Best Open Source & Paid Framework for Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development

Best Open Source & Paid Framework for Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development

Developers who design applications often have to write in one Best Open Source & Paid Frameworks for Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development codebase and then have to deploy them over several other platforms, to cater this need Cross-platform mobile application development tools are a great boon. The market for these tools is becoming hotter and the tug-of-war between such platforms is getting fierce. If you are an indie or a professional developer you would need the assistance of such application but choosing the best among so many options could land you in a fix. Here we would discuss the pros and cons of the best open sources as well as paid frameworks so you could choose the best for yourself.

1. REACT NATIVE

React Native is an open-source project of Facebook to write, develop, and natively render iOS and Android applications using the JavaScript framework. Fulfilling the promise of a universal platform for application development React Native is an ambitious adaptation of Facebook’s React which was a JavaScript library used to build user interfaces. Since its launch React Native is a favourite amongst developers and hence we will discuss the benefits and restrictions of using this platform for application development.

Pros:

  • Due to its component structure, React Native performs really well in quick changing data scenario and is indeed very light which naturally encourages developers to write better and more modular codes that could be reused. Usually, it is tough and time taking for android app developers to describe data models in JSON format but since JSON is a JavaScript object, React Native makes it easier for developers to transit in ClojureScript maps instead of converting from JS objects.
  • Developers using React Native platform can easily update their app in the background without depending on Google or AppStore.

Cons:

  • React Native is still in the alpha/beta stage which means it is still in the development and testing phase and hence this is the worst problem app developers face. Apps and programs break and have to be written again once a new version is released.
  • Debugging your app is tough if you are using this platform as you would have to use the console.log() method and it would be tiring to locate crash locations.

2. XAMARIN

Xamarin is a paid modern programming language loaded with powerful tools and equipped with an efficient and encouraging interface to aid app developers to write apps for Android, iOS as well as Windows using C#. Developed by a subsidiary of Microsoft this very promising platform and let’s discuss its pros and cons and analyze how beneficial it can be for you.

Pros:

  • Xamarin can integrate itself with Visual Studio for .NET Framework and developers can use all the benefits of Visual Studio to write and render their apps.
  • Using a cross platform language like Xamarin reduces the efforts and monetary costs of app developers as most of the codes can easily be deployed over other major platforms without negotiating with the quality.
  • Aided from Native APIs, Xamarin creates enchanting interfaces and user experiences.

Cons:

  • Xamarin cannot access open source libraries in case of iOS or Android App Development.
  • Apps written and developed using Xamarin need codes and referencing to be linked between .NET Frameworks and target user. This also makes it slow to download and start-up and users often question the efficiency and credibility of such apps.
  • Although made for cross platform app development, Developers have to write separately for each of the platform.

3. MO SYNC

MoSync is a great app development aid that assists developers across write and renders apps across various platforms using a single codebase. It comes with a foundation of C/C++ and its users can develop hybrid apps after integrating it with MoSync Reload and using HTML5/JavaScript.

Pros:

  • MoSync is open-source platform and all its features can be used for free if the developers commit to offer and tag the finished product as open-source.
  • Developers don’t have to do the tiring work of rewriting the codes as MoSync allows app development across all platforms sharing the same codes.

Cons:

  • MoSync declared bankruptcy last year and due to the lack of revenue generation they haven’t updated it yet causing a lot of despair among developers.
  • If you have to develop an app to generate revenue then you will be charged a nominal subscription fee.

4. APPCELARATOR

Appcelarator’s Titanium is an open source development platform where developers can build hybrid apps for all users using unified JavaScript API along with native-specific features. App developers code in JavaScript and also get great assistance from UI abstraction which enhances the app to a great level of performance compared to other hybrid alternatives.

Pros:

  • The use of native UI gives a boost to performance and the alloy framework assures normalizing UI across all platforms hence increasing the efficiency of such apps.
  • Use of JavaScript to normalize codes across multiple user platforms enables and encourages the developer to give the best of their existing skills which can be delivered across diverse platforms.
  • It also provides many beneficial value add-ons.

Cons:

  • Developers have to manage target platform for SDKs locally. This could waste a lot of time as the developing team would have to be very careful in establishing a controlled build environment to manage SDKs across diverse target platforms.
  • Skills required to gain perfection in Titanium cannot be put to use anywhere else.

5. APACHE CORDOVA

Apache Cordova is regarded as the best cross platform mobile application development framework. Developers using Cordova have the option to write using JavaScript, HTML or even CSS. Basically, it is a web application package that also includes a native application container where JavaScript codes are connected to device-level APIs.

Pros:

  • Amongst so many developing platforms, the maximum of developers are skilled in JavaScript, HTML, and CS. So regardless of the background of the user, anyone with basic knowledge can develop great apps using this platform.
  • Cordova apps are easy to install and can be setup just like a native app and also helps in accessing app stores.
  • Cordova is open source and free, hence it’s open to talent from around the world.

Cons:

  • Native UIs are said to perform better than Cordova and often it is criticized to be an underperformer.
  • Open source Cordova is incomplete, you may need an additional plug-in to customize to give your best.
  • These were the pros and cons of few of the best open source and paid framework for cross-platform mobile application development. Choose your weapon wisely and rule the world of apps.
Mobile App Development

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