Choosing a Cross Platform Tool in 2024

Introduction

After examining the comprehensive comparison between cross-platform and native development, along with exploring the shared principles and complexities inherent in cross-platform development – encompassing coding, compiling, testing, and debugging processes – it is now time to address the elephant in the room.

With 6 distinguished options: Cordova, React Native, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), Xamarin (C#), Flutter (Dart) and Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP), it can be hard to choose among the cross-platform frameworks, especially if you are a CTO or project manager.

Factors to Consider

1. Framework Evaluation Factors:

   • Cost Considerations: Assess the overall cost of adopting the framework, including licensing fees, development expenses, and potential savings over time.

   • Time-to-Market: Examine how quickly the framework allows you to bring your application to market, considering project timelines and deadlines.

   • Development Costs: Evaluate the overall development costs associated with the framework, including initial setup and ongoing maintenance.

2. Developer's Perspective:

   • Learning Curve: Consider the learning curve associated with each framework. A smoother learning curve can contribute to faster development.

   • Native Platform Knowledge: Examine the level of knowledge of native platforms required. Some frameworks may demand more familiarity with iOS or Android development.

3. Practical Considerations:

   • Development Tools: Assess the available development tools, including integrated development environments (IDEs) and debugging capabilities.

   • Code Maintenance: Explore the feasibility of maintaining a single code base across platforms. Consider factors such as code readability and ease of updates.

4. Team Expertise:

   • Existing Team Skills: Leverage the expertise of your existing team. The skills they possess may heavily influence the choice of a framework.

   • Hands-On Testing: Experiment with each framework to determine how well it aligns with your team's needs and workflow.

5. Real-world Scenario:

   • Current Project Status: Acknowledge that your project might not be starting from scratch. Consider the existing codebase and requirements when making your decision.

The best way to choose

You can try and divide your choosing in phases or steps as below:

1. Exploration/Research:

   • Quality Time Investment: Spend time exploring each cross-platform framework individually to understand their nuances and capabilities.

   • Support System and Documentation: Evaluate the available support system, documentation, and tools provided by each framework.

   • Template and Example Availability: Check if frameworks offer templates or examples that can serve as a starting point for your app development.

2. Research and Comparisons:

   • Framework Websites: Begin your exploration by visiting the official websites of each framework to gather initial insights.

   • Web Search and Opinions: Conduct a web search to find opinions and reviews on each tool, gaining diverse perspectives.

   • Comparison Articles: Seek articles comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each framework in relation to one another.

3. Consider Team's Expertise:

   • Assess Team's Talents: Prioritize evaluating your team's existing skills and expertise before delving into cross-platform frameworks.

   • Tailor Choice to Talents: Align your choice with your team's strengths; for instance, if your team leans towards web development, hybrid frameworks or PWAs may be more suitable.

4. Subjectivity in Decision-Making:

   • Recognize Subjectivity: Acknowledge that framework selection often involves subjective elements, and tailor your choice to your team's strengths.

   • Personalized Approach: Understand that the best decision may differ for each team, and the key is to tailor the choice based on existing talents.

5. Empowerment and Final Steps:

   • Information for Decision: Ensure you have gathered enough information to make an informed decision that suits your team and project needs.

   • Create Your App: Armed with insights, move forward to create your cross-platform app, leveraging the chosen framework that aligns with your team's expertise.

This article aims to empower you with the knowledge needed to embark on your cross-platform app development journey. Good luck in creating that outstanding app for your team!