Cross-platform application development

This is a way to create one service that works on both iOS and Android using a single code. So instead of writing two different versions in different languages, for example, Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, a developer writes one universal code that then adapts to both platforms.

Unlike native development, where an application is created from scratch for each operating system, the “write once, run everywhere” principle applies here. This saves resources, speeds up the product's time to market, and simplifies support.

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The native approach involves separate development for iOS and Android, using different programming languages, frameworks, and technical solutions. Yes, this method gives maximum control over performance and allows you to use all the device's features to the fullest. But it requires more time, effort, and team resources: essentially, you're running two projects in parallel, synchronizing them at each stage.

Cross-platform sounds like a compromise in this regard, but in practice it is increasingly a conscious choice. Especially for startups and businesses that want to quickly test an idea without getting involved in a complex and expensive architecture.

Cross-platform frameworks are gaining popularity for a reason — they have a number of obvious advantages:

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• Save time and budget. Instead of putting together two separate commands for iOS and Android, you're working with the same code base. This means fewer development hours, fewer people on the team, and lower costs. It is especially beneficial for startups, where every ruble and day counts.

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• Quick access to the market. Speed is a key factor in a competitive environment. With cross-platform solutions, you can run the service on both platforms at once without wasting time duplicating work. The business gets a head start and can collect feedback from users more quickly.

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• Simplified support and updates. When you have the same code for all occasions, it's easier to release updates, fix bugs, and make improvements. There are no “updates for Android in a week”, everything happens simultaneously and synchronously.

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• ‍Wide audience coverage. The platform works on both iOS and Android — you don't lose a single user. This means that coverage is expanding, and the chances of growth and scaling are increasing.

Not every project needs a separate version for each platform. It is often much more sensible to choose a cross-platform approach, especially if you need to get started quickly, save money and test a hypothesis. Here's who this approach is relevant for:

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Startups and small businesses
When the budget is limited and there is no time to upgrade, it's important to quickly test the idea in combat conditions. A cross-platform approach helps launch an MVP mobile service with minimal investment and immediately reach all users — both iPhones and Androids.

Projects with tight deadlines

If you need to enter the market “yesterday”, the cross-platform will speed up the process by 1.5—2 times. A single code base means that you don't need to develop two applications in parallel. A great option if you are preparing a promo app for an event, a new product launch or an advertising campaign.

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Companies with a wide audience
When a service is designed for mass users, it is important to be available everywhere. Cross-platform frameworks can be simultaneously released on iOS and Android, while maintaining the same business logic, design, and experience. It is especially relevant for marketplaces, subscription services, delivery and any online platforms.

There are proven frameworks on the market that allow you to write the same code for all platforms and do it quickly and with excellent results. Here are three of the most popular tools to look out for:

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• Flutter. Google framework that uses the Dart language. We love many people for their high performance and visual flexibility. With Flutter, it's easy to make beautiful, responsive interfaces that look native to both iOS and Android. There is also a feature called hot reload, which allows you to make changes to the code and instantly see the result. This greatly speeds up the development and testing process.

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• React Native. Development from Facebook, based on JavaScript. One of the most popular tools due to its powerful community and good compatibility with web development. If you already have a team that is familiar with React, the entry threshold will be minimal. The downside is that sometimes it is difficult to connect native modules, especially if the project is non-standard.

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• ‍Xamarin. Microsoft's solution written in C#. It integrates well with the .NET ecosystem, so it is often used in corporate projects and internal systems. It is considered reliable, but in recent years it has lost popularity to Flutter and React Native — and it is not always easy to find specialists for Xamarin.

Creating cross-platform solutions has long gone beyond MVPs and startups. Many large companies are successfully using this approach for large-scale and reliable products. Here are a few notable examples:

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Google Ads (Flutter)
Developed with Flutter, the Google Ads app allows advertisers to manage their campaigns right from a mobile device. Thanks to Flutter, the app's interface is fast, responsive, and equally user-friendly on both iOS and Android.

Alibaba (Flutter)
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is using Flutter to build some of its mobile services. This is how companies quickly introduce new features and ensure stable operation on different platforms.

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Reflectly (Flutter)
Reflectly, a personal mood diary, was developed using Flutter. Thanks to this, developers were able to create a beautiful and smooth interface that works equally well on all devices.

Instagram (React Native)
Some parts of Instagram, such as the post screen and push notifications, were implemented using React Native. This allowed the team to speed up development and make it easier to support code on both platforms.

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‍Uber Eats (React Native)

‍Uber Eats uses React Native for its courier dashboard. This solution helped the company quickly scale the platform and ensure stable operation on different devices.

The development world is changing — and cross-platform development is becoming an increasingly natural business choice. If this approach used to seem like a compromise, today it is a real way to save resources, enter the market quickly and not lose quality.

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Is it right for you? It depends on the tasks. But if you want to test an idea, launch an MVP, or simply reach the user faster, you should at least consider this option. Choose tools consciously, look at project goals and don't be afraid of new approaches.

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Do you have an idea you'd like to launch and test quickly?

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The team Beetrail will turn the concept into a real application that works, engages users and scales.

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Are you ready to take the first step? Contact us and we'll discuss the idea and suggest the best way to launch it.