The mobile economy has reached its acme.
Subsequently, the demand for Mobile Development Frameworks have grown enormously, with businesses realizing that having a mobile market presence is just as crucial for success.
However, merely breaking into the mobile ecosystem isn’t enough.
The formula of success lies in realizing a powerful vision and companies committing to solutions driven by best-in-breed Mobile Development Platforms, which ensure efficacy, agility, and adaptability.
In this article, we decode what Mobile Development Frameworks are, how they can benefit businesses and which are the best mobile app frameworks that businesses invest in to solve any of their objectives.
What is a Mobile App Development Framework?
Mobile App Frameworks, as the name implies, essentially comprise tools and resources, such as embedded libraries and pre-written code, to support full-scale application development.
These frameworks empower mobile app developers with everything they need to build mobile apps from the ground up. Since developers can find everything under a single access point - and aren’t required to look elsewhere - they build solutions with minimal effort and in record time.
In other words, Mobile App Development Technologies allow developers to:
- Decrease the time needed for every product variation
- Utilize cross-platform compatibility (iOS /Android)
- Rely on the best practices concerning conceptualizing, building, and releasing an app
Mobile App Development Frameworks can be classified into three categories:
- Native (iOS and Android): Platform-specific, using native languages/tools
- Cross-Platform (React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin): Single codebase for multiple platforms
- Hybrid (Sencha, PhoneGap, Ionic): Combines native and web technologies
Best Mobile App Development Frameworks in 2024
There is a startling diversity of Mobile App Development Frameworks available. Companies that make sure to select the best Mobile App Frameworks in 2024 will hold all the aces.
Let us have a glance at the top 10 Mobile App Frameworks to look forward to in 2024.
1. Flutter
Flutter is Google’s open-source framework for developing native Android and iOS apps using a single codebase. It is a revolutionary SDK for Cross-platform App Development that stands out as it uses a unique approach for delivering apps with a native-like look and feel. It is an unmatched and highly reliable mobile UI framework for creating stunning apps quickly by speeding up the development process.
Flutter is a complete framework that includes widgets, a rendering engine, testing and integrating APIs and tools to help developers build and deploy aesthetically pleasing mobile apps. Examples of applications built using Flutter Development include Google, Alibaba, and Abbey Road Studios.
Merits
- Superior performance, top-notch UIs
- Rich widget library for dynamic UIs
- Strong community and expanding ecosystem
- Hot-reload boosts development speed
Demerits:
- Steep learning curve
- Restricted native API access
- Bigger app size than alternatives
2. React Native
Developed and maintained by Facebook, React Native is an open-source, cross-platform app development framework that has quickly become the developers’ top choice. React Native helps develop Android and iOS mobile apps seamlessly. Mobile apps of top brands such as Tesla, Airbnb, Skype, and Amazon Prime are the best examples of React Native apps.
Faster development and deployment are the primary reasons behind the universal popularity of React Native. Other notable features of React Native include reusable components, integration with third-party plugins, and component-based GUI development for front-end applications.
Merits:
- Seamless integration with native code
- Vibrant, engaged community
- Modular, reusable components
- Abundant third-party packages
Demerits:
- Complex app debugging challenges
- Limited access to certain platform-specific features
- Proficiency in JavaScript and React essential
3. SwiftUI
SwiftUI by Apple is the Best Framework for App Development. It allows developers to build user interfaces for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS using the programming language, Swift. The central feature of the framework is its declarative syntax. It enables the developers to easily write shorter, simpler code, which would save a lot of time and effort.
SwiftUI offers an entire suite of tools and APIs with numerous built-in components and unique capabilities that accelerate time to code and enhance end-user experiences. In total, the SwiftUI App Framework allows developers to build intuitive solutions for Apple’s platforms - with more ease, less time, and zero coding.
Merits:
- Native-like performance, platform APIs
- Automatic dark mode, localization, accessibility
- Declarative UI syntax
- Real-time preview, interactive dev
Demerits:
- Exclusive to Apple platforms
- Swift familiarity required
- Limited learning resources
4. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source framework built with Apache Cordova (PhoneGap) and Angular, allowing developers to build Android and iOS apps for seamless mobile performance. As one of the Best Framework for Mobile Apps, it helps developers build robust and feature-rich Native Applications.
Ionic’s most significant advantage is that it allows the developers to use several UI elements, such as filters, forms, views, navigation menus, and action sheets, in the application design. Ionic is a complete framework that enables developers to build Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and hybrid and cross-platform mobile applications.
Merits:
- Rich UI component library, themes
- Angular integration for complex apps
- Cordova plugin support
- Seamless deployment, testing
Demerits:
- Suboptimal performance compared to native frameworks
- Limited platform-specific API access
- Steep learning curve for developers
5. Xamarin
Xamarin is a Microsoft-owned open-source framework for developing native and high-performance Android, iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS apps leveraging .NET and C# programming languages. The framework empowers businesses to provide native performance and unique user experiences to end-users.
In Xamarin, an abstraction layer controls the communication between the underlying platform and shared code. The framework allows developers to build an ecosystem with APIs, back-end, components, etc., using tools, libraries, and programming languages supported by an active community.
