Which App Framework Is Perfect for You

A little bit more than a decade ago, we lived in a world of computers. Today, we live in the era of smartphones. The single most vital aspect of our touch-sensitive portable devices is the apps that they offer. Regardless of whether you own an Apple device, an Android, or any other if it’s recent and “smart,” it works on the app basis.

In addition to the right app idea, right development methodology, and the right platform, you need to select the fitting framework to build the app. Here’s how to make up your mind.

What Is App Framework?

You’ve most likely heard about the “app framework” term. It is something used to build mobile apps. Essentially, what framework does is it deals with interfacing with the operating system and simplifies things for you. It works out the details, letting you focus on the bigger picture.

But an app framework can also work against you. The framework simplifies things for you by providing a “frame” of sorts for building your app. It takes the example of another app and helps you see the simplified view of the operating environment.

That essentially means that a framework will have to box you in in a certain, let’s say, style, template, or theme if you will. That works miracles for apps that you want to base on other apps, which is the case, most of the time.

However, if your app’s form is different from a “typical” app form, a framework will only make things harder for you. Why? Well, because you’ll have to deal with all the things that the framework will take care of for you. The framework is also probably a closed system, and this can turn into a headache.

App Frameworks

You may have heard about some of them, but there are many app frameworks available. As an app developer, it’s beneficial for you to get to know as many frameworks as possible. If you do this, you’ll be able to develop almost any app, regardless of how unique it is. Here some of the most popular app frameworks out there.

React Native

If you’re looking for fast launch time, mass outreach, and low development costs, React Native might be the perfect framework for you. No wonder, seeing as how a wide variety of developers have used this framework.

The main benefit of using React Native is that the code that you write once runs everywhere, cross-platform. That means that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to create apps for multiple platforms.

Another great part about using React Native is that the native components are available in React Native, and can you can use them throughout the app development. It goes the same for native-specific components counterparts. Essentially, by using React Native, you can build an app that performs and looks like the native one.

React Native allows devs to create apps with the least number of code lines. This curbs errors, bugs, and similar issues, thus making things significantly easier.

NativeScript

NativeScript is an open-source framework. It allows you to use the most recent native APIs, as well as native components and themes, without having to wait for complete new feature integration. NativeScript is leveraged with Vue.js, Angular, JavaScript, or TypeScript and is used to develop true native apps.

Unlike many other frameworks, NativeScript apps don’t require cross-compiling or using a browser. Apps developed with NativeScript run directly on native devices.

NativeScript is extendable and has complete access to Android and iOS APIs. That removes the native coding factor altogether and makes sure that you won’t have to write native code, which is very important for app developers.

Flutter

Flutter can make direct changes in the code and show you the results almost instantaneously. That’s known as the hot reloading feature and is one of Flutter’s most popular features.

It uses a single codebase to write automatic tests. Seeing as how the automatic tests tend to pile up during app development, speeding things up here is essential. With Flutter, automatic tests take less time.

Another brilliant thing that Flutter brings to the table is its widgets catalog. You can even customize an existing widget to come up with a new one. That allows the designers to actively come up with designs on the fly, which is immensely important for staying in sync with business goals.

With no files to be Java referenced, front-end and back-end developers can work using a single language, making everything more in-sync.

Xamarin

This framework is based on .NET. Using this framework, you can simultaneously yield true iOS and Android apps, all within the Xamarin environment. With basic syntax, the Xamarin framework allows the developers to access platform-specific SDKs.

By using C#, along with .NET, developers can create an app by almost entirely reusing the code. It does wonders for development speeds and doesn’t require switching between dev environments.

Xamarin.Forms take the app’s UI components and convert them into UI components that are platform-specific. That creates a cross-platform native experience.

With Xamarin, all you have to do to change apps on different platforms is to update the source file.

jQuery Mobile

The majority of operating systems and devices, regardless of their screen size, support JQuery Mobile. Using this framework, the developers don’t have to make significant code changes to get the app running on multiple platforms.

jQuery Mobile allows the developers to come up with custom themes, use the transition effects (CSS-based), layout page panels, customize form controls, and manipulate many other UI elements. That allows you to make an app for any business-specific needs.

It also features minimal scripting, owing to the HTML5 support. There are two versions of jQuery Mobile: the latest stable one and the customized one.

Choosing the Ideal App Framework

So, which app framework is perfect for you? The answer to this question is, it depends on what you need.

All app frameworks mentioned here are great in their specific departments. Knowing how to work with most of them is the best way to quickly and seamlessly deliver a perfect, functioning app.

Don’t look for a framework that feels good to you. Find the one that fits the situation.