The invention of mobile apps has considerably improved the connectivity and interactions of businesses with customers. 82% of business owners believe that custom apps have helped them earn additional business revenues. A lot of mobile app development platforms are available for developers, but among them, cross-platform mobile app development tools have gained immense popularity these days. By the end of 2018, it is expected that the cross-platform app market will hit above $7.5 billion.

Before the advent of cross-platform app development tools, releasing an app on multiple platforms was the biggest challenge for the app developers. Developers had to write the code for an application from the scratch for every platform. Then, the concept of cross-platform mobile app development came in the scenario – Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA). WORA refers to a piece of code that is written once on one platform but runs on multiple platforms.

The cross-platform apps work on multiple operating systems with a single programming language. The latest app code supports the concept of Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA). Cross-platform mobile app development tools help save time, streamline the process and minimize the efforts on the part of the developer.

In this article, we have provided a list of most popular cross-platform app development tools that are being used by businesses of all sizes – from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

1. Xamarin

This tool allows developers to use the same IDE, APIs, and languages everywhere. The native iOS, Android, and Windows apps run on multiple platforms using only C# code base. Big companies like Microsoft, IBM, Xoriant, Dow Jones, etc., have used Xamarin to develop their apps.

Pros:

• This framework has its own Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
• Compiles apps in native form.
• The tool has a library which allows writing native UIs once and these can be shared on multiple platforms.
• With C# as a code base, this language allows bugs to be identified while the code is running.
• Xamarin focuses on UI and back-end logic.
• Overall cost is low.

Cons:

• The free version of Xamarin offers limited features.
• Does not allow to use open-source libraries due to compatibility issues.

2. NativeScript

NativeScript framework was announced by Telerik in 2014. This open-source cross-platform mobile app development tool utilizes JavaScript as its base language. NativeScript also supports Angular.js 2, TypeScript and uses CSS for styling. The developer can easily reuse the same code base for both Android and iOS.

Pros:

• It follows “learn once, write everywhere” protocol – code once and port application everywhere.
• Available on all major platforms (Linux, Windows, MacOS).
• Use JavaScript or XML to build UI.
• Native UI components, UX, and performance.
• Offers an exclusive user experience.
• Unbeaten choice for agile development.

Cons:

• Resources are not extensive.
• Cross-platform UI abstractions.

3. PhoneGap (Apache Cordova)

Apache Cordova, originally named as PhoneGap, is one of the highly functional cross-platform mobile app development tools. It comprises of a compiler, a couple of tools for testing purposes, and a debugger. As of now, the Adobe-owned tool is based on Apache Cordova including PhoneGap Build and PhoneGap. Furthermore, Adobe is working on PhoneGap’s enterprise version to enhance marketing features via Adobe’s Marketing Cloud.

Pros:

• Strong and robust backend.
• Hybrid cross-platform frameworks HTML and CSS help create GUI across different operating systems.
• With libraries like framework7, it is possible to support the operating system’s default UI using CSS-based themes.
• No delay in loading the UI related code.
• 85-90% of the code can be reused across various platforms.
• Variety of plugins for utility and programming- Media Recorder Plugin, Image Capture Plugin, Push Plugin, etc.
• Easy to create Android and iOS apps in the cloud without the need for local SDKs (Software Development Kits).
• Supports in-app purchases for the iOS app store and Google Play Store.

Cons:

• It is not suitable for graphic intensive apps.

4. Appcelerator Titanium

Appcelerator is an enterprise-focused cross-platform development tool that lets developers deploy JavaScript codebase with its Alloy MVC framework, OS APIs, and eclipse-based IDE studio. The tool supports HTML5 and hybrid apps for platforms like iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. It also offers pre-built integrations with MS SQL, Salesforce, MS Azure, MongoDB, etc.

Pros:

• Excellent platform for Rapid Application Development (RAD).
• Extensible and open.
• Open-source SDK supports more than 5,000 devices.
• Titanium’s SDK creates native Android and iOS apps and helps reuse 60% to 90% of the same code for all the apps.
• Offers a virtual private cloud option for enterprise customers.

Cons:

• The support team is slow in response.

