Cross-platform development: The benefits and services for startups to build apps compatible with multiple operating systems and devices
The pursuit for seamless user experience resulted in increased time-to-market and led to the birth of cross-platform development, a concept that allows developers to build applications compatible with different platforms utilizing a single codebase and let entrepreneurs save money on making apps for every type of device. But why is this concept important, and what else makes it so attractive and efficient for startups? In this article, we will explore the significance of cross-platform development, its inherent advantages, and a few startup services designed to help you build apps that provide users with a seamless experience.
Understanding cross-platform development
Cross-platform development involves designing software applications that are compatible with numerous devices and operating systems (OSs) like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Unlike native app development, which entails writing unique code for each OS, cross-platform development centers on a more unified approach. Let’s dig deeper into the functionality and relevance of this technology in today’s digital ecosystem.
Functionality
At the core of multiplatform app development lies the idea of ”write once, run anywhere”, which aims to simplify the development process and make it more cost-effective for businesses and developers. This is achieved by using frameworks and programming languages that translate the code into native components for each targeted platform. Some popular tools include React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter.
The cross-platform development frameworks help engineers to create apps with a single codebase, sharing most of the logic and functionalities, and minimizing redundant coding efforts. Moreover, these frameworks offer components and libraries that help to mimic native UI elements, ensuring that the application’s design and user experience align closely with what users are accustomed to on their specific devices.
Importance in today’s digital ecosystem
Multiplatform development is gaining prominence with the rise of diverse user preferences, an expanding array of devices, and the increasing need for businesses to remain competitive. Today, users frequently switch between smartphones, tablets, and desktops, and expect a smooth experience across all their devices, meaning that apps have to accommodate varying screen sizes and resolutions while maintaining user-friendliness. Cross-platform development assists businesses and developers in devising apps that function on multiple platforms, enabling users to enjoy an equally seamless experience regardless of their device.
And with a continually growing collection of devices, cross-platform development proves to be more than a fleeting trend — it’s an essential means for businesses and developers to stay abreast of rapid changes in the digital landscape. As user preferences change and more devices flood the market, development for multiple platforms will remain vital for remaining up-to-date and satisfying user expectations.
Benefits of cross-platform development
Now that we’ve discussed some of the reasons behind this shift, let’s dive into the specific advantages of embracing multiplatform development:
Lower development costs. By creating a single codebase for multiple platforms, businesses can save on development time and resources, effectively reducing the overall expenses associated with creating separate applications for each platform. These cost savings enable startups with limited budgets to venture into the app market and potentially compete with more established players.
Reusable code. With cross-platform development, programmers create a single codebase that can be utilized across different platforms, reducing the time and effort spent on writing platform-specific code. This not only streamlines the development process but also minimizes the risk of introducing errors or inconsistencies across platforms.
Consistent user experience. A major advantage of the technology is that it delivers a uniform and consistent user experience, regardless of the device or operating system being used. By leveraging cross-platform tools, developers can ensure that their app’s design, UI elements, and overall feel remain consistent across platforms, thus promoting brand recognition and increased user satisfaction.
Time efficiency. Since cross-platform development requires writing a single codebase for multiple platforms, it allows developers to release apps simultaneously on different platforms. This ultimately speeds up the app development process and helps businesses get their products to market faster, which can be crucial in getting ahead of competitors.
Easy maintenance. Cross-platform apps are relatively easier to maintain and update compared to their native counterparts. Any changes, bug fixes, or updates applied to the codebase are automatically reflected across all platforms, eliminating the need to modify each platform-specific code separately. This simplification of maintenance and updating procedures ultimately saves time and resources for businesses.
From lower development costs to a consistent user experience, these advantages enable startups and established businesses to meet the diverse and ever-growing needs of the digital ecosystem more efficiently. In the next section, we will explore some startup services that can guide and support you in venturing into the world of cross-platform engineering for your applications.
Experience the benefits of cross-platform development in practice.
