Mobile app development is a booming industry that offers many opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether you want to create a new app from scratch or improve an existing one, you need a reliable and efficient framework to help you with the process.
A framework is a set of tools, libraries, and guidelines that simplify and standardize the development of mobile apps. It provides you with a ready-made structure, code, and design elements that you can use to build your app faster and easier. It also helps you ensure your app’s quality, performance, and compatibility across different devices and platforms.
But how do you choose the best framework to build mobile apps? So many options are available in the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages. How do you know which suits your needs, goals, and preferences?
In this blog post, we will help you answer these questions by providing a comprehensive guide on choosing the best framework to build mobile apps in 2024. We will cover the following topics:
- What are the types of mobile app development frameworks, and how they differ
- What are the top 3 mobile app development frameworks for 2024, and how to use them
- What are the tips and criteria for selecting the best framework to build mobile apps
By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of which framework best fits your mobile app development project. Let’s get started!
What are the Types of Mobile App Development Frameworks, and How They Differ
Before diving into the details of each framework, let’s first understand the different types of mobile app development frameworks and how they differ.
There are mainly five types of frameworks that you can use for your mobile app development project:
- Cross-platform frameworks
- Native-mobile frameworks
- Web frameworks
- Pluggable frameworks
- No-code/low-code frameworks
Let’s take a look at each type and see what they offer.
Cross-platform Frameworks
Cross-platform frameworks allow you to create apps that run on multiple platforms (such as iOS, Android, Windows, etc.) with a single codebase. You don’t have to write separate code for each forum, saving you time, money, and resources. Some popular cross-platform frameworks are React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, Ionic, etc.
Native-mobile Frameworks
Native-mobile frameworks allow you to create apps specifically designed for a particular platform (such as iOS or Android) using its native programming language (such as Swift or Kotlin). This means you have to write separate code for each platform, giving you more control and flexibility over your app. Some popular native-mobile frameworks are Swift UI, Jetpack Compose, Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, etc.
Web Frameworks
Web frameworks allow you to create web-based apps that can run on any device or browser using web technologies (such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.). This means you don’t have to create separate apps for different platforms or devices but instead use a single web app that adapts to any screen size or resolution. Some popular web frameworks are Angular, React, Vue, Bootstrap, etc.
Pluggable Frameworks
Pluggable frameworks are frameworks that allow you to create hybrid apps that combine the benefits of both native and web apps. This means that you can use web technologies to develop the core functionality of your app and then use native plugins to access the native features or functionalities of each device or platform. Some popular pluggable frameworks are Cordova, Capacitor, NativeScript, etc.
No-code/Low-code Frameworks
No-code/low-code frameworks allow you to create apps without writing code or with minimal coding. This means you can use a graphical user interface (GUI) or a drag-and-drop tool to design and build your app visually and intuitively. Some popular no-code/low-code frameworks are Appy Pie, Bubble, Thunkable, etc.
Top 3 Frameworks to Build Mobile Apps 2023
Now that you have a general idea of the different types of mobile app development frameworks let’s look at the top 3 mobile app development frameworks for 2023 and how to use them.
These frameworks are the most popular, influential, and promising for mobile app development 2023. They are:
- React Native
- Flutter
- Kotlin Multiplatform
Let’s see what each framework offers and how to use it for your mobile app development project.
React Native
React Native is a cross-platform framework that allows you to create native-like apps for iOS and Android using JavaScript and React. It is based on the same technology that powers Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, and many other popular apps.
React Native uses a JavaScript engine to run your code and communicate with native components through a bridge. This way, you can use native UI elements, animations, gestures, etc., while writing your logic in JavaScript.
Some of the benefits of using React Native are:
- High-quality apps that look and feel native on both iOS and Android
- Reuse most of your code for both platforms, which saves you time and resources
- Advantage of a large and active community of developers and resources that support React Native
Some of the drawbacks of using React Native are:
- Performance issues or bugs due to the bridge between JavaScript and native components.
- Write some platform-specific code or use native modules to access native features or functionalities.
- Have to deal with compatibility issues or updates due to the fast-changing nature of React Native.
Flutter
Flutter is a cross-platform framework that allows you to create beautiful and fast apps for iOS, Android, web, and desktop using Dart. It is based on the same technology that powers Google, Alibaba, eBay, and many other popular apps.
Flutter uses a high-performance rendering engine to draw your app UI directly on the screen. This way, you can use custom widgets, animations, transitions, etc., while writing your logic in Dart.
Some of the benefits of using Flutter are:
- Stunning apps with smooth and responsive UI on iOS and Android.
- Reuse most of your code for both web and desktop platforms, saving you time and resources.
- A rich and growing ecosystem of developers and resources supporting Flutter.
Some of the drawbacks of using Flutter are:
- Challenges or limitations when integrating with native features or functionalities
- Learn a new programming language and toolset for Flutter
- Have to deal with some compatibility issues or updates due to the fast-evolving nature of Flutter
Kotlin Multiplatform
Kotlin Multiplatform is a native-mobile framework that allows you to create native apps for iOS and Android using Kotlin. It is based on the same technology that powers Netflix, Uber, Pinterest, and many other popular apps.
Kotlin Multiplatform uses a common Kotlin codebase that can be shared across different platforms. This way, you can use native UI elements, features, and functionalities while writing your logic in Kotlin.
Some of the benefits of using Kotlin Multiplatform are:
- High-performance apps that leverage the native capabilities of each platform
- Reuse most of your code for both platforms, which saves you time and resources
- Advantage of a modern and concise programming language that is interoperable with Java and Swift
Some of the drawbacks of using Kotlin Multiplatform are:
- Limitations when sharing code across different platforms.
- Use native modules to access native features or functionalities.
- Due to the dependency on third-party libraries
How to Choose the Best Framework to Build Mobile Apps
Now that you have learned about the top 3 mobile app development frameworks for 2023 and how to use them, you may wonder how to choose the best framework to build mobile apps.
This question has no definitive answer, as different frameworks have different strengths and weaknesses, and various projects have additional requirements and preferences. However, there are some general tips and criteria that you can use to guide your decision-making process.
Here are some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the best framework for your mobile app development project:
- Target platforms: Which platforms do you want your app to run on? iOS, Android, web, desktop, or all? Choose a framework that supports cross-platform, native-mobile, web, or hybrid app development, depending on your answer.
- App features: What features or functionalities do you want your app to have? Do you need to access any native features or functionalities of each platform? Do you need to integrate with any third-party services or APIs? Depending on your answer, choose a framework that offers the best performance, compatibility, and flexibility for your app features.
- Budget and timeline: How much money and time do you have for your app development project? Do you have a fixed or flexible budget and timeline? Depending on your answer, choose a framework that reduces the development cost and time by reusing the same code, simplifying the development process, or providing ready-made solutions.
- User experience: What kind of user experience do you want to provide your app users? Do you want your app to look and feel native on each platform? Do you want your app to have a unique and custom design? Depending on your answer, choose a framework that ensures your app’s best user experience and design quality.
Based on these factors, you can compare and contrast the different frameworks we discussed in this blog post and see which meets your needs and goals the most.
Conclusion
Depending on what works best for each scenario, you can also mix and match different frameworks for different parts of your app. For example, you can use React Native for the core functionality of your app, Flutter for some UI elements or animations, Kotlin Multiplatform for some native features or functionalities, etc.
The most important thing is to choose a framework that makes you happy and satisfied with your app development project. After all, creating an app is not only a technical task but also a creative and fun one!
