Cross-Platform
Development approach with one codebase for multiple platforms (iOS, Android, web). Frameworks like Flutter and React Native deliver near-native performance.
Why build twice when once is enough? Cross-platform development promises one codebase that runs on iOS, Android and optionally the web. Frameworks like Flutter and React Native have improved enough that for most apps cross-platform is the most economical choice – with savings of 30–40% over separate native apps.
What is Cross-Platform?
Cross-platform development means building applications for several platforms from a single codebase. Unlike native (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android), code is written once and compiled or interpreted for each platform. Main frameworks: Flutter (Google, Dart, compiles to native ARM), React Native (Meta, JavaScript/TypeScript, uses native UI via a bridge), .NET MAUI (Microsoft, C#). Kotlin Multiplatform (JetBrains) is also growing.
How does Cross-Platform work?
Flutter compiles Dart to native ARM and renders with its own engine (Skia/Impeller) – no bridge, consistent look on all platforms. React Native uses JavaScript to drive native UI components – the app looks native on each platform because it uses real iOS/Android widgets. The new architecture (Fabric) removes the old bridge and improves performance. Both support hot reload and access to native features via plugins/packages.
Practical Examples
Google Ads app: Built by Google with Flutter – same code on iOS and Android with native performance.
Instagram: Uses React Native for some features and screens inside the native app.
BMW: My BMW app in Flutter for vehicle control, charger finder and service booking on both platforms.
Nubank: Brazil’s largest digital bank uses Flutter for its app with tens of millions of users.
Typical Use Cases
MVP and startup apps: Fast market entry with one codebase for both platforms
Enterprise apps: Internal tools (time tracking, mobile CRM, reporting) for both platforms
E-commerce apps: Shopping apps with push, offline and camera integration
Content apps: News, streaming and social apps
IoT companion apps: Control apps for connected devices with Bluetooth/MQTT
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Cost: Typically 30–40% cheaper than two separate native apps
- Faster time-to-market: One team develops for both platforms
- Consistency: Same logic and behaviour everywhere
- Single team: No separate iOS and Android teams, less coordination
- Hot reload: Changes appear immediately – faster iteration
Disadvantages
- Performance: For very graphics-heavy apps (3D games, AR) native can be better
- Platform features: New OS features appear when the framework supports them
- Larger apps: Cross-platform apps are often 5–20 MB bigger than native
- Debugging: Platform-specific bugs can be harder to track down
Frequently Asked Questions about Cross-Platform
Flutter or React Native?
When should I still go native?
Can I migrate an existing native app to cross-platform?
Related Terms
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