In previous years, mobile app developers used to depend on just a few native frameworks for developing mobile applications. But today, technological advancement has changed the way mobile app development works. In the present age, there are various hybrid app frameworks that support cross-platform application development.
This has become a common practice, as we have adopted many advanced technologies and many of which became trends. It seems like an endless cycle. The applications that were in trend in 2019 might not make it to the list of trends in 2020. Certainly, many of us are exploring ways to find out the technology that will become the centre of attention and steal the spotlight from all others.
There is no doubt that with time, the implementation of innovative and smart business strategies has experienced a huge shift. A large number of organizations are now switching to mobile apps `from desktop websites, as it has proved to be the fastest way to maintain communication with worldwide audiences.
However, in order to make a successful mobile application, it is extremely necessary to choose the right platform, mobile framework, databases, and technologies. With passing years, there has been a massive increase in the number of iOS and Android mobile applications. Hybrid and cross-platform application development has gained immense popularity. This, the credit can be given to the out-standing frameworks that have been used in this hue transformation.
What’s the Trend Today?
Today, hybrid mobile app development is in trend, and there is a huge chance that it will be a long-term thing. Hybrid app development has enabled app developers to write codes flexibly just once and then use these codes for multiple platforms such as Blackberry, Windows, iOS, Android, etc.
What’s the Confusion About?
According to developers, technological advancement has certainly provided them with various benefits. But that is not it. Many complexities have arisen regarding choosing the right framework. Also, clients today want the best, and they have several concerns about the framework selected for building mobile applications.
To minimize the confusion, here we have discussed some top mobile app development frameworks that would make the right choice for your mobile app. Let’s have a look.
1. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source HTML5 framework for mobile app development. It allows for cross-platform mobile app development, and it is the favourite of almost all app developers. One major benefit of using Ionic is that it allows mobile app developers to make use of default user interface elements like filters, tab bards, action sheets, forms, navigation menu, and list views in their design. Ionic enables developers to put their focus on developing applications rather than spending their time trying to work with User interface elements. Additionally, using this framework becomes easy if the developer has prior experience with HTML5, JavaScript, or CSS. If a developer is using this framework with a native app in PhoneGap, higher performance, as compared to hybrid apps, can be obtained.
Benefits of using the Ionic framework
● Easier to adopt.
● Allows for cross-platform app development.
● Enhanced performance.
● User-friendly user interface.
● Cost-effective.
● Cordova plugins.
● Built on AngularJS.
Cordova plugins are used by Ionic for accessing features like GPS, Camera, Flashlight, and others. These modules can be utilized by mobile app developers to build their applications.
2. PhoneGap
This is also a cross-platform framework. Another name for PhoneGap is Apache Cordova. PhoneGap allows developers to develop mobile apps that are installed as native applications over multiple devices. This technology is being used widely as a single code base can be utilized for creating various versions of a mobile application. PhoneGap supports inbuilt device features like Phonebook, Camera, GPS, Storage, and others.
3. Xamrain
Xamarin is an excellent tool for building cross-platform mobile applications. It is also one of the developers’ favourites. Xamarin has proved to be a smart way of building applications. Mobile app developers can use Universal for developing Windows applications and C# for iOS, Android. It is a reliable tool that allows for flexible and better native performance. Microsoft technology is backing Xamarin, and it has more than 1 million developers. It provides an amazing native UI and also allows the developer to develop an easy to use native application that provides a comfortable user experience.
Benefits of using the Xamarin framework
● Native UI.
● Cross-platform framework.
● An excellent native user interface and control that allows for the creation of a native mobile app.
● Xamarin has been added to Visual Studio and that too, with no additional cost. The Visual Community version is free for projects that are open source, small teams, and also for individuals. Hence, providing a low-cost development.
● Easier API Integration.
● Xamarin framework enables developers to produce efficient and productive code for accessing multiple native API.
● It has a large community of developers.
● The codebase is shared.
4. React Native
React native is considered as a suitable solution for Android and iOS app development. React native has been the most talked and most-used framework for app development in 2019. It is used for building applications on both iOS and Android platforms. It allows mobile app developers from mobile app agency to build apps that have short cycles of development, faster deployment, and high-performance. Developers do not need to learn complex programming languages as it deals with JSX for developing iOS and Android apps. Additionally, react-native offers smooth animations as before rendering the code are converted into native views.
Benefits of using React Native framework
React Native was first used by Facebook for designing its mobile application’s user interface. At first, it only worked with iOS.
The advantages of React, such as a virtual DOM and high performance, are also adopted by React Native. Hence using React Native will enable you to be efficient, and it will minimize the time spent on deployment in various ways.
JavaScript became a ruler of web programming and has earned its popularity with time. Today, every other individual call himself a ‘web developer,’ and the credit goes to Javascript.
5. Corona SDK
Corona SDK allows developers to develop cross-platform mobile applications in a short time. There is no such requirement of having large teams. Corona SDK enables developers to build a solitary code base that works fairly well with iOS, Nook, and Android. It allows for smooth graphic content and interactivity. Moreover, Corona SDK development automatically scales content over multiple devices. Gaming APIs are finely included in the mobile application and allow for easy and quick monetization.
6. jQuery Mobile
It is a comprehensive cross-browser JavaScript framework as it is a JavaScript library that is already prepared. jQuery offers a good range of plugins like image slider, content slider, pop-up boxes, etc. It is easier than other JavaScript libraries as it requires less coding in order to obtain similar features as compared to many other libraries. jQuery creates simpler and interactive and user-friendly web pages. It is fairly readable by every search engine, and in terms of SEO, it is optimized.
7. Intel XDK
Intel XDK is used for creating tablet and mobile applications with the use of JavaScript and HTML5. It enables the developers to develop applications for Nook, Amazon, Android, Windows, and iOS using a single code base. Developers use Intel XDK for one major reason, i.e., its user interface offers drag-and-drop features; hence, user interfaces are very easy to build. It offers app debugging and profiling options, which is why testing the application on various devices becomes easy.
8. Flutter
Flutter offers seamless development of mobile applications. It is a set of software development tools from Google that enables developers to write codes faster than usual. Flutter makes the process of app development easier as it provides a single code base for iOS and Android. It offers the benefit of creating a new widget while modifying the old ones seamlessly. Hence it allows for building responsive mobile apps in no time.
9. Appcelerator Titanium
Appcelerator Titanium features APIs that are independent and help to access mobile device hardware smoothly. It utilizes native user interface components; thus, it delivers better performance to the user base. If you are in search of a one-stop framework for the development of successful mobile applications, Appcelerator Titanium is the right choice to go for.
In conclusion
To be precise, when it comes to frameworks for the development of mobile applications, there are various options to choose from. Almost every few months, a framework is introduced, so you always have new options to explore. The frameworks that we have discussed above have gained popularity because of their remarkable features and ease of use. However, it is never too late to experience a new framework. Modern-day mobile applications require modern solutions, and therefore clearly studying each framework is better before choosing one for the development of a mobile app and mobile app company.