Сross-platform development services for startups
The truth is that startups need every ounce of support they can get to break into the competitive app market, and that’s where third-party services might be helpful. These services are specifically designed to assist rookie entrepreneurs, making the process more efficient, cost-effective, and accessible. From end-to-end MVP development to various consultancy services, these offerings are tailored to meet the unique needs of young and growing businesses.
Utilizing third-party startup services can give your app a competitive edge and widen its audience reach for several reasons:
MVP development. Some services for startups focus on delivering minimum viable products (MVPs), which enable your app to enter the market quickly and test its potential. An MVP includes the essential features required to assess user engagement and preferences, without the very high development costs usually associated with cross-platform apps.
Technical consultancy. From assessing your project’s feasibility to recommending the most suitable development approach, technical consultants can help you make informed decisions throughout the development process. By leveraging their expertise, your startup can optimize the cross-platform strategy, ensuring the app reaches its target audience across different devices and platforms.
UI/UX design. A well-designed UI/UX is crucial for striking a chord with users; startup services offering UI/UX design assistance can help you create a consistent and engaging experience across various platforms. This user-centric approach ultimately translates to higher user satisfaction and wider audience reach.
Quality assurance and testing. Ensuring the app is bug-free and functions seamlessly across multiple platforms can be a challenging task. Many startup services provide rigorous testing procedures to ensure top-notch app performance, which contributes to a smooth user experience and increased user satisfaction.
Post-launch support. The app development journey doesn’t end with deployment; post-launch maintenance and updates are crucial for retaining users. Startup services often provide ongoing support, such as feature enhancements and bug fixes, ensuring your app remains fresh and relevant to its user base.
App development. Finally, services for startups provide end-to-end development capabilities. This involves designing the user experience and interface, coding the functionality, testing for bugs, and deploying the end product across multiple platforms. Such services provide a cost-effective way to launch and scale your app, ensuring it features the latest best practices and technology standards.
By leveraging the tailored support of third-party startup services, you can optimize every aspect of your cross-platform app development process. To give you a better understanding of how every aspect is performed, below is the table of our services with descriptions and costs. We did not include QA and testing in the table as we run automated tests throughout the process of development.
| Service | Cost | What for? | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP development | $30,000+ for standard development $50,000+ for urgent development | to quickly launch a unique business idea, impress investors, or test a market hypothesis | 2–3 months — standard 1 month — urgent |
| Technical consultancy | $1,000+/month | to guide your startup’s progress and identify the best technological approach | subscription-based service |
| UI/UX design | $5,000–$10,000 for mobile or web interface design | to get interface designs ready for development | 3–4 weeks |
| Post-launch support | $1,000+/month | to offer continuous support, keeping the app updated and relevant for users | subscription-based service |
| End-to-end app development | $40,000–$50,000+ | to convert ideas into effective, user-friendly mobile apps user-friendly mobile apps | 3–4 months |
Key features of reliable cross-platform development services providers
Selecting the right service that specializes in development for different platforms is crucial to ensure the success of your application. To make a well-informed decision, you should be aware of the key features that reliable cross-platform development services should possess. Here are some essential attributes to look for in services provider:
Portfolio and experience. Evaluate the software development company’s portfolio of previous projects and their experience working with cross-platform development technologies. A diverse and comprehensive portfolio covering various industries, platforms, and project sizes illustrates their competence and adaptability. We share our expertise on many platforms. For example, to view our cases, you can check the website, Dribbble, Behance, or our Instagram.
Strong collaboration and communication. The development process should involve ongoing collaboration and open communication channels. A software company that emphasizes transparent and consistent communication will keep you updated on project progress, enabling you to make informed decisions and contribute to the development process significantly.
Agile methodology. Opt for a company that follows the Agile development methodology, which focuses on flexibility, iterative progress, and other best practices that enable course correction and adjustment during the development process. This approach will ensure that the project adapts to changing requirements and continuously improves the product.