5. Sencha Ext JS

Sencha offers a variety of tools for cross-platform mobile app development such as Sencha Animator, Sencha IDE Plugins, Sencha Architect, and more. Sencha’s HTML5-focused approach has drawn the attention of some big organizations such as Google, Samsung, and CNN. Sencha Ext JS 6 is an another Sencha product for enterprise users to build HTML5 apps, which can then be converted into native apps using PhoneGap.

Pros:

• Sencha saves the development time of coding, thus ensuring speedy delivery.
• Quick app design for iOS and Android OS.
• Visual application builder with the reusability of custom components for HTML5.
• Ideal for designing large business applications.

Cons:

• There are limited native looking themes.
• The commercial licensing feature is not easy to comprehend.

6. RhoMobile

RhoMobile lets developers develop enterprise-grade, multi-platform, and native mobile applications. Rhomobile leverages Rhodes, a Ruby-based open-source framework, that functions well on Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Symbian, and RIM. RhoHub enables developers to code the application while RhoSync, which is an independent server, allows storing updated app data on users’ devices.

Pros:

• Free Eclipse plugin allows to develop, debug, and test applications even in the absence of emulator.
• It is easy to access offline data with Rho Connects.
• Apps developed using this tool are relatively speedy and accurate.

Cons:

• RhoElements RFID plug-in is not available for free for Windows Mobile/CE.

7. Flutter

Google’s Flutter is an open-source cross-platform tool for crafting native interfaces on iOS and Android. Flutter is written in Google’s dart language along with C++ runtime. Flutter’s hot reload helps build UIs, add features, and fix bugs faster.

Pros:

• Smooth user-interface for apps.
• Fast and easy development.
• Expressive and highly flexible UI.
• Offers complete native performance on both Android and iOS.

Cons:

• Flutter is still in alpha release phase.
• Flutter doesn’t have fully functional libraries.

8. Kony Mobile Platform

Kony Mobile Platform offers a wide range of tools to build multi-platform mobile apps. Features like API connection, automatic coding, and app preview facility make it easier for app developers to develop user-friendly apps. Kony has recently released its Mobile Fabric Platform to bring together multiple middleware tools and cloud service for enterprise-level businesses.

Pros:

• A one-stop shop for UI/UX, integration, back-end management and analytics.
• Fast platform applications.

Cons:

• The scarcity of documentation and support team.

9. Monocross

Monocross is an interactive and open-source cross-platform which uses C#, .Net, and the Mono framework. With Monocross, you can retain one code across different platforms.

Pros:

• Support portable applications.
• A diverse range of APIs is supported.

Cons:

• Lack of documentation and support.

10. Codename One

Codename One leverages popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and NetBeans to develop compatible applications. The platform supports rapid application development. The code is written in Java and the app is tested and verified with Codename One’s simulator. The tool is recommended for the upcoming iOS version.

Pros:

• Easy to use.
• Codename One has its own GUI builder and many niceties to track issues.
• Codename One boasts greater portability than HTML5 due to the light-weight structure.

Cons:

• Not supported for larger projects.
• Visual themes are not updated.
• Due to the storage of all event handlers in a single file, development part is cumbersome.

Conclusion:

Cross-platform tools boost and minimize developers’ efforts. The selection of the framework must be done on the basis of project and resource requirement. If you are planning to get a cross-platform mobile app developed for your business, partner with an experienced mobile app development agency.

Author – Bio

Shahid Mansuri Co-founded Peerbits, one of the leading web development company  USA, in 2011. His visionary leadership and flamboyant management style have yield fruitful results for the company. He believes in sharing his strong knowledge base with learned concentration on entrepreneurship and business.

The app development world has become very competitive because app development companies are still developing more apps despite having millions of app on app stores already. Unfortunately, getting the attention of potential users has become one of the biggest challenges for app development companies. However, this article gives some app marketing ideas that will be beneficial to mobile app development companies.

1. Create awareness before you launch your app

A lot of people prefer to launch their app marketing campaigns after launching their apps. Although this is not a bad idea, it is better to create awareness about your app long before you launch it. Keep potential users in suspense. A lot of mobile app development companies use this style and it works most times.

