Successful Cross-Platform Mobile Development

Build Mobile Apps that Run on Any iPad or Android Smartphone or Tablet Easily

What is Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

Cross-platform development is the creation of high-performing mobile apps or web apps that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems, including iOS and Android devices. This development approach eliminates the need for platform-specific coding by leveraging a single code base that powers an app across all mobile platforms. 

Creating native apps separately for different mobile operating systems and device sizes can triple the development time and resources needed to build apps with outstanding user interfaces. Cross-platform development tools speed development by reducing many of the traditional challenges with mobile app development. 

What is Driving Adoption of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

Several factors are making cross-platform app development an imperative for organizations:

  • The BYOD phenomenon, which requires organizations to build apps that run on a wide range of smartphones and tablets, with different operating systems.
  • The constant launch of new smartphones and tablets with varying screen sizes and new features.
  • The rapid release of operating system updates and security patches, requiring more frequent app changes.
  • Current events that are requiring businesses to accelerate digital transformation and produce more mobile apps that serve remote workers and customers or allow for social distancing in businesses, schools, or government offices
  • Cross-platform frameworks are far more affordable than apps built with native app development.

A new survey indicates developers are adopting cross-platform mobile app development.

Native Apps vs Cross-Platform Apps (Hybrid Apps)

The demand for mobile phones has led to a spurt of different types of mobile phones, with different interfaces and programming languages and a rising number of mobile applications. Given the exploding market for both mobile phones and applications, developing mobile applications can take a considerable amount of time and money, particularly in the case of applications that run only on a single platform.

  • Safety App-2Native mobile apps are written with specific platforms and devices in mind. While these can be preferred for complex B2C apps, they generally take longer to develop, are more expensive to create, and require experienced developers with knowledge of various coding languages. As a result, they are not ideal for internal business applications. 
  • Cross-platform hybrid apps are a common choice for building enterprise apps as they often leverage Rapid Mobile App Development (RMAD). These are low-code development tools that quickly build business apps using a single code base, and put apps in native device wrappers for the developer. These cross-platform apps run on mobile devices of all types.

The Rising Popularity of Rapid App Development for Building Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

 

Why Choose Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

Cross-platform mobile app development is highly advantageous for several reasons, key among which is that it can be used across multiple platforms. In essence, it means that once-written code can be deployed across all platforms, be it Windows, iOS, or Android. With Apache Cordova now retired, Alpha Anywhere, Flutter, React Native and Visual Studio are just some of the solutions for cross-platform mobile app development. There are pros and cons to any development method, but here are just a few benefits you'll realize by going cross-platform:

Less Coding

Speed icon-1Cross-platform mobile app development slashes development time because utilizes a single code base across all mobile devices and operating systems. This approach eliminates the need to code one app for each mobile operating system and tailor each to different screen sizes. By reusing the same code across diverse platforms, popular cross-platform solutions reduce development hours. App updates are also faster and easier because you only update one codebase. 

 

Lower Costs

Currency icon-1By leveraging a single cross-platform development tool, developers can eliminate the need for multiple tools and technologies. Less development time, faster app updates, and fewer developer tools translate to major cost savings.

There are not only technology savings, but cutting developer time in half during the app development process can dramatically save in staffing costs. Or even allow the company to gain a competitive advantage or revenue dollars because they can potentially develop two separate apps in the time it once took to develop two.

Faster Time to Market

Stopwatch icon-1Because you can produce cross-platform applications for multiple platforms in the time it takes to natively code a single app for one platform, you can get new mobile apps to market faster.  In addition to developing once and using everywhere, many cross-platform development tools also do a lot of the routine coding for you, savings additional time. Cross-platform mobile app development also helps companies acquire a wider customer base by targeting users on multiple form factors, which helps explain cross-platform development's exploding popularity.

More Flexibility

One Handed Data Entry icon-1If your company needs to update an app to reflect a corporate change or take immediate advantage of a current market opportunity, no problem. Cross-platform app development allows you to quickly make changes to the single code base of an app, then quickly update it to both iOS and Android. Without cross-platform tools, updates take at least twice as long, which means less flexibility to respond to your changing business needs.

Cross-platform development also offers more staffing flexibility. If you don't need specialized developers who can code for each platform, you can better leverage the development team. You'll streamline their work and reduce redundant development or requirements gathering and testing tasks.

 

App Consistency Across Devices

Data Accuracy Icon-1Cross-platform development maintains the consistency of the app in terms of its user interface, appearance, and other aspects across devices since the same code is reused. A consistent UI is especially convenient and easy for customers who use more than one device to access an application. Users appreciate when apps feature similar usability, display, and other features, no matter what platform they are on.

When it comes to updating apps this is a huge advantage. A single developer can update one codebase and the app will instantly show updates across all platforms, whether it be iOS or Android. This speeds app updates, reduces omissions or inconsistencies, and eliminates the need to pay multiple developers to update apps.


Reasons to Choose Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

 

If you’re a business enterprise who would like more information on how to develop apps with ease, consider using Alpha Anywhere software. It’s a leading cross-platform mobile app development platform with built-in features to speed development of high quality mobile apps. The software builds mobile apps with data integration, GPS, rich media capture and offline capability.

How to Choose a Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Tool

developer-alpha-landing-page2There are many solutions for building cross-platform mobile apps that will work on any device.

When evaluating cross-platform development tools, organizations should ensure the solution they select has the following features:

  • Touchscreen capability leverages touch screens while remaining compatible with devices without touch screens.
  • Functionality across multiple platforms and devices - app adapts seamlessly across operating systems, devices, and screen sizes with outstanding user experiences
  • Write once, run anywhere functionality
  • Sufficient product training, product support, and a healthy user community
  • Built-in features and pre-built mobile app templates to speed success
  • Ability to build offline apps that can run without a connection

Cross-Platform Development Means Happier Customers, Lower Costs

Benefits of Cross-Platform Mobile Development

  • Flexibility across devices, languages, and frameworks
  • Faster development when using a single codebase
  • Lower coding, mobile development experience required
  • Affordable
  • Ideal for business apps

Example: Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Construction Equipment Inspection App-1-1

 

This home inspection app is an example of a cross-platform mobile app that works on virtually any smartphone or tablet.

Build Native Like Apps with Cross-Platform App Development

gbsScreens3-1Alpha Anywhere allows you to quickly build and deploy mobile and web applications for any mobility platform. These highly secure applications run like native applications on both personal computers and mobile devices. Built-in capabilities allow software developers with or without mobile app development experience to rapidly create cross-platform apps. Using the built-in programming language, developers can also deploy their apps to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

With Alpha Anywhere, you will find a complete and affordable mobile development and deployment platform. Alpha Cloud enables one-click deployment, keeping your cross-platform mobile apps safe and secure while speeding them to end-users. 

Alpha Software offers mentoring and training options to help you become proficient and building, testing and deploying mobile apps. Our professional services team can quickly scale your development team if you're facing a development challenge or deadline.


Learn More About Alpha Anywhere's Award Winning Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Capabilities
Learn How Alpha Anywhere Allows Developers AND Line of Business Users to Build Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

Improve Your Development Process:
Get Free Cross-Platform Mobile Development Software