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Hybrid app development is certainly winning hearts worldwide. However, there are some popular hybrid app development myths most people think are true. Through this blog, we have decided to bust all the myths about cross-platform app development for a clear and better understanding.
Do agree or don’t, but the whole world is gradually moving to mobile devices. That time is not so far when desktops will get obsolete, and mobile phones will take over entirely.
In the first quarter of 2021, mobile devices generated 54.8% of global website traffic (that’s more than half of the world’s population). Americans spend around 90% of their mobile time only on apps. In fact, 70% of all US digital media time comes from mobile apps only. Also, mobile apps are expected to generate more than $935 billion in revenue by 2023.
The increased use of mobile apps, plus the ROI it can bring to businesses, has led organizations to seek a reputable app developers company to build a successful mobile app. In today’s time and age, developing a mobile app has become crucial rather than just an option. Right?
Well, seeing the ever-growing demand for mobile applications, no business can afford to miss their presence on both the leading mobile app platforms — iOS and Android. However, the budget often concerns businesses trying to build individual native apps for both these platforms.
That’s where the cross-platform app development approach comes into play. It allows businesses to make a single app that works just fine for multiple platforms.
What Is Hybrid App Development? Why Should You Care About It?
Hybrid app development (aka cross-platform app development) is a blend of native and web solutions. When you go with developing a hybrid app, the core of the application is written using web technologies — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
It is all about building a single app that can run seamlessly on various operating systems. In other words, the cross-platform app development approach allows developers to produce apps that look and feel truly native on any platform from one codebase.
If you know all about cross-platform app development, you would know why you should choose this approach? Well, there are plenty of reasons — code reusability, code reduction, faster development (and time-to-market), easier implementation, wider market reach, brand consistency, and more. In fact, cross-platform app development is considered an ideal choice for startups and SMEs for maximum growth and success.
Top 9 Myths About Cross-Platform App Development (Debunked)
Terrible App’s Performance on Old Device
The most believable cross-platform app development myth is that people won’t be able to enjoy the app on old versions of their devices and will suffer from hang-ups. Though the errors, glitches, and hang-ups can occur in any app, be it a hybrid or native app. It has nothing to do specifically with the hybrid app development approach. So this is one of the biggest hybrid app development myths, and needs to be debunked ASAP.
Compromised UX and UI
Hybrid app development uses a single codebase for multiple operating systems. That’s why compromised UX and UI is another cross-platform app development myth people think is true. However, choosing a cross-platform app development approach gives businesses an intuitive app and irresistible experience to users. In fact, hybrid apps can conveniently be adjusted to any mobile platform version or display screen.
Native Functions are Unavailable
Most businesses think, to get a native touch, features, and functionalities, one needs to follow a native approach, and there’s no alternative to it. Well, there is. Leveraging React Native (the future of hybrid app development), Flutter, Ionic, and many other robust hybrid app development frameworks, any organization can build a hybrid app that has native UX. Therefore, they look, feel, and behave like native apps.
Costs Half of Native
How much does it cost to make cross-platform apps? Does it cost half of the native? No. Does it cost less than native? Yes. Cross-platform apps cost less than native apps because businesses don’t need to invest separately in iOS and Android app development.
They just need to build one app that can run on multiple platforms. Therefore, paying one developer will obviously be less than paying two. But let’s bust the myth that it costs 50% less than native apps. No, that’s not the case. It costs less but not half of the native apps.
Unsafe to Use
We don’t know how and when this hybrid app development myth occurred, but it’s an absolute lie. Hybrid apps are not unsafe; they are not even less safe than native ones. Maybe people think that web solutions are easy to hack.
Well, cross-platform apps are not developed just using web technologies; today’s hybrid apps are powered by advanced cross-platform app development tools, technologies, and frameworks that are highly safe and secure. So this myth about hybrid app development is farfetched.
Only Native Apps Work Offline
Only native apps can function offline. That’s an absolutely laughable myth about hybrid app development. There are so many hybrid app development frameworks out there that come with offline integration features. For example, Xamarin is one cross-platform app development framework that builds hybrid apps that require both an instant internet connection to work or can also function offline without any hassle. Another myth debunked.
Responsive Web Page Is Better Than Cross-Platform Apps
Totally disagree. Responsive web pages are not better than cross-platform apps. A responsive website doesn’t provide mobile-specific behavior and layout. Users easily notice the difference in terms of UX and UI when it comes to responsive websites vs hybrid apps. And, of course, the hybrid apps are a clear winner. In fact, progressive web app (PWA) development can be a far better choice than responsive mobile websites.
Cross-Platform Frameworks Can Disappear Anytime
Utterly false. There are so many hybrid frameworks that have strong, long-established positions on the market. In fact, React Native is the most popular cross-platform framework used by global app design firms.
As per Statista, around 42% of developers used React Native in 2020. This stat itself busts the myth of cross-platform frameworks being obsolete. The hybrid frameworks are evolving and will soon be adopted by most developers in the coming years. Just wait and watch!
Expensive in Long Run
App development costs rise with the amount of time, effort, and resources invested in it. The app development cost with the hybrid approach remains low because its whole idea is about lessening the time, effort, and resources involved in it. In fact, native apps cost way too much in comparison to hybrid apps. With hybrid app development, one can create a single code (with less investment) and run that app on various platforms.
In a Nutshell
So these were some popular hybrid app development myths we just busted. We hope this article helped you understand all about cross-platform app development myths. We trust now you’ve got a better clarity on all the myths you used to think are true. Cross-platform is any day a great choice for all types of businesses. So if you’re thinking of developing a hybrid app, give it a green flag without any second thought. Good luck!
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