You can release sneak peeks and teasers on your app regularly before you release it. Potential users will always want to have an idea of what to expect. These peeks and teasers will strengthen your marketing campaign.

2. Consider other platforms apart from app stores

When marketing their apps, a lot of app development companies focus mainly on app stores. Here is what you should bear in mind. A recent study revealed that only 40 percent of mobile users search for apps through mobile app stores only. The rest of them search for apps through blogs, YouTube videos, and other options. So, if you concentrate on only app stores, you will be reducing the chances of reaching potential users by 60 percent. Some smart app development companies now run their campaigns on several platforms apart from app stores.

3. Spread the campaign to all app stores

Another common mistake is restricting app marketing to only Google Play and Apple App stores. Of course, these are the two most popular and most effective app stores. However, there are several other app stores that you can exploit. In fact, there are more than 250 other app stores where you can upload your mobile app.

Google Play store has more than 3 million apps while App store has more than 2 million apps so, they are both very competitive. It will be difficult for your app to get noticed on any of them. The other not-so-popular app stores have much less apps on them. So, your app has higher chances of getting seen in any of them. Secondly, both Google Play and Apple App stores have stringent rules for uploading mobile apps on them. What makes this more challenging is the fact that the rules are constantly being reviewed and any app that is already uploaded may be yanked off if it is found to have violated any of the rules.

4. Get feedback from users

Another subtle way to market your app is to continuously seek users’ feedback. This is a way to get users continuously engaged. Most importantly, users will guide you on how to continuously improve user experience. The more you work on their feedback, the more they will get attached to your brand.

This also implies that you must continue to update your app all through its lifestyle. Regular updates work hand in hand with continuous promotion.

5. Take the battle to social media

It is necessary to market your app on all fronts. So, you should take advantage of the general social media obsession by creating Twitter handle, Facebook page, and Instagram account for your app and ensure someone mans them all.

It is not only app stores that need screen shots of your apps, you can post great attractive shots on social media too. Don’t just take some shots, take great shots. Have you ever come across a shot that made you decide to download and install an app right away? That is the kind of screen shot you should take. A good way is to take hundreds of shots and then select the best ones for use.

6. Start a blog for your niche

Long before you even launch your app, it is important to start a blog to post highly informative and educative articles on your app niche. By the time you launch your app, you will already be an authority within the niche. Once you launch your own app, it will encounter massive download volume.

7. Marketing should be continuous

App marketing and promotion should continue all through the lifecycle of your app. Never stop its promotion. Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook are the most successful apps and up till now, they are still being promoted aggressively. All the four apps currently have billions of users.

So, why should you stop the promotion of your app that is yet to even hit the 100 million app? The thing is, you can only stop the promotion of your app when you are about to retire it for another bigger app.

8. Encourage referral

You should incentivize users to introduce your app to their friends. For instance, for introducing you friends to join some games, you will get some points in the games. Some other apps offer discounts to customers that referred others. This way, the users of your app will continue to share your app.

9. Submit your app to review sites

Some users usually come across apps for the first time on review sites. This is why submitting your app for review increases its awareness. There are several reputable sites that you can try. These sites will publicize all the great features of your app. You must ensure you have tested your app very well before subjecting it for review because its flaws (if any) will also be exposed.

10. Consider a social media influencer

Some people have great followers on their social media account. In fact, there are people that have millions of followers on their social media accounts. These people are social media influencers. They can help you publicize your app. They can tweet about your app and also encourage their followers to retweet. Just be sure that your servers are ready for the volume of download requests that will hit them.

11. Use your website too

If you have a website, you should also market your app on your website. In fact, the download link of your app should be at the bottom of every webpage of your site.

In conclusion, you should be able to get your mobile app noticed by applying all the tips above. However, it is important to remind you that marketing campaigns can only make users download and install your app, only great user experience can make them retain it.

Author – Bio

Manvar Priya Editor of wingstechsolutions. I have been working for more than 1 years as a digital marketing specialist and have helped various Enterprises with their  SEO, SMM, Content Writing, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Growth Hacking and so forth.