Native vs Cross-Platform Mobile Development — part 3: Our Summary

Part 1 Native vs cross platform –What are native and cross-platform app development? 

2 The pros and cons of native and cross-platform app development.

3 When using native over cross-platform app development makes sense and vice-versa & our summary.

In our first part in this series on the growing mobile device market and application development, our developers at Fastdev defined to define two large sets of tools for creating mobile applications. Native and cross-platform. In our second part, we looked at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Now in this final post, we try to summarise when it’s best to use native vs cross-platform.

5 Reasons why native development over cross-platform makes sense

If your application:

1. Will use all the available features of the platform and device (multilevel menu, calendar, animation, camera, phone book, geotargeting, etc.).

2. Needs to be as reliable, safe, and stable as possible.

3. Needs to be able to quickly implement all changes occurring on the platforms.

4. Needs to be able to easily expand the already created functionality.

5. Needs to be fast and high-performing.

5 Reasons why using cross-platform development over native makes sense

If you are:

1. Planning to create a simple application.

2. Working to a tight budget.

3. Limited by time (typically to launch).

4. In need of a prototype or MVP to test the market.

5. Needing your app to work the same across all platforms and devices.

Our final summary: Native vs cross-platform development

Naturally, there are pros and cons to both native and cross-platform development approaches. Ultimately, the choice of one or the other depends on the requirements of the project and the skills of the developers involved.

Undoubtedly, native apps remain the top choice for user experience and performance. However, although they are more expensive, you will be comforted by lower defect rates and superior visuals.

Cross-platform development is likely to appeal to those who want to quickly and inexpensively release their application. It’s also appreciated by those who want their application to be available to a wide audience. However, those who want to opt for cross-platform need to consider potential performance or user experience issues.

Author / Eugeny Glazkov / Android Developer

Author / Daniil Sentsov / iOS Developer

Tech Editor / Alexander Senko / Technology Lead