One of the first decisions in any app project is whether to build two native apps or one cross-platform app. Both approaches produce good apps. The right one depends on what your app does and how you plan to grow it.
Here is how the two compare on the things that affect your budget and your users.
Key takeaways
- ✓Cross-platform suits most business apps: one codebase, both stores, lower upkeep.
- ✓Native is worth it for heavy graphics, deep hardware use or the newest platform features.
- ✓Decide based on your feature list and long-term plans, not on trends.
The short answer
Native apps are built separately for each platform, usually in Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. Cross-platform apps use one codebase, with a framework such as React Native or Flutter, and run on both.
For most business apps, such as booking, ordering, account management, content or internal tools, cross-platform delivers a native feel at a lower cost. Native earns its extra cost when the app pushes the device hard.
Performance and device features
Modern cross-platform frameworks render smoothly for typical app screens, lists and forms. They can also use the camera, location, notifications and payments through plugins or small pieces of native code.
Native has the edge for games and 3D, real-time audio or video processing, complex background tasks, and features Apple or Google have only just released. If those are at the heart of your app, start native.
Cost and time to market
With one codebase, most features are built and tested once, which usually means a lower budget and a faster launch on both stores. Native means two builds, often two specialist developers, and keeping the two apps in step with each other.
Our guide to what drives app development cost explains the other factors that shape a budget.
Maintenance and hiring
Every app needs updates for new operating system releases, bug fixes and new features. One codebase makes that simpler and cheaper. Native apps double some of that work, but each team can adopt new platform features as soon as they arrive.
Also think about who will maintain the app in two years. Developers for React Native, Flutter, Swift and Kotlin are all widely available, so choose the stack that fits the app rather than the one that is fashionable.
A quick decision checklist
Lean towards native if most of these are true:
- ✓The app depends on heavy graphics, AR or advanced camera features
- ✓It processes audio or video in real time
- ✓You need new platform features on day one
- ✓You have the budget to build and maintain two apps
What we usually recommend
For a first version, cross-platform is usually the fastest way to learn what users want on both stores. If part of the app later needs native performance, that part can be written natively inside the cross-platform app. See our mobile app development service or our guide on planning an MVP app.
Modus Venture is a US-founded creative digital agency. If you would rather have an experienced team handle this for you, see our mobile app development services.