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Ever wonder why apps feel so different to use?

The reason: native vs. cross-platform development.

When it comes to building a successful mobile app, the first step is to outline your business goals and the problem the app needs to solve. Do you need a mobile app for a loyalty program? Or a simple training app for users on the move? Regardless of the idea, it’s important to align
your app with your business objectives. One way to do this is by choosing the right type of mobile app.

In this article, we’ll go over the factors that you should consider when choosing the type of mobile app to build, the difference between native and cross-platform apps, the pros and cons of both, and how Big Instance can be your ultimate guide in choosing the best app for your business.

What Are the Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Type of Mobile App

Target Audience: Focusing on the demographics of your target audience is an important step in determining which type of mobile app to use. Having existing data on the type of devices customers use, can help you decide.

Budget: Developing a mobile app will result in expenses whether you choose native or cross- platform. However, the amount will vary depending on the type you choose. It is important to outline your budget before choosing.

Duration: The time it takes for the mobile app to be developed must also be taken into consideration, especially if there is a deadline that has to be met.

Security: Security is essential for mobile app development; both the complexity of the implementation of security and maintenance should be considered.

What Is a Native Mobile App?

Native mobile apps are developed to target specific operating systems using platform-specific languages. I.e. Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Native Apps?

Pros

• Higher performance due to tailored features specific to one operating system
• Stronger security because it relies on built-in security features instead of third parties
• Seamless user experience because of a consistent interface used by the operating system

Cons

• Longer time to develop because you need to create a mobile app for each separate system and maintenance of each app can require a lot of time as well
• Higher costs because you need to hire people with experience in platform specific software development tools
• Unable to reuse the code for different operating systems

What Is a Cross-Platform App?

Cross-platform apps are developed for multiple platforms using frameworks that are compatible for different operating systems. I.e., React Native and Flutter.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Cross-Platform Apps?

Pros

• Faster development as the same code can be used across multiple operating systems
• Lower costs because only one app needs to be built
• Easier maintenance as you only need to manage one codebase

Cons

• Lower performance because of the extra layer used to translate to different operating systems
• Limited access to platform-specific features, requiring workarounds if you want to access specific features
• Limited customization and personalization that negatively impacts user experience

How Big Instance Helps You Choose the Best Mobile App

At BIT, we believe that both native and cross-platform approaches are great but “the best option” depends on your business’ goals, budget, and timeline. We can guide you through the decision process and ensure a seamless development process tailored to your needs.

Here is How Big Instance Can Help:

• Our tech team are experts in utilizing software development tools like React Native, Flutter, Swift, and Kotlin to create seamless mobile apps.
• Whether you want native or cross-platform, we got you covered.
• We utilize an agile development framework to ensure your product launches quickly without compromising on quality.
• We focus on UX/UI to ensure a functional and appealing experience for your customers
• Our expertise transcends to cloud solutions as we can help you pick the best cloud solution provider and ensure that your applications are reliable, secure and scalable for your audience
• We provide backend services such as APIs and microservices to ensure a smooth experience for your customers
• We ensure that your application undergoes testing and feedback for continuous improvement

If you’re still unsure which option is right for you, contact us and we’ll be more than happy to help you find the mobile approach that fits your business best.