Native vs. Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
December 5, 2024
Brian Lee
Have you ever been frustrated by apps that just don’t perform up to speed? We know a busy user requires – and deserves – a quick, easy, and seamless experience.
At Grassland Ventures, we’ve had our fair share of experiences building mobile apps and there are two primary approaches to developing these applications: native development and cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native or Flutter. While both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, many developers, including our team, would argue that native app development is generally the better option.
So if you're wondering – what's really the difference between native development and cross-platform development? – you’ve come to the right place. We’re just going to lean a bit more into why we believe native app development is the better choice for your organization.
The Performance Edge of Native App Development
One of the key benefits of Native app development is performance. Native apps are built using specific programming languages and tools required for the platform they are being developed for, whether it's iOS or Android. This means that they can take full advantage of the capabilities of the platform, resulting in apps that have the highest attainable frame rate, computing speed, and are fast and responsive. When it comes to winning the race, native is always going to come first.
In contrast, cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter use a single codebase that is then compiled for different platforms. This can result in slower performance as the app has to be translated into the Native language of each platform. This can lead to a less smooth user experience, which is especially important for applications that require a high level of performance, such as games or financial apps.
Native Development's Advantages
Another advantage of Native app development is access to the latest platform features and updates. Because Native apps are built specifically for a particular platform, they can take advantage of new features and capabilities as soon as they are released. This allows developers to create cutting-edge apps that offer the latest and greatest in terms of functionality and user experience. For React Native or Flutter, this means it’s often more complicated to address some device-related app issues, and complications are…well, complicated.
So while it’s true that cross-platform development such as React Native or Flutter can be attractive because they’re faster in terms of development time than Native development, these frameworks may take longer to implement new platform features, as they have to be incorporated into the framework itself. This can result in a lag when accessing the latest platform capabilities – as developers need to take time to implement the new functionalities – which can limit the use and capabilities of the app.
Seasoned Frameworks, Skilled Developers
With Native development you get the expertise needed to build a top-tier mobile app. This is because iOS and Android Native frameworks are seasoned with a vast community of developers that have the skill and knowledge to help achieve your goals. In addition to the expertise we at Grassland Ventures have, we enjoy access to a large pool of development talent that can be activated to further implement the solutions you need. While this expertise may exist for React Native and Flutter, it’s less established and often results in timely and costly drawbacks, as finding the correct and relevant information can be more difficult.
In addition, there may be times when your mobile app might need a component that can only be built using Native technology. When that happens, you'll need to bring in an experienced Native developer to get the job done right.
Turning Your Ideas into Technology Solutions
At Grassland Ventures, we’re dedicated to creating rich and unique user experiences. While some of the most popular apps you use might run on frameworks such as React Native or Flutter, we’re hoping to create an even better user experience for you. When you develop for a specific platform, you have more control over building experiences that users expect. When you develop an app using the Native approach, you get a superior user experience. The separate designs – specific to each platform – ensure that the user is provided with a unique and genuine impression of the app.
Overall, while cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter (take a look for a deeper dive) can have some advantages (who wouldn't love the simplicity of deploying to multiple devices with just one codebase?), Native app development generally offers superior performance, access to the latest platform features, and a better user experience – things we think will help you lead the race.
Interested in building an app or learning more about how we can work together? Contact us
We’d love to hear about your business, project or idea and discuss how we can offer custom solutions tailored to your needs.