Native vs cross-platform app development: what to choose in 2023?

There are questions a mobile app engineer encounters each and every time and has to query about before starting off to write any software product.

How to transform a given idea into a viable market product?
Would it be far better to opt for a cross-platform framework instead of picking up the native development scheme?

For a business owner, there is a dilemma as well. How to create a competitive product in the most economically profitable and time-saving way?

It goes without saying that in either case, the product at the outlet must be of a high programming standard.

So, native vs cross-platform? As each of them can be used to serve different objectives. The competition is tough.

And in the “Interest over time” search queries in Google Trends, cross-platform development has gained popularity over the native model.

Google Trends “Explore what the world is searching” page.

Just as well, both Flutter and React Native have ranked at the top among the most frequently used libraries and frameworks in 2023 in Statista.

Is there a real dilemma native vs cross-platform development?

As both approaches do have their benefits and limitations, we would like to do an overview of these models.

Mobile application development falls into:

• web
• native
• cross-platform / platform-independent:

– hybrid

– native.

Native implies building different mobile app versions for the iOS operating system and Android platform. So:

• iOS supports Swift and Objective-C as the programming languages;
• whereas those intended for native Android are based on Java or Kotlin.

The cross-platform approach in mobile programming includes a set of technological solutions as well. Such as:
The Ionic and Cordova frameworks belong to the hybrid cross-platform mobile application development.
React Native, Native Script and Flutter represent the native approach.

Let’s say a few words about web mobile solutions. The apps are coded with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript programming language.

Without having to be installed, the apps are available on all platforms and run directly in browsers of mobile devices. This option is a perfect choice for simple software products.

Native approach

With the totally distinguishable native code base and distinctive UI design elements, these applications demonstrate the highest efficiency in operation.

Advantages:

• high performance;
• better user interfaces;
• an ability to use all the features of mobile devices;
• intuitive user interface and user experience.

Disadvantages:

• a pricier solution;
• posing more challenges in communication and collaboration in teams;
• hardly going to help implement the same logic of both iOS and Android apps.

Cross-platform/platform-independent approach

Advantages:

• economically profitable/cost-effective;
• shareable code base;
• shared logic;
• possibly similar UI and user experience;

Disadvantages:

• possible performance issues;
• a bit low operational flexibility;
• UI inconsistencies, etc.

In native cross-platform app development, Flutter and Dart bundle plays a major role.

Flutter offers different models, tools, and patterns for implementing the logic of an app and delivering the relevance of the inquiries.

Hence, the stakeholders are welcome to take an advantage of:

• a rapid market period;
• a simpler process of the MVP creation;
• a payment compensation plan;
• utilizing in multiple market niches;
• a shareable code base
• a low learning curve for a software engineer.

In conclusion

You should choose a native approach if the application is a complex and resource-intensive one, intended to perform heavy calculations. In this case, you should be prepared for an obviously long time-market period, and for high development costs.

You can also aim to

• relatively quickly, create a stable MVP version of the product;
• get a scalable application;
• obtain one shareable code-base;
• save on expenses and time.

In this scenario, you should go for a native / hybrid cross-platform option.

For entrepreneurs, it would be advisable to opt for a dedicated development team to get the mobile app crafted. We have an article: “Pros and cons of dedicated teams for mobile app development” articulating this topic.

If you feel like being provided with extra details on this relatively new, however famous tool set, you are invited to visit our Blog page.

Cross-platform mobile app development with Flutter: TBR Group’s experience

TBR Group has focused on cross-platform framework programming, rather than picking up an option of native development.

Having completed software implementations with Flutter and Dart, we feel certain to highlight the benefits being offered by the native cross-platform app development.

We have applied Flutter cross-platform to program mobile apps for various intended purposes and market sectors. Such as

• baby care babymates;
• babysitting network Swishboom;
• veterinary Vetsie;
• digital payment pingNpay;
• online medicine VinciLabs;
• productivity/work Neural Reader;
• music Wywroty Songbook.

Below goes a description of some of them.

VinciLabs is a healthcare mobile app built with Flutter.
The app has been designed to transfer data received from the patient’s devices to the health care providers.

The devices could range as follows:

• a pulse oximeter;
• a blood glucose monitor;
• a blood pressure measurer;
• other similar devices.

Hence, after being received, medical records are kept and elaborated by the health care organization.

VinciLabs mobile app: “Blood Pressure”, “Measure” and “Take a picture” pages.

VinciLabs enables users to

• send a photo with measurements;
• proceed with the optical character recognition option;
• organize statistical data for a display in the form of charts and graphs;
• notify the doctors about higher or lower-than-normal indicators;
• insert indicators manually;
• create a user’s profile;
• get help in the FAQ section.

Vetsie is a veterinary application designed in 2 versions:

• for the pet parent;
• for the veterinary staff.

Vetsie mobile app: “Book Consultation”, “Book and Pay” and “Add Vets” pages.

Users can favor from the following functionalities:

• user authentication;
• video and audio calls;
• push notifications;
• chat, text, and voice messages;
• subscription;
• payment opportunities;
• history of interactions;
• etc.

pingNpay relates to the sphere of digital payments. Designed for all those willing to process the smallest donations, it allows up to £20 payment in one go.

As blockchain technology has been implemented, these small online payments have been made profitably available to users without increasing security risks.

pingNpay mobile app: “Home” and “Home/History” pages.

pingNpay makes it possible for users to:

• have a quick onboarding;
• choose QR codes for making payments;
• have a list of contacts;
• store the transaction history;
• indicate the payment due date;
• work out payment requests.

babymates is a mobile application designed for dads on how to be a father in the most exciting way. babymates is built to digitally connect dads with the service created.

There is user authentication, and it is possible to set up a member profile and join the community.

Babymates mobile app: “Start” and “Chat” pages.

The users can take advantage of the following features:

• user’s profile;
• building a personal network;
• sharing photos;
• online chat;
• map integration;
• events;
• contact form;

The dad joke generator section will ensure a good mood for the rest of the day.

Wywroty Śpiewnik is a musical application, containing around 25,000 guitar and ukulele arrangements of Polish and internationally famous songs.

Wywroty Śpiewnik mobile app: “Start”, “Lyrics and notes of the song” and “Popular” pages.

Wywroty Śpiewnik allows users to:

• authorize into the user account via Facebook, Google account, or Apple ID credentials;
• create a list of favorite songs;
• search for singles;
• active Day/Night mode;
• benefit from Google Ads.

In every case, TBR Group aimed to ensure a smooth workflow of the app for each user. So that the users could feel comfortable running the interface alongside the variety of functionalities.

You are invited to our Case study page to obtain more details on the peculiarities and challenges we had to overcome.

Summary

TBR Group is a Ukrainian software development company. Our activity is centered around platform-independent mobile app programming with Flutter and Dart.

We have chosen Flutter cross-platform because it allows creating fast, reliable, and scalable and powerful software products, with a stable MVP version of the application.

Our track of implemented mobile solutions can exemplify the potential of the technology, as well as our expertise in it.

You are welcome to get connected to TBR Group and to communicate the objectives of your existing or future product with our team. Feel free to contact us at your convenience and in any timely manner of yours.