Merits:
- Native-like performance, platform API access
- Reusable codebase across platforms
- Seamless native code integration
- Robust IDE (Visual Studio)
- Extensive component marketplace
Demerits:
- Steep learning curve (C#, framework)
- Advanced features may require paid licenses or components
6. Corona SDK
As a widely popular cross-platform Mobile Development Framework, Corona SDK helps build 2D apps across every leading OS. From Android to iOS, and macOS to Windows, Corona SDK takes the edge as one of the most versatile frameworks for Mobile App Development. It’s powered by the Lua programming language, and thanks to OpenGL hardware integration, it comes to the top for its speed and stability.
Corona SDK is the spine of many gaming, educational, and utility apps available in the market right now. Known for streamlining and accelerating mobile development, it’s highly favored and deemed as the most efficient choice for building the next generation of mobile apps.
Merits:
- Rapid development with Lua scripting language
- Powerful graphics and audio capabilities
- Easy to learn and use for beginners
- Robust IDE (Visual Studio)
- Large community and extensive documentation
- Built-in monetization options
Demerits:
- Limited access to low-level device features
- Dependency on third-party plugins for certain functionalities
- Less flexibility for complex app logic
- Low-level support for 3D graphics
7. Apache Cordova
Formerly known as PhoneGap, Apache Cordova is the Best Framework for App Development framework that is developer-friendly. It is a cross-platform app development framework that leverages CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript to build mobile applications.
Cordova plugins enable the developers to access device hardware capabilities such as GPS, camera, and accelerometer to deliver a native-like app experience. Apache Cordova’s notable features include a faster development process with a single codebase and third-party app management tools.
Merits:
- Cross-platform compatibility with web tech
- Native API access via JS interfaces
- Cloud-based build for easy distribution
- Large community, plugin ecosystem
- Adobe Creative Cloud integration
Demerits:
- Limited platform-specific feature access
- Reliance on third-party plugins for advanced features
8. Framework7
Framework7 is an open-source framework that is very easy to learn and use. It allows developers to build Android, iOS, and desktop apps with a native-like look and feel using popular web technologies such as HTML5, JavasScript, and CSS3. Framework7 provides additional support for Vue.js, React, and Svelte.
Another attractive feature of Framework7 is its stunning UI elements, including features such as an action sheet, list view, popup, side panels, layout grid, and more. Framework 7, as the Best Framework for Mobile Apps, makes the development process easy, convenient, and fast.
Merits:
- Native-like performance and UI
- Supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Extensive UI components and widgets
- Easy learning curve for web developers
- Built-in Material and iOS themes
- Active community support
Demerits:
- Limited to mobile platforms (iOS, Android)
- Not suitable for complex, highly customized apps
- May encounter compatibility issues with older devices
- Limited access to device hardware functionalities
9. Vue Native
Vue Native, a framework meant to support cross-platform mobile app development, banks on the capabilities of Vue.js and React Native in equal measure. It uses the simplicity of Vue.js and synchronously works with React Native to allow developers to build feature-rich, responsive apps. The biggest USP of Vue Native is how it allows for real-time testing and debugging of the app and also includes cross-platform components such as badges, icons, buttons, and lists, for the development of high-performance apps.
What’s more? Vue Native lets developers use native APIs and render the performance users would expect from a typical native app. Furthermore, Vue Native carries great tooling such as the one you can find in Vue.js. The increasing pressure to get every app on iOS and Android is causing developers to quickly pick up Vue Native as their go-to Mobile App Development Framework.
Merits:
- Simple and intuitive syntax
- Seamless integration with Vue.js ecosystem
- Efficient reusability of Vue components
- Direct access to native APIs through Vue.js plugins
- Hot-reloading for rapid development iterations
Demerits:
- Relatively smaller community compared to some other frameworks
- Less mature ecosystem compared to established frameworks like React Native or Flutter
- Possible performance overhead due to bridge between Vue.js and native components
10. Native Script
This open-source framework is preferred to reduce the time and code of the app loads. This framework is adept at creating mobile apps that are Typescript, CSS, Vue.js, Javascript, and Angular enabled.
Leading companies prefer Native Scripts because it has features like appropriate backend support, business support, complete access to iOS APIs and Android, cross-platform application, and a native user interface without web views.
Merits:
- Supports JavaScript/TypeScript
- Seamless Angular, Vue.js integration
- Extensive UI components, plugins
- Hot-reloading for speed
Demerits:
- Smaller community
- Limited platform-specific UI components
Recommended Reading: Mobile App Development: An essential guide for business executives
Best Mobile App Development Frameworks in 2024 and beyond: The bottom line
App development frameworks streamline application development and allow developers to innovate at scale. Thankfully, developers have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to building an application that performs across devices and operating systems.
At Kellton, we help our clients build mobile applications that connect them with their customers at a deeper level. Depending on the specific project needs, timelines, budget, and several other factors, we choose the best framework for mobile app development for our clients; after all, we are a technology-agnostic company and believe in creating infinite possibilities with technology. Connect with our Application Development Experts here to learn more about the best app development frameworks and how we can help you with your next project.
Originally published on Feb 2, 2024