Cross-Platform Mobile App Development: Challenges and Opportunities

Cross-platform application development is an approach to develop apps for multiple platforms. These applications use a reusable code that can be utilized to create the same features for multiple platforms. Application developers use cross-platform to reduce development time and cost. However, cross-platform development can lead to multiple performances and user experience related problems. Thus, this approach comes with both opportunities as well as challenges.

Let�s discuss them in brief:

Opportunities

Cost-effective

There is no need for writing different codes for every platform, which means there is no requirement for hiring a separate developer for a separate platform and this apparently leads to reduce cost. For instance, there are two major platforms, i.e. iOS and Android, hence, if you are planning to create an application, you cannot drop one because doing so will directly lead you to lose users of one platform and hiring a separate developer for both platforms will be an expensive task.

Reduce Time

As one code can be reused multiple times for multiple platforms, it will significantly reduce the development time. Thus, it will allow developers to complete the projects in less time. Also, the saved time can be invested in improving the application�s performance.

Easy Process

With the help of cross-platform, the overall development process becomes super easy. Further, the cross-platform development framework supports HTML5 and CSS3 that make sure the developers are getting enough time to develop effective and efficient applications.

Increase Market Reach

One of the biggest limitations of using a single platform development is its limited reach. If a mobile application is developed solely for one platform i.e. iOS, Android or Windows, users of other platforms will not be able to access it and it is also an expensive option.

On the other hand, cross-platform development allows application owners to introduce the same application on multiple platforms, resulting in enhancing the user base and market reach.

Challenges

Although cross-platform app development comes with many exciting benefits, but as every platform or software has its drawbacks, cross-platform development has also some, which are as follows:

Switching the platform

Most cross-platform frameworks use their JavaScript subject and this create issues while using the reusable codes. Hence, finding the issue amongst the whole coding becomes a hectic task that ultimately enhances time as well as the cost for the mobile application development.

Integration Process

Another common issue that often arises while using cross-platform is the consumption of more time. The integration process with local settings becomes quite lengthy with this platform.

Limited Updates

The operating system sometimes does not support all the features a framework uses. For instance, iOS platform introduces a new update or adds a new element, you will be required to update the iOS version of your app accordingly, however, you cannot do the same with Android until Google releases the same update.

Sluggish Code

Using cross-platform application development is not as easy as it seems, mainly for novice developers. Hence, developers use cross-compliance during the development process that leads to a sluggish code and apparently resulting in a slow application.

In a nutshell, cross-platform development is a revolutionary technology that allows small and mid-scale business enterprises to enhance their reach and that too with a single application. Further, this process help the users to save significant time as well as money. However, there are some challenges of using this platform, thus, it is necessary for you compare the challenges with the opportunities before selecting a relevant application development process.