Cross Platform App Development: Modern Tools and Platforms

Modern businesses try to optimize their budget without compromising quality. With native apps, it becomes difficult to keep the expenses low. So many businesses have focused on cross platform mobile application development as a way of using advanced development tools at an affordable price. They produce apps that can function on numerous mobile platforms, compatible with operating systems like iOS or Android.

If you consider investing in cross-platform development, you should analyze everything to make the right decision. Make sure to read the information below.

How to develop a cross-platform app

Cross-platform apps are compatible with different operating systems, which makes them flexible in use. Based on a single code system, they are created for multiple platforms. Cross-platform app development allows you to release high-quality products faster and for a broader audience.

Before using a cross-platform app development platform, it is important to estimate your unique needs and business goals. Startup projects are amongst those who appreciate streamlined development, quick turnaround times, and cost-effectiveness offered by cross-platform app development.

Mobile app cross-platform development: tools and frameworks

Mobile cross-platform app development involves a wide range of tools that features individual frameworks. To enhance your understanding, check out the most popular options:

Xamarin. An open-source mobile UI framework brought to the market by Microsoft. It is used to create native iOS, Android, and Windows apps with .NET. Thanks to a single shared codebase, reusability becomes possible.

Ionic framework. Based on AngularJS, Ionic is a complete open-source SDK for hybrid mobile app development. It aims to help developers create high-quality, customizable user interfaces for mobile apps. The Ionic framework can emulate developed apps by means of the integrated Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). Ionic s admired for its user-oriented features and creative user design.

Sencha. A cross-platform tool that aims to design, develop, and test data-based web apps, UI frameworks, and test options. Being a multi-platform app development tool, it refers to business Java and JavaScript frameworks to gain progressive and modern norms. As a result, it is able to deliver data apps for desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. More than 50 integrated and customized UI widgets make Sencha stand out from the crowd.

Flutter. One of the most advanced frameworks is intended for developing native interfaces for Android and iOS. By using a single codebase, it provides development tools for web, desktop, and embedded applications. Testing in Flutter apps allows you to verify the behavior of a method or class. Developers are fond of Flutter because of its integrated graphic engine and efficiency.

React Native. A JavaScript-based cross-development platform is there to address the demands of hybrid frameworks. Its code reusability and easy-to-use functionality minimize development time. Moreover, React Native knows how to create native-like interfaces by means of UI focus and third-party plugins.

Testing cross-platform apps

Every application requires high accessibility from desktops, phones, and tablets. This is why it needs to be tested for different configurations. Does your app meet the needs of real users? Fortunately, numerous platforms can help you answer this question.

Here are some of the most efficient mobile and web cross-platform testing tools to consider using:

Appium. An open-source test automation framework aims to check the functionality of native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. It supports tests in any language, which encourages easier automatization.

Calabash. A test automation framework allows everyone to create and execute automated acceptance tests without coding skills. Test cases are written in natural language and translated to scripts operating within the framework. It works with Ruby, Java, .NET, etc.

Selendroid. A powerful tool for testing Android native apps, hybrid apps, as well as web apps. It cooperates with several emulators and devices with no app code modification required. The testing framework can get integrated into various devices at the same time. The efficient test coding is guaranteed.

Frank. An open-source cross-platform testing framework enables iOS functional tests in Cucumber to be executed on a remote device. It writes structured requirements and acceptance tests, as well as brings a Symbiote app inspector. Testers usually refer to Frank for emulators and web-based apps.

Browsershots. A cross-browser testing framework makes screenshots of web design in various operating systems and browsers. It offers a wide variety of features. Responsive customer support is available in Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc.

Conclusion

Cross-platform app development tools can determine the success of your business project. They literally redefine your app development processes as they streamline, optimize, and secure your application. With the right tools, developers can maximize efforts.

A professional cross platform mobile app development company can help you with the creative process, giving a good point of current needs, recent trends, and future prospects. So you can make a decision based on your business needs and preferences.