The future of the mobile app development industry is a prosperous one. According to research, it will expand to a value of $311.25 billion by 2023.
Fortune 500 companies and startups invest in the lucrative and growing industry to connect with their users and expand their reach worldwide. Additionally, digital marketers see mobile app development tools as an opportunity to offer a solution for users that assists, entertain, and heal ailments.
Mobile app platforms or frameworks are the tools that web and mobile application development companies use to create various digital products. From mobile apps to web apps and websites, developers and designers leverage the frameworks and other components, including code libraries, debuggers, and toolsets, as a base.
That said, here are a few of the best mobile app platforms for 2021 that leading development companies should know. If you have a mobile app idea, then these are the frameworks to consider:
Flutter
Flutter is a product of Google and one of the best mobile app development frameworks. It supports cross-platform app development, allowing developers to create Android and iOS apps with a single codebase.
Flutter is an open-source framework with multi-platform SDKs that makes it reliable for hybrid app development in dart language. It offers Native UI components as well as WebView but uses Skia for visual appeal. Skia is a 2D rendering engine developers can use to visually appealing applications resembling native Material Design and Cupertino widget styles.
Additionally, Flutter allows developers to fix errors in real-time, saving them the effort to start development from scratch. Not only is the platform convenient and speeds up development processes, but it also comes with built-in widgets and libraries. Being open-source, it has clear documentation for developers to consider when needed.
React Native
React Native is a ‘native’ version of the React library. Software engineer at Facebook Jordan Walke designed the framework to speed up development and improve hybrid apps’ user experience.
It is an open-source platform based on JavaScript libraries shared across multiple platforms, allowing developers to use one codebase for Android and iOS apps. Additionally, it uses Native APIs for the user interface, bridged with React and JavaScript, which gives cross-platform applications a native-like performance.
Furthermore, developers can customize the code with various programming languages, including Swift, Java, and Objective C, with React JS. It also has extensive community support where developers can learn and exchange ideas and reuse the codes for similar app features.
Xamarin
Designed by Microsoft, Xamarin is an open-source framework for cross-platform mobile app development. It works on a .NET structure and C# programming language to create native and hybrid apps compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows.
Xamarin is incredibly easy to use for beginner developers. It provides a complete template for developing highly intuitive and functional hybrid apps in a few simple steps. Additionally, it offers other tools for debugging and code editing, making Xamarin apps easy to maintain.
Unlike React Native, Xamarin only accepts programming in C#, so developers don’t need to be experts in Java or Swift. Furthermore, it uses one technology stack for multiple platforms, but it also allows developers to reuse the code. Meaning, around 75% of the codebase, if not more, can be reused to create apps for a different platform.
Ionic
Ionic is an exceptionally convenient mobile app platform to use in 2021 for hybrid and native apps and progressive web apps. It is ideal for companies looking to develop an app for one platform, with a plan to scale up in the future.
Launched in 2013, Ionic supports integration with PhoneGap and Cordova, which makes cross-platform app development possible. Additionally, it is compatible with multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5. The framework offers other features, such as live reload, logging, and emulators, making it the best platform for developers to expand their skillset.
Ionic is an open-source front-end framework based on Angular JS and Apache Cordova. It offers various features, including an intuitive command-line interface, built-in templates, and a high degree of code reusability.
PhoneGap
PhoneGap is a creation of Apache and Adobe and another open-source framework that supports cross-platform app development. Based on HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3, developers can design dynamic mobile apps using web technologies, eliminating the need for writing the code in multiple languages.
Additionally, the familiarity of web technology used to create the apps allows for a smooth and seamless transition into the mobile app market. It enables developers to be creative with access to an extensive community, plugin libraries, and third-party software.
PhoneGap supports apps for mobile and desktop platforms without native SDKs. With its collaboration feature, developers can collaborate on a single project, while the Hydration tool allows post-launch updates to reach users in real-time.
Corona
Corona SDK works much like Flutter and allows cross-platform app development for mobile and desktop. It supports real-time testing for developers to fix bugs and performance issues during the development phase.
The platform uses Lua, a lightweight programming language compatible with multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Amazon, Windows, and Mac. Meaning, developers only need to write the code once and reuse it on any platform.
Corona SDK offers a feature-rich API kit, including graphics, networking, widgets, particle effects, and more, making it ideal for game app development.
However, what makes the platform one of the best in 2021 is that all apps designed with Corona are incredibly flexible, with exceptional usability and high performance. Additionally, it comes with built-in plugins that speed up development, allowing the creation of fully functional apps within a short timeframe.
Choose Your Platform and Build Your Mobile App!
The mobile app market is a growing industry and will only continue to progress with time. 2021 is the perfect time to join the trend with the best mobile app platform as the base for your app.
Mobile app frameworks are fundamental to creating a feature-rich app. So, consult with a web and mobile application development company to get an insight into the best platform for you!
I hope the article helped you understand the various features of each platform to help you make the best decision for your business.
Author Bio
Haziqa Ishtiaq is a Digital Content Producer at Applify Labs, a software development agency headquartered in Florida, U.S.A. She has a passion for writing and has expertise in Blockchain, AI, marketing strategies, and more.
