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One of the first technical decisions in a mobile project is whether to build separate native apps for Android and iOS or a single cross-platform app. The right choice depends on what your app does, not on which approach is fashionable.
Cross-platform frameworks
Frameworks such as React Native and Ionic let one codebase run on both platforms. For most business apps — bookings, ordering, account management, field-staff tools — this means lower build and maintenance effort and features that ship to both platforms together.
React Native
Renders real native interface components, which gives a platform-appropriate feel. A strong fit when the team already works with React on the web.
Ionic
Builds apps with web technologies inside a native shell. Well suited to content- and form-heavy apps, and to teams wanting to share a lot of code with an existing web application.
When native development is worth it
- Heavy use of device hardware — advanced camera processing, Bluetooth peripherals, AR.
- Graphics-intensive experiences where every frame matters.
- Deep integration with the latest platform-specific features on release day.
Plan the backend at the same time
Whatever the front end, the app will depend on an API for accounts, data and notifications. Designing that API so it also serves your website or internal tools avoids building the same logic twice.
Related service
Android, iOS and cross-platform apps with clean interfaces, reliable offline behaviour and secure API integrations.
Mobile App Development
