Top 10 Best Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks in 2024

Introduction to Cross-Platform App Development

The concept of cross-platform app development frameworks has revolutionized the way apps are developed. It allows the developers to develop an app that seamlessly runs on different operating systems with minimal or no modifications at all. With the booming smartphone industry and consumers using a variety of devices, it is quite expensive and time-consuming to develop a native app for each platform which is not feasible for most of the businesses. This is where cross-platform development solves the problem by using a single codebase for different platforms.

Why Cross-Platform Development?

The key benefits of cross-platform development are:

• Cost Effective: Developing a single app that is compatible with multiple platforms is way more affordable than developing separate apps for each platform.
• Time Saver: A unified codebase helps in developing and deploying the app in quicker time.
• Consistency: It ensures a consistent user experience across various platforms.
• Larger Audience Reach: A single app developed with this framework can be published across both iOS and Android devices expanding the user base.

Also Read: 10 Best Mobile App Development Tips for Small Business

Best Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks in 2024

1. Flutter

Overview

The flutter cross-platform development framework by Google has been leading the market since its introduction. The single codebase of this framework enables the developers to build natively compiled apps for mobile, web and desktop platforms.

Key Features

• Hot Reload: The framework’s hot reload feature allows the developers to instantly view the changes they make without restarting the app.
• Rich Widgets: Flutter offers a wide range of customizable widgets with Material Design and Cupertino (iOS) standards.
• Strong Community Support: The vibrant community of developers constantly works towards the betterment of the framework.

Recent Developments

Flutter has announced a set of improvements in 2024 including enhanced performance, smaller app sizes, and improved support for the foldable devices. The integration of Dart language has also been made better to provide a hassle-free app development experience.

Why Choose Flutter?

Flutter offers a complete set of tools and is extremely easy to use which makes it perfect for businesses that want to roll out quality apps in a short time. Some of the reputed companies like Alibaba, Google Ads and others are using Flutter and proving its worth in the market.

2. React Native

Overview

Supported by Facebook, React Native continues to be the preferred choice of millions of developers across the globe for cross-platform mobile app development. The ability to use JavaScript and React to develop mobile apps is highly appreciated.

Key Features

• Reusable Components: React Native allows the developers to reuse the code which increases the development speed.
• Third-Party Plugins: There is a vast library of third-party plugins that can be used to perform additional tasks.
• Fast Refresh: React Native’s hot reload feature makes it faster to test and debug the apps.

Recent Developments

The developments of React Native in 2024 are majorly focused on enhancing the architecture and its integration with Fabric, a new rendering engine. This will greatly enhance the overall performance and reliability.

Why Choose React Native?

If you are familiar with JavaScript and React, React Native is a perfect choice for you. The efficiency of the framework to create visually rich apps with native look and feel is unparalleled. Instagram, Airbnb, and others are some of the prominent companies using React Native.

3. Xamarin

Overview

A product of Microsoft, Xamarin is a potent cross-platform app development framework that uses C# as the programming language. It perfectly integrates with the .NET ecosystem and is a great choice for enterprise-level app development.

Key Features

• Native Performance: Xamarin apps offer native performance and user experience.
• Complete Development Ecosystem: Xamarin includes Xamarin.Forms, Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android.
• Azure Integration: Apps with cloud-based back end services can be perfectly created using Xamarin.

Recent Developments

Xamarin developments in 2024 are majorly focused on enhancing the performance and its integration with the Visual Studio 2024 to give a better experience to the developers.

Why Choose Xamarin?

If you are working with the Microsoft ecosystem, Xamarin is undoubtedly the best choice you have. Also, the ability to create high-performance apps with native look and feel makes it a strong contender for the enterprise segment.

4. Ionic

Overview

Ionic is an open-source framework that allows the developers to create high-quality mobile and desktop apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Key Features

• Web Standards-Based: Since the framework uses standard web technologies, it is easy to adapt for any web developer.
• Comprehensive UI Components: Ionic offers a rich library of customizable UI components that helps in creating polished apps.
• Capacitor Integration: Capacitor acts as a bridge to provide access to native device functionalities.

Recent Developments

Ionic developments in 2024 are majorly focused on its Capacitor platform to improve the performance. Also, there are additions to the plugin library to provide more native device functionalities.

Why Choose Ionic?

Since Ionic heavily relies on web technologies, it is an excellent choice for web developers to leverage their skills and create mobile apps. The high-performance apps with unified codebase is an added advantage.

5. Apache Cordova

Overview

Previously known as PhoneGap, Apache Cordova enables the developers to create mobile apps using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. It provides a bunch of APIs to access the native device functionalities.

Key Features

• Device APIs: Native device functionalities like camera, accelerometer, etc can be accessed using the API(s).
• Extensive Plugin Library: There is a wide range of plugins that can be used to perform additional tasks.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Major platforms including iOS, Android and Windows are supported by Cordova.

