Overview
Choosing between native and cross-platform development is a foundational decision in mobile app projects. Native development creates separate apps for iOS and Android using platform-specific languages. Cross-platform development uses a single codebase to target both platforms.
Native Development
- Technologies: Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
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Pros:
- Optimal performance and responsiveness
- Access to full platform APIs and hardware
- Better UX consistency with platform standards
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Cons:
- Higher development and maintenance cost
- Requires two separate codebases and teams
Cross-Platform Development
- Technologies: React Native, Flutter, Xamarin
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Pros:
- Faster time-to-market
- Shared codebase across platforms
- Reduced development cost
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Cons:
- Slightly reduced performance for complex apps
- Limited access to certain native features
- UI consistency can require extra effort
When to Choose What
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Native:
- Performance is critical (e.g., games, animations)
- Heavy use of native APIs (e.g., AR, sensors)
- Budget allows parallel development
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Cross-Platform:
- MVPs or rapid prototyping
- Limited resources
- Moderate performance needs
Related Context