Security and compliance. The software company should prioritize and implement security measures in the development process, ensuring that your app remains secure from possible vulnerabilities. Additionally, they should have experience with compliance requirements relevant to your industry (such as GDPR or HIPAA) and ensure that your application meets these standards.
Post-development support. Choose a company that offers post-development support in the form of bug fixes, software updates, security patches, and other maintenance activities. This assures that your app remains efficient, secure, and up-to-date even after its initial release.
Cost-effectiveness and flexibility. While cost should not be the only factor in your decision, it is essential to consider a company that provides cost-effective and flexible pricing models tailored to your startup’s budget and requirements, without compromising on quality and efficiency.
Client testimonials and references. Research client testimonials and references to gauge the software company’s reputation, work quality, and level of client satisfaction. Positive reviews and recommendations from previous clients can serve as strong indicators of the company’s reliability and trustworthiness. To find real feedback on services, check independent reviews on Clutch and Goodfirms.
Dedicated project management. A software company that assigns a dedicated project manager to coordinate and oversee your project’s development process will ensure efficient workflow, quick issue resolution, and coordination between development teams and stakeholders.
Adaptability and innovation. Choose a software company that demonstrates adaptability and keeps up to date with the latest industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices in cross-platform development. This will ensure that your application is at the forefront of innovation and meets industry standards. To gain a deeper understanding of our technology stack, we invite you to visit our regularly updated page on Tech radar platform.
By keeping these key features in mind, you can confidently select reliable cross-platform development services for startups that cater to your unique app development needs effectively. Combining your business vision with a robust development service can accelerate your app’s journey and help you create a high-quality, seamless, and versatile application.
Results of successful collaboration
Use this checklist to ensure your cross-platform application encompasses key features.
Performance- High responsiveness
- Smooth transitions/animations
- Low battery consumption
- Integration with various platforms
- Real-time synchronization across devices
- Offline functionality
- Native look and feel
- Consistent branding across platforms
- Accessibility compliance
- Code reusability
- Modular architecture
- Regular updates and bug fixes
- Adaptable user interface components
- Robust API integrations
- Compatibility with third-party libraries
- Data encryption
- User authentication and authorization
- Industry-specific compliance adherence
- Efficient handling of increased user traffic
- Seamless addition of new features and functionalities
- Compatibility with evolving platform and device requirements
By following this checklist, you can ensure your cross-platform application addresses crucial features contributing to a successful user experience across multiple platforms. However, what are the frameworks available to help you build a cross-platform application?
Popular cross-platform development tools
Several tools are available in the market, each offering unique benefits and advantages. In this section, we will provide an overview of the most popular cross-platform development tools, including Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin.
Flutter
Flutter by Google is an open-source UI toolkit allowing developers to create apps that are natively compiled for different platforms using a single codebase. Its Skia graphics engine, expressive and flexible UI, and Dart programming language contribute to a fast development process and visually appealing applications. Flutter’s popularity has consistently grown, making it an attractive choice for startups and businesses looking to build cross-platform apps.
React Native
Created by Facebook, React Native is a framework that helps to build cross-platform apps with JavaScript and the React library. By providing access to native components and API bindings, React Native achieves native-like performance and user experience that many developers find exceedingly valuable. Its extensive collection of components, large developer community, and compatibility with third-party libraries make it an excellent choice for those looking to deliver high-quality, seamless cross-platform applications.
Xamarin
A product of Microsoft, Xamarin is a platform for development that allows developers to write native Android, iOS, and Windows applications using C# and the .NET framework. Xamarin simplifies development by providing a shared codebase, extensive libraries, and access to native device features. Its seamless integration with Microsoft’s Visual Studio and Azure cloud services creates a comprehensive development environment for creating scalable and robust applications.
Why do we prefer React Native?
While each of these tools has its unique strengths and capabilities, React Native has garnered significant attention in the cross-platform development community due to its ability to deliver native-like performance and bridge the gap between JavaScript and native code. With a thriving developer community, regular updates, and a vast array of components, React Native provides a strong foundation for developing cross-platform applications that cater to diverse user preferences while maintaining a high-quality user experience.