Recent Developments

Apache Cordova has been updated in 2024 to improve the security and performance. Also, the community has released new plugins to support the emerging technologies.

Why Choose Apache Cordova?

Cordova is an excellent choice for web developers to leverage their existing skills and create mobile apps. The extensive plugin ecosystem and community support makes it a perfect cross-platform mobile app development framework.

6. NativeScript

Overview

NativeScript is an open-source framework that allows the developers to build native mobile apps using Angular, Vue.js or plain JavaScript. It provides direct access to native APIs.

Key Features

• Truly Native UI: Native UI components are used by the framework which provides a natural user experience.
• JavaScript and TypeScript Support: NativeScript supports both Angular and Vue.js frameworks along with plain JavaScript.
• Rich Plugins and Marketplace: There is a wide range of plugins that can be used to perform additional tasks.

Recent Developments

NativeScript developments in 2024 are majorly focused on its performance and support to more Angular and Vue.js features to make it more powerful and flexible.

Why Choose NativeScript?

If you wish to create native apps from a single codebase, then NativeScript is undoubtedly the best choice you have. Since it allows the use of Angular and Vue.js frameworks, it is a great option for developers familiar with it.

7. Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM)

Overview

Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) is a modern cross-platform mobile app development framework from JetBrains that enables the developers to use Kotlin for cross-platform development and share the common code between iOS and Android apps.

Key Features

• Code Sharing: It is possible to share the code between the platforms while retaining the ability to write platform-specific code.
• Seamless Integration: KMM works with the existing native codebase and also with native libraries.
• Powerful Language Features: KMM leverages the modern language features of Kotlin to provide robust development.

Recent Developments

In 2024, KMM worked on its tooling and documentation to make it easier for the developers to adopt and integrate it into their workflow. Performance improvements are also done this year.

Why Choose KMM?

KMM is perfectly suited for Kotlin enthusiasts to streamline their development workflow between iOS and Android. The ability to share the code while retaining platform-specific functionality is a huge advantage.

8. Unity

Overview

Unity is one of the powerhouses in the current game development industry, yet its potential and usage are not limited to gaming. It allows developers to make 2D, 3D, AR, and VR experiences targeting many mobile, desktop, and web platforms.

Key Features

• Rich Asset Store: A repository with a lot of assets and plugins people can use to speed up their development.
• Cross-Platform Deployment: It supports iOS, Android, Windows, and console deployment.
• Advanced Graphics Capabilities: Some advanced graphics capabilities include creating grand visions with excellent tools.

Recent Developments

In 2024, Unity improved AR and VR capabilities with new performance optimization tools and integrated cloud services for multiplayer and social gaming characteristics.

Why Choose Unity?

Unity is a versatile framework that allows developers to develop and embed experiences. With many of the high-level features it supports, there is no reason Unity could not apply to most other kinds of applications.

9. Sencha Ext JS

Overview

Sencha Ext JS is a powerful JavaScript application builder for data-intensive web and mobile applications. It has a well-stocked array of user interface components and a toolkit for creating robust apps.

Key Features

• Extensive UI Components: Over 140 UI components to develop feature-rich applications.
• Data-driven approach: strong data-handling capabilities in the face of complex applications.
• Responsive Design: Tools to create applications that work on any device and screen size.

Recent Developments

In 2024, Sencha Ext JS was released with new themes and components, better performance, and integrated modern development tools. 

Why Sencha Ext JS?

Sencha Ext JS is best suited for developers creating data-driven applications that need a versatile and wide array of UI components. It guarantees high flexibility in developing enterprise-class applications through its robust architecture and performance optimization tools.

10. Fel

Overview

Felgo is a development tool for cross-platform applications based on the Qt framework and speeds up the app development process. It is optimized for game development but can also develop business applications.

Main Features

• Quick Development: some tools and features take into account quick prototyping and rapid application development.
• Hot Code Reloading: The app can be updated without recomputing.
• Integrated Game Engine: This is a robust set of tools used in game development.

Recent Developments

By 2024, Felgo had enhanced game development functions and characteristics, added new plugins, and improved augmented reality support. Why Felgo? Felgo Games is excellent for developers; games and business applications can be made with fast development tools and a powerful game engine. 

Also Read: Top 10 Mobile App Development Software For Beginners

Wrapping Up

It is essential to choose the most effective cross-platform framework for project delivery. All the quoted frameworks have different peculiarities and benefits that may relate to the type of subsequent expertise or need. CyberWorks Technologies is a one-stop shop for all needs in creating apps, being either a developer or a business in search of a good partner. 

CyberWorks can bring your app ideas alive with an experienced and professional team that is in touch with the latest technologies—effortlessly. CyberWorks Technologies comes up with splendid results for anything from simple mobile apps to something complex meant for enterprises.

Also Read:Top 10 iOS Frameworks for Effective Mobile App Development