that it provides a  rich set of features, including hot-reload, which allows developers to see changes to their code immediately. Another advantage of Dart is that this language can be used for both server-side and client-side app development.

Choosing the right language for cross platform development is strictly an individual matter and depends not only on your needs, but also on the technical and design requirements of your solution. If you don’t know what language will be suitable for your product, contact us and we will help you choose a solution that will meet your every need.

There are several very popular frameworks for developing cross-platform applications:

• Flutter is one of the most popular frameworks in 2023. Flutter was created by Google and allows you to develop apps for both Android and iOS using the same codebase. Flutter is primarily valued for its ability to create user-friendly, eye-catching design and hot-reload features, allowing you to quickly see changes to your code without compiling.
• React Native is also one of the more popular frameworks for creating cross-platform solutions. It is built on Java Script, and its most significant advantage is creating native-like mobile apps on both Android and iOS. It is open-sourced, which provides access to multiple sources and tools and increases productivity.
• Xamarin is a framework created in 2011 by Microsoft. It is an open-sourced solution based on the C# language. Xamarin is appreciated for its ability to develop native-like custom user interfaces in multiplatform solutions. In addition, with compile-time checking, developers can prevent many bugs.

These are just some of the most commonly used frameworks for creating cross-platform solutions. Each of them has various features that make them an increasingly popular choice for developers. Contact us to help determine which framework is best for your digital product. We will be happy to help you find a tailor-made solution for you!

The time it takes to develop a cross-platform app depends on several factors, including its complexity, the features and functionality required, and the development tools or technologies used. However, it is worth remembering that the application development process does not consist only off writing code but many individual steps:

• Planning and Research: The first step is to define the app’s purpose, target audience, and features. This phase is crucial to the market and competitors analysis, but also to identify app goals, user needs and requirements.
• Design: The design phase involves creating the visual part of an app, including a user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design consistent across all platforms.
• Development: The development team will write the app’s code using a cross-platform development framework once the design is finalised.
• Testing: After the app is developed, it’s essential to ensure it’s free of bugs and errors. The QA team will test the app to ensure it works correctly on all platforms.
• Deployment: Once the app is thoroughly tested and ready to go, it’s time to deploy it to the app stores. The app deployment process may take a little longer on the App Store due to their stricter requirements.
• Maintenance: App maintenance is an ongoing process. It includes continuously monitoring and updating the app to keep it running smoothly.

Each of these phases can take from a week to as long as several months , so estimating the exact time to develop an app is extremely difficult. The average time for simple apps with basic functionality may take 2-4 months. For medium-sized apps with more features and functionality, developing a cross-platform app may take around 4-6 months . In contrast, for large and complex apps with advanced features and functionalities, the timeframe may increase to 6-12 months .
That is why the actual development time can vary significantly depending on the specific requirements of the app. In addition, breaks between each stage in the app development process may increase the development time.

The cost of developing a cross-platform app can vary depending on several factors, including the app’s complexity, the features and functionality required, the development tools and technologies used, or even the industry. The most significant influence on the cost range may be factors such as:

• App Complexity: The app’s complexity is a significant factor in determining the development cost. This is directly related to the project team’s work time. That is why apps with basic functionality will cost less to develop than apps with advanced features.
• Design: The design phase is crucial in enhancing the user’s experience while using your application. If you want to create a custom UI and UX design, it will cost more than pre-made templates but will also be much more tailored to the app and its user needs.
• Technologies: The cost of using different development tools and technologies also varies. For example, developing an app using a popular cross-platform development framework like React Native or Flutter may cost less than using a less popular framework.
• Development Team: The cost of hiring a development team also varies. The country of origin influences this factor. An hour of work for a programmer in the US costs much more than in European countries.
• Maintenance: It is worth remembering that the total cost does not include only the creation of the application but also its subsequent maintenance. Regular updates, bug fixes, and maintenance will add to the overall app development cost.

Considering all these factors, the total cost of developing cross-platform applications can range from $50,000 to $300,000 or more . However, it is worth mentioning that a cross-platform solution is much more beneficial than developing separate native apps for iOS and Android and can reduce the cost of developing a mobile app by as much as 30%!.

Creating cross-platform solutions will be a great solution if you have a  limited budget. Cross-platform applications are much less expensive than native solutions due to the fact that you need to hire one development team and one design team. This significantly reduces the cost of application development. In addition, cross-platform development will be ideal for this task if you want to release your product as soon as possible. Since a single cycle of development is needed to create apps for both Android and iOS, your mobile solutions can be launched much faster. It’s also worth mentioning that creating cross-platform solutions using the same code makes it much easier to update and maintain your app later on. Cross-platform solutions give you great flexibility, as you no longer have to decide which operating system to choose first. It’s worth considering choosing cross-platform solutions, as they can significantly reduce the time and cost of developing a mobile app and make it easier to maintain later.