Hybrid apps Development are gaining attention among businesses. The reason is it delivers features like flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and performance.
Developers use HTML5, CSS3, and JS to develop hybrid apps. They can code once and run on different OS (Generally iOS and Android) from a single code stack.
There are many frameworks you can use for hybrid app development. A new epoch of mobile app frameworks delivers a plethora of advantages like,
- Swift development approaches
- High efficiency
- Full-proof environment
The framework offers pre-built elements like,
- Compiler
- Toolsets
- Debugger
- Coding interfaces
Developers can develop an ecosystem using APIs, back-ends, components, etc,. They can leverage tools, libraries, and programming languages.
Developers get the support of an active community, no matter what kind of app they are developing.
Here we have mentioned the best hybrid app development frameworks. Have a look.
Hybrid App Development – Best Frameworks
1. Flutter
Flutter is an open-source framework by Google transforming the app development process thoroughly. It is developed using Dart, a simple object-oriented programming language. Developers can code, test, and deliver excellent mobile, web, desktop, and embedded apps using a single written code.
When you want to develop a visually appealing and interactive MVP quickly, Flutter appears like an excellent choice.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Hot reload | Dart language | Limites set of tools and library |
| Widget library | Increasing popularity | Massive file size |
| Cross-platform development | High performance | Weak iOS features support |
| Open-source | Mild learning curve | Lack of password manager support |
| Native performance | One UI design | Few developers |
| Single code base | Powerful community | No free advanced tools |
| Google firebase support | Compatible with multiple OS | Does not support Android and Apple TV |
| Real-time updates | Not getting a specific look and feel |
Best apps developed using Flutter: Google Ads, Alibaba, Reflectly, Hamilton, KlasterMe, etc.
2. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source mobile toolkit to develop high-quality, hybrid native and web app experiences. Developers can move faster by writing code only once. They can run it everywhere using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3. It provides a library of mobile-optimized UI elements, gestures, and tools for building fast and highly interactive apps.
One key difference between Flutter vs. Ionic is the level of support Ionic provides. Flutter can not match with it. Ionic makes hybrid app development quite easier. There’s no need to recreate something from scratch.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| An extensive choice of UI elements | Quick development | Less performable |
| Open-source | Quick time to market | Possible security issues |
| Quick prototyping | Developer-friendly | Restricted native functionality |
| Theming | Contain a suite of tools, with native compatibility | Not recommended for video games |
| Easy navigation | Front-end agnostic | Plugin-dependent system |
| Graphics | Testing convenience | No hot reloading |
| Capacitor | Easy to learn | |
| Stencil | Developer-centric community | |
| Ionic CLI | Easy documentation | |
| Templates | Wide range of integration capabilities and plugins |
Best apps developed using Ionic: MarketWatch, Sanvello, Calla, Firstly, JustWatch, InstantPot, etc.
3. React Native
React Native is a framework based on JSX and ES6 syntax. It is an open-source JS library to develop native-looking apps quickly. It is based on React – Facebook’s JS library to build UI. But React Native focuses on mobile platforms compared to web browsers.
The fundamental process of React Native is to organize UI building blocks using JS. It helps to create React apps for mobiles. React native apps perform the same way as native iOS and Android apps.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Live reload | Backed by Facebook | Difficult to debug |
| Modular and intuitive architecture | Speed up development | Hard to determine UI |
| Flipper by default | Community driven | Quite immature framework |
| NPM libraries support | Maximum code reuse | Difficult to scale apps |
| CocoaPods Support | Cost saving | Tough to learn |
| Start screen | Strong performance for mobile environments | Lack the security robustness |
| Autolinked native modules | Accessibility | Takes more time to initialize |
| Upgrade helper | Migration | Difficult to manage the memory |
| Project extraction | Open-source |
Best apps developed using React Native: Facebook, Facebook Ads, Skype, Walmart, Airbnb, Uber Eats, Instagram, Tesla, etc.
4. Xamarin
.Net is a developer platform. It comprises libraries, tools, and programming languages. Developers can build different sorts of applications using it. Xamarin platform augments the .Net platform along with libraries and tools. It is specifically built for app development for different platforms such as,
- Android
- iOS
- macOS
- tvOS
- WatchOS
- Windows
With Xamarin, developers can write the entire app using C#. As Xamarin extends .Net, developers can use the large ecosystem of packages and libraries. It is even possible to create your own libraries. It can be shared between any app written on the .Net platform.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Native UI layouts | The fast app development cycle | Inescapable software overheads |
| Native API access | Shared app logic | Time-consuming UI development |
| Share almost 100% of the code | Support of wearables, TVs, and IoT | Larger app size |
| Component store | Performance close to Native | Quite late support for the latest updates |
| Platform-specific plugins | Native user experiences | Restricted access to open-source libraries |
| Back-end integration | Full hardware support | Talent pool and community constraints |
| Hot reload | Simplified maintenance | High cost for professional and enterprise use |
| Complete development ecosystem | Compatibility issues with third-party libraries and tools |
Best apps developed using Xamarin: Storyo, Just Giving, The World Bank, Olo, Insightly, FreshDirect
5. Apache Cordova (formerly PhoneGap)
Apache Cordova is an open-source framework. It enables developers to use their HTML, CSS, and JS code to build native apps for different mobile platforms. PhoneGap is the Adobe-branded version. There are a few differences in the command-line interfaces. Functionalities remain the same for both.
While project development, Adobe has some paid PhoneGap Build services under the PhoneGap brand. It is a hosted service. Developers can compile apps into native binaries remotely. There is no need to install each mobile platform’s SDK locally. The PhoneGap CLI (Command Line Interface) tool can use this service, and Cordova CLI does not.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Command Line Interface | Reusable code across platforms | Not each plugin is compatible with every platform |
| Cordova core components | Support for offline scenarios | Slower performance over native apps |
| Cordova plug-ins | Access native device APIs | Does not suit a large set of data |
| License | Easy to use | Emulators are slow performing |
| Embedded Webview | Quality support from Adobe | Often face version conflicts with the latest code |
| No need to learn any particular language | ||
| Customizable |
Best apps developed using Apache Cordova: Pacifica, Sworkit, FanReact, JustWatch, etc.
Conclusion
From a single platform app to developing hybrid apps, the process of mobile app development is advancing each day. With such transformation, the mobile app development trends have witnessed a major revolution in terms of
- Code
- Integrations
- Script
- Development approach
- Platforms
- Deployment
By now, you will have different framework options to develop your hybrid app. You can opt for the best one if you have predefined app concepts and a budget for the same. Choose the best one wisely.