Another reason for us to choose React Native is that it enables fast development and iteration cycles, thanks to features like hot-reloading and easy integration with third-party libraries. Its architecture allows for smooth communication between native and JavaScript modules, ensuring efficient performance even with complex apps. React Native’s compatibility with various platforms makes it a go-to choice for many startups and businesses aiming to build apps that serve a wide range of users across different devices and operating systems.
Thus, by choosing the right tool for cross-platform development, your business can enjoy the benefits of lower development costs, faster time-to-market, and a broader user base, ensuring success in the competitive app market. Check the table to make your own decision.
| Feature | React Native | Flutter | Xamarin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript | Dart | C# |
| Performance | High (close to native) | Moderate to high | Moderate to high |
| Ecosystem and community | Large, mature and active community | Growing community, backed by Google | Well-established community, backed by Microsoft |
| UI components | Native components, high-quality UI | Proprietary components, customizable UI | Native components, high-quality UI |
| Hot reloading | Yes | Yes | Limited (Xamarin.Forms only) |
| Integration with native modules | Seamless native module integration | Fair compatibility with native modules | Good integration with native APIs |
| Code reusability | High, with native module exceptions | High across Android, iOS, and web | High, with platform-specific code cases |
| Third-party libraries support | Extensive | Good but still growing | Excellent |
| Developer productivity | High, with excellent tools and hot-reloading | High, thanks to a strong set of development tools | Moderate, efficient with the help of Xamarin.Forms |
Case studies: Success stories in cross-platform app development
Developing cross-platform apps has increasingly become a popular choice for companies looking to create high-quality, cost-efficient applications for multiple platforms simultaneously. In this section, we will explore three success stories of companies that embraced multiplatform development, resulting in outstanding applications that have boosted their business growth.
Facebook Ads Manager
Facebook Ads Manager, built using React Native, serves as the primary tool for managing campaigns and ads throughout Facebook’s advertising ecosystem. By leveraging the strengths of React Native, Facebook developers were able to build a highly performant application that caters to a broad user base across Android and iOS devices. React Native’s extensive library and community support streamlined the development process, resulting in a feature-rich app that showcases the power of cross-platform development.
Check more successful cases of leveraging React Native framework in the related article Best apps built with React Native
Alibaba
Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, adopted Flutter for their Xianyu mobile app, which caters to millions of users. The decision to use Flutter enabled Alibaba’s developers to unify their codebase, leading to increased consistency and efficiency in the development process. With Flutter’s expressive, flexible UI and seamless performance, the application offers an exceptional user experience across Android and iOS platforms. As a result, Alibaba’s Xianyu app serves as a prime example of Flutter’s capabilities in building advanced cross-platform applications.
Microsoft Office Suite
Microsoft leveraged Xamarin to build its Office Suite of apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for Android and iOS platforms. Xamarin’s integration with C# and .NET framework allowed Microsoft developers to reutilize a significant portion of the existing codebase, saving time and resources. The Xamarin-built Office Suite app provides consistent, native-like user experience and performance on both Android and iOS devices, supporting the productivity needs of millions of users worldwide.
These case studies show that cross-platform development can lead to impressive app performance, seamless user experiences, and substantial cost savings. By adopting cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin, businesses can create successful applications that cater to a wide audience while maintaining their brand consistency and quality across platforms. At Ronas IT, we have utilized React Native to develop cross-platform apps, showcasing our expertise and commitment to this approach.
To sum up
The world of app development has greatly benefitted from the emergence of cross-platform development, which significance lies in its ability to reduce development costs, improve time efficiency, deliver a consistent user experience, and ensure a broader market reach. By leveraging expert startup services in cross-platform development, both young and established businesses can effectively address the diverse and growing digital ecosystem, building applications that cater to users across different devices and operating systems.