The top 6 platforms for mobile application development

As of 2021, nearly forty tools are at your disposal to build very functional, polished native applications. These app frameworks give you a firmer grasp on your brand image and save you time and money through ease of operation.

There was a time when you had to use two mobile application development platforms simultaneously to achieve the best possible performance in each environment. No longer. The platforms we’ve listed are favorites among seasoned programmers and developers because they get better results both in iOS and Android. They make developers’ work easier by providing hybrid code that works on all platforms, dispensing with the need to master a different language for each mobile interface.

Some of the tools in this countdown are even within the reach of beginner programmers. We all have to start somewhere!

SwiftUI, an ideal tool for iOS

In 2019, Swift language developers at Apple came out with a framework using the Swift syntax whose clear, concise operation makes it a great tool to develop iOS apps. It goes without saying that with this platform, your app will run just as well on iPadOS, WatchOS, TvOS and macOS.

SwiftUI’s mobile development framework is very easy to use, with a gamut of options for B2B and B2C apps and efficient transactional solutions. The preview function lets you see your programming changes in real time on several devices concurrently.

SwiftUI’s intuitive functionality, based on automatic recognition technology, generates content by drawing on what’s already on your website. As it offers a wide choice of themes for the mobile user interface, the front-end development is child’s play. But rest assured that SwiftUI also offers a low-friction, functional back-end environment.

Master Kotlin with Android Studio

Does your target customer use Android devices? Experts recommend using the Kotlin-compatible environment Android Studio, which was developed using an environment by JetBrains, inventor of the Kotlin language.

The interface is simple and user-friendly. With Android Studio dedicated to Android apps, what might sound like a limitation is in fact an advantage, avoiding compatibility errors and ensuring your Android environment runs smoothly. From smart phones to connected watches, your project will be able to handle all Android devices.

React Native tames JavaScript

This mobile application framework using the JavaScript language is open source. A community of programmers came up with it during a Facebook-sponsored hackathon in 2015. React Native was built by and for the user community, and the millions of app developers who use it do so with this same collective mindset.

Designed to appeal to both coding experts and novices, React Native offers pre-built components such as buttons and scrollbars as well as the choice to create your own UI graphics. All the features are easy to use, but if you run into a problem, a large community of users is just a few keystrokes away to answer your questions.  

Users value its ability to transfer content between websites and mobile apps, and especially love being able to create all-in-one cross-platform apps. As a matter of fact, React Native now powers nothing less than the Skype, Facebook and Instagram mobile applications!

Emulate Google using Flutter

Flutter, considered by many the next market leader, is the mobile application framework developed by Google. It uses the lesser-known DART programming language, also invented by Google and often touted as the successor to JavaScript.

Just as with React Native, this cross-platform framework is a real time saver because it produces applications that can run both on iOS and Android operating systems. Its open-source code gives quick and easy access to many plug-ins that are simple to implement. Creating the UI is also a cinch: it works by nesting widgets which are fully customizable and rich in properties that can be tailored to your requirements and needs. Hot reload is another major asset that lets you see your code in action in real time and test your UI in the blink of an eye.

The platform is therefore better suited to novices than SwiftUI or React Native, and the documentation provided is very comprehensive to boot.

Xamarin puts you on all mobile platforms

Xamarin was designed to build Windows applications in addition to Android and iOS mobile apps. It uses the C# language favored by Windows, a single code base that serves to create apps for all platforms. Xamarin also features many plug-ins to create applications whose every component is fully native.

Though the platform is not for beginners and requires an in-depth understanding of code and native app development, it’s now possible to combine it with Visual Studio for a more accessible user experience.

Ionic, the best of both worlds

Very popular with developers, Ionic uses HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Built on Google’s AngularJS framework and based on Cordova technology, among others, it is highly recommended for novices. Its components are simple and automatically generate a hybrid code. It’s the best of both worlds: Ionic uses Web syntax such as HTML and CSS to then translate it for Android and iOS environments. In other words, Ionic lets you develop a web app that looks like a native app.

The environment and interface couldn’t be simpler or more practical. In Ionic, creating carousels, buttons, menus and scrolling systems becomes child’s play. Using a web browser, the Ionic Lab tool lets you quickly see what your app will look like on Android and iOS. Ionic’s choices of fonts, array of themes and attractive design are undeniable assets.

The apps’ displays and animations flow smoothly for a striking visual experience. In addition, Ionic has a multitude of plug-ins to create apps that access the user’s camera or fingerprint sensor.

You now know all you need to know to select from among the top-rated mobile app development platforms. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy learning as you go and watching your app take shape before your very eyes.