Cross Platform App Development

Cross-platform app development is an efficient approach, other Android app development and iOS app development to create mobile applications that can run on multiple platforms or different operating systems from a single codebase. It means that if you were in a fix over the cost and time concerns of building separate apps for each Android and iOS to target a wider audience, a cross-platform method solves the challenge by helping you build a universal app, saving you both time and money. 

How's it's done? The codebase (application's logic and user interface) is written only once. App developers utilize various cross-platform frameworks, such as React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin, which are essentially software development kits (SDKs) containing the necessary components, libraries, and tools required to build and deploy apps across multiple platforms.

Our app developers are capable of creating mobile apps using a cross-platform development approach tailored to your business requirements, which provides a near-native feel and a great user experience, helping you reach a larger user base in a shorter development time.

A cross-platform app is best suited for startups, small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and enterprises with budget constraints that typically seek a high ROI on their mobile investments.

• Hybrid app development reduces initial development costs, ongoing maintenance, and the need for two distinct development teams, as you're using a single code base for all platforms.
• To launch an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) quickly and test market demand, or gain a competitive advantage through rapid feature deployment, a single codebase is an advantage, offering shorter development and simultaneous deployment. 
• Through hybrid app development services, you can target a broad consumer base, maximize market penetration, or reach a diverse demography across different devices. 
• Offer a consistent user experience and strong brand perception across all customer touchpoints.
• Managing one codebase simplifies bug fixes, security patches, and feature updates.
• Benefits organizations with existing web development talent who want to expand into mobile without a steep learning curve or extensive new hiring.

The cost of a cross-platform app varies depending on the degree of complexity we’re trying to achieve, features, and the development team’s experience. While the actual costs of custom app development will vary on a case-by-case basis, we’re providing the cost range based on current market research.

A simple app (informational, basic utility, MVP) will cost in the range $20,000 – $60,000, a medium complexity app (e-commerce, social media MVP, basic on-demand) will cost $60,000 – $150,000 while a complex or enterprise level app (advanced social networks, streaming, fintech, highly customized enterprise solutions) will cost $150,000 – $300,000+.

You can schedule a free consultation with our experts to get a detailed cost breakdown of your project.

Modern cross-platform frameworks, such as Flutter and React Native, offer near-native performance for most app functionalities. Apps that aim to fully utilize the device's hardware and software, or gaming apps with high graphical requirements and deep integration, still rely on native solutions. In any case, for the vast majority of business and consumer applications, the performance difference between a native and cross-platform app is negligible and often unnoticeable to the end-user. That's the reason cross-platform apps are said to deliver a "near-native" experience.

Cross-platform development offers the middle path in app development. A single app helps businesses target both Android and iOS users. Building one app significantly reduces development time compared to building two separate native apps. Consequently, the time to market is reduced due to quicker feature implementation and expedited deployment, as devs team works on a single code base. Based on our market research, here are the approximate figures for the timeline. A simple app will take 2-4 months, a medium-complexity app will take 4-6 months, while a complex or enterprise-level app may take 6-12 months.

The "best" framework is one that delivers the best results for your business and meets business goals. App developers and experts at Proquantic assess your requirements to recommend the most suitable framework based on your present and future goals. Both the frameworks, React Native and Flutter, are mature, well-supported, and widely used today. 

To help you choose between the two, here are some pointers. Choose Flutter if your project demands a highly polished, custom UI, top-notch performance, or you want a consistent look across all platforms.

You should opt for React Native if your team already knows JavaScript or React, you want to leverage existing web code, or you need deep integration with native device features.

Fintech apps need multi-tiered security. The notion that only native apps can deliver that level of security and not cross-platform is pretty outdated. Today, cross-platform apps can be as secure as native apps for sensitive fintech data if developers rigorously follow the best practices. The main risks come from inconsistent implementation and failure to leverage platform-specific security features. Our app developers understand the criticality of fintech apps and implement secure coding, robust authentication, and strong encryption during the hybrid app development process.

Choose cross-platform development for business apps, MVPs, and projects where speed, cost-efficiency (40–60% compared to native development), and broad reach are top priorities. Opt for native development if top performance (as required for high-end games, AR/VR, and real-time processing), a high level of security (such as in banking or healthcare apps), or platform-specific capabilities are on your agenda.