Introduction

Native apps

Benefits of native apps

Disadvantages of native apps

Cross-platform Apps

Benefits of cross-platform apps

Disadvantages of cross-platform apps

Native app or cross-platform app?

Conclusion

Introduction

We started making a first classification for apps’ categories in this article, in order to clarify the ideas to those who want a digital product for their company.

Below, you will find a further distinction: native app and cross-platform app. We will show the advantages and disadvantages of each category.

Native apps

Native apps are developed to let them feel “comfortable” in a specific operating system.

For this reason, the languages ​​with which they are developed vary according to the operating system of the device on which they will be installed: Android uses Java or Kotlin, and iOS use Object C, XCode, and Swift.

Benefits of native apps

• High performance and greater responsiveness – they are better for AR/VR and games with complex interfaces;
• No dependency on development frameworks – detailed documentation and support from framework developers.

Disadvantages of native apps

• If the app needs to be installed on all operating systems and desktops, different development teams will be required;
• Long release times;
• Maintenance on different digital products;
• More economic resources required.

Cross-platform Apps

Cross-platform apps use the multi-platform approach.

In this way, digital products can be created that can be installed on devices with any operating system and can also be used by browsers such as a web app or a PWA, with the use of a single code.

The languages ​​most used to create this type of app are: React Native, Xamarin, Cordova, Ionic, and of course our beloved Flutter.

Benefits of cross-platform apps

• They have a single code for all platforms;
• They need cheaper efforts in time & money perspective;
• Greater integration with multi-platform environments.

Disadvantages of cross-platform apps

• Dependence on framework developers;
• Possible instability of frameworks.

Native app or cross-platform app?

There is not a unique answer to this question. But we suggest meeting your team and answer together to the following questions: how much can I spend? How soon would like my app to be released and usable by users? What kind of app do I want to make?

Conclusion

We love Flutter very much and have really used it on many different digital products: web apps, PWAs, games and more.

Our colleagues use other frameworks, both Native and Cross-platform. The apps world is such a great environment in which every idea can come true.

More than a framework or a language, we recommend that you choose the development team that best suits you. The rest will follow!