Startups often operate in rapid environments where speed is critical. After coming up with an app idea, they need to do app idea validation. This entire app validation process includes several stages, and each must be carefully navigated to minimize the risk of failure. As if it weren't enough to go through all this, they also need to decide early on which technology to use for their app to align the MVP development from the start. Will they develop the app exclusively for iOS, only for Android, or for both App Store and Google Play store, focusing on native programming?
We agreed speed is a crucial factor at the beginning of app development because it is necessary to constantly adapt app to users. After launching MVP, startups need to use the insights gained to make improvements to their app. This might involve refining existing features, adding new functionalities, or adjusting the user interface, and all that in a short period. That is why more and more startups are opting for cross-platform development.
What is Cross platform app development?
Cross-platform development refers to the process of creating software applications that are compatible with multiple operating systems. This approach contrasts with native development, where separate codebases are written specifically for each platform. A good cross-platform framework enables rapid development by allowing code sharing where a single codebase can be used across multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, and sometimes even desktop platforms like Windows and macOS, which reduces development time.
It also means that fewer developers are needed, which consequently reduces development costs as well. React Native used to be a popular choice with its JavaScript-based approach, but lately, more and more people are opting for new choices like Flutter, and especially Kotlin Multiplatform, relatively new framework which gained the ability to compete with cross-platform technologies that are far more established and older.
Cross platform app can't make native performance: Myth or truth?
There is a reason why some people still think that cross platform apps have poor experience and can't be as good as native apps. In the past, cross platform apps often struggled to match the performance of native apps since they had limited libraries of UI components, which often didn't perfectly match the native look and feel of each platform. Also, the tools and third party libraries used for native mobile app development were more mature and robust comparing to the ones used for cross platform mobile applications.
All these challenges made cross platform frameworks less appealing for businesses seeking high-performance. However, advancements in technology and frameworks like Flutter, React Native, and Kotlin Multiplatform have significantly closed the gap. They have addressed many of these issues, allowing modern cross-platform apps to offer performance and user experiences much closer to native apps.
Why does Netflix use Kotlin Multiplatform?
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP), developed by JetBrains, is a capability within the Kotlin programming language that allows developers to write shared code for web and mobile platforms, such as Android, iOS, web, and desktop while enabling native app development where necessary. It means that KMP, depending on the implementation, can share part of the logic, the entire business logic, or both the logic and UI.
KMP advantages
Independent integration:
Kotlin is an SDK rather than a framework. What does it mean? Businesses with mobile apps can easily evaluate their potential by adding a module or migrating a few features. This significantly helps Kotlin in addressing the main obstacle to switching to a new codebase.
Cost-effectiveness:
Cross platform app development reduces the time required for building mobile apps by minimizing the need for separate iOS/Android development teams, thus lowering development and maintenance costs.
Native performance:
Kotlin Multiplatform allows direct access to native APIs and libraries. It means developers can implement custom features and write native code that is unique to each platform. That way KMP takes advantage of the latest platform-specific functionalities and provides a rich user experience with cross platform apps.
Separate UI development:
Developers can use platform-specific native UI components and provide tailored functionalities for iOS and Android. By creating separate UI for each platform, users get that “native feeling", meaning they have intuitive and familiar behavior since some things work differently for iOS and Android.
KMP challenges
Investment in adopting KMP:
Developers who are not already familiar with Kotlin or cross-platform development concepts need to understand how to effectively share code across platforms. However, the growing community and extensive documentation are valuable resources that can help ease this transition.
Development time:
Developers need to implement separate UI, and that can lead to increased development time and effort for creating and maintaining multiple user interface codebases. Still, it is a faster option than not sharing a business logic.
New and still maturing:
Compared to some other cross-platform frameworks, this implies less prepared libraries and plugins, but it also offers an ideal opportunity to grow on cutting-edge technology that is quickly gaining popularity and support.
Having considered all the pros and cons, Netflix decided to use Kotlin Multiplatform for its studio applications, enabling the team to share business logic across platforms while maintaining native user interfaces and performance. With a shared codebase, Netflix develops features once and deploys them across various platforms, speeding up the mobile app development process.
What is Flutter?
Flutter, created by Google, is an open-source framework that enables developers to build natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase using the Dart programming language.
Flutter advantages
Hot reload feature:
This allows developers to instantly view changes without restarting the app, which speeds up the development process.
UI/UX capabilities:
Flutter has a rich set of customizable widgets, which allow developers to create highly flexible and visually appealing user interfaces that provide a consistent experience across all platforms.
Single codebase:
Developers write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, web, and desktop. It means there is a code that covers both business logic and UI. This approach significantly reduces development time, effort, and costs.
Strong community and support:
The developer community around Flutter is big, matching the size and activity of communities behind other well-known frameworks such as React Native. With frequent updates, bug updates, and the launch of new features, this vibrant community helps Flutter evolve quickly.
Flutter challenges
Large app size:
Flutter includes its own set of UI components which makes the app size larger than the native ones. Kotlin Multiplatform and React Native tend to have smaller app sizes since they support native components provided by the platform.
New language:
Dart is a completely new language used for Flutter and it may bring challenges compared to more established languages like JavaScript or Python. Developers may find fewer resources which makes it harder to find solutions.
Limited Native flexibility:
In case developers need highly tailored or platform-specific implementations that aren't easily found in the Flutter community, they might have to rely on third-party solutions or write platform-specific code, which might complicate the development process.
So, what is the best choice to make?
The best option when choosing between Kotlin Multiplatform and Flutter for cross-platform mobile app development depends on your app’s needs, as well as the time and budget available.
For startups looking to create cross platform apps efficiently and affordably, Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is usually a good solution. KMP lets you use the same code across different platforms while still getting the fast, smooth performance you expect from each device. It's perfect if you already know a trusted mobile development company that offers Kotlin Multiplatform services because it speeds up how quickly you can launch your app. You can also read this blog to help you with making a decision.
On the other hand, Flutter is an option if your app doesn’t require a lot of platform-specific code. Therefore, it allows you to quickly launch your app by having a single codebase across multiple platforms like iOS, Android, web, and desktop.
Of course, keep in mind that using Flutter doesn’t mean you can’t have a native feel, or that you can’t quickly launch your app with KMP. It is just that KMP requires separate designs for iOS and Android, but that ensures your app feels just right on each type of phone.
Ready to build cross platform mobile apps?
If this article has helped you make a decision what cross platform framework to choose, and want to check why big companies have already adopted cross-platform development, you're in the right place! Aetherius Solutions offers cross-platform app development services where you can see your initial idea on the screen in just two weeks!
If you still prefer to go with native apps and time is not a critical factor for you, our iOS and Android developers are here to help. They will work with you to create an app that functions without bugs and help you find the right users for it!
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