You're building a mobile app that needs to work on multiple platforms. What tools do you use?

1 Native development tools

Native development tools are the ones that allow you to create apps that are specific to each platform, such as Android or iOS. They use the native languages, frameworks, and libraries of each platform, such as Java or Kotlin for Android, and Swift or Objective-C for iOS. Native development tools offer the best performance, functionality, and user interface, but they also require more resources, skills, and maintenance. You need to write separate code for each platform, follow different design guidelines, and test on different devices and versions.

2 Hybrid development tools

Hybrid development tools are the ones that allow you to create apps that run on multiple platforms using web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They use a common code base that is wrapped in a native container, such as WebView or Cordova. Hybrid development tools offer the advantage of reusing existing web skills, code, and assets, and reducing development time and cost. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as lower performance, limited access to native features, and inconsistent user interface. You need to rely on third-party plugins, frameworks, and services, and deal with compatibility issues and bugs.

3 Cross-platform development tools

Cross-platform development tools are the ones that allow you to create apps that run on multiple platforms using a single code base that is compiled into native code. They use languages and frameworks that are not specific to any platform, such as C#, Dart, or React Native. Cross-platform development tools offer the benefit of writing once and running everywhere, while still accessing native features and providing a native-like user interface. However, they also have some challenges, such as higher learning curve, dependency on external tools and libraries, and potential performance and compatibility issues. You need to master a new language and framework, and adapt to different development environments and workflows.

4 How to choose the best tool

When deciding which tool is the best for building a mobile app that works on multiple platforms, there is no definitive answer. It depends on various factors, such as project requirements, budget, timeline, target audience, and existing skills. You should weigh the pros and cons of each tool and evaluate how well they fit your needs and goals. To narrow down your options, ask yourself questions such as: What platforms do you want to support and how important is it to have a consistent user experience? What features and functionalities do you need to implement and how complex are they? How much control do you want over the performance, design, and security of your app? How much time and money are you willing to invest in development and maintenance? What skills and resources do you have or can you acquire to build your app? Answering these questions can help you select the right tool for your project.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?