Cross-Platform App Development

One codebase, iOS and Android apps simultaneously

Build Once, Deploy Everywhere

Native iOS and Android development means building your app twice: separate codebases, different languages, doubled development time, and maintaining two apps that need to stay in sync. Cross-platform development solves this by using a single codebase that compiles to both iOS and Android native apps. Write the app once in JavaScript (React Native) or Dart (Flutter), deploy to both platforms.

The tradeoff? Cross-platform apps historically sacrificed performance and native feel for development efficiency. Modern frameworks like React Native and Flutter have largely solved this: delivering near-native performance and platform-specific UI that iOS users can't distinguish from Swift apps and Android users can't tell from Kotlin apps. For most apps, cross-platform is the smart choice balancing cost, speed, and quality.

We build cross-platform apps using React Native and Flutter: the two dominant frameworks trusted by companies like Facebook, Instagram, Alibaba, and Google. Both deliver production-ready apps used by millions. The choice between them depends on your specific requirements, team skills, and performance needs.

Benefits of Cross-Platform Development

Faster Time to Market

Develop one app instead of two. Launch on iOS and Android simultaneously instead of building iOS first, then months later tackling Android (or vice versa). Speed matters when competitors are moving fast or market windows are time-sensitive.

Lower Development Costs

One development team, one codebase, roughly half the cost of separate native apps. Updates and new features require coding once, not implementing separately for iOS and Android. Ongoing maintenance costs are similarly reduced.

Consistent User Experience

Shared codebase ensures iOS and Android versions behave identically. Bug fixes apply to both platforms. New features launch simultaneously. Users switching between devices get the same experience.

Code Reusability

70-90% code sharing between platforms. Platform-specific code handles unique iOS or Android features, but core business logic, UI components, and data management are shared. This dramatically accelerates development.

React Native vs Flutter

React Native

Built by Facebook, React Native uses JavaScript and React framework. Apps compile to native components, rendering actual iOS/Android UI elements. Massive ecosystem, mature tooling, and huge developer community.

Advantages:

  • β€’ JavaScript (web developers transition easily)
  • β€’ Huge third-party library ecosystem
  • β€’ Hot reloading for fast development
  • β€’ Backed by Meta/Facebook
  • β€’ Large talent pool

Best For:

  • β€’ Apps needing many third-party integrations
  • β€’ Teams with JavaScript expertise
  • β€’ MVPs and rapid prototyping
  • β€’ Content-heavy apps

Flutter

Built by Google, Flutter uses Dart language and renders UI using its own engine (Skia). Doesn't use native components: draws everything itself for pixel-perfect consistency. Growing rapidly with Google's support.

Advantages:

  • β€’ Superior performance (compiled to native ARM)
  • β€’ Pixel-perfect UI across platforms
  • β€’ Hot reload even faster than React Native
  • β€’ Rich widget library
  • β€’ Backed by Google

Best For:

  • β€’ Performance-critical apps
  • β€’ Custom UI/animations
  • β€’ Apps needing identical iOS/Android appearance
  • β€’ New projects without legacy code

When to Choose Cross-Platform

βœ“ Good Fit For:

  • β€’ Startups and MVPs needing fast market entry
  • β€’ Budget-conscious projects
  • β€’ Business apps with standard functionality
  • β€’ Content apps (news, social, e-commerce)
  • β€’ Apps without heavy native feature usage
  • β€’ Teams with JavaScript/web development skills

βœ— Consider Native If:

  • β€’ App requires bleeding-edge platform features
  • β€’ Graphics-intensive games or AR/VR apps
  • β€’ Apps with complex hardware integration
  • β€’ Need absolute maximum performance
  • β€’ Large existing native codebase
  • β€’ Platform-specific design critical to brand

Ready for Cross-Platform Development?

Let's build your app for iOS and Android simultaneously, saving time and budget.

Start Cross-Platform Project