What is the Basic Difference Between a Native App and Cross Platform App?

In today’s digital age, mobile apps have become essential for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s ordering groceries, booking a cab, or shopping online, apps make life more convenient. But when it comes to building a mobile app, one big decision developers and businesses face is: Should we build a native app or a cross-platform app?

If you're confused by these terms, don’t worry. In this blog, we'll explain what native and cross-platform apps are, how they differ, and which one might be the right choice for your business.

What Is a Native App?

A native app is built specifically for one platform, such as iOS or Android. This means if you want your app on both platforms, you’ll need two separate versions—one built for iOS (using Swift or Objective-C) and another for Android (using Java or Kotlin).

Key Features of Native Apps:

1. Platform-Specific Development

Native apps use programming languages and tools that are unique to each operating system. For example:

• iOS apps are built using Swift or Objective-C.

• Android apps are developed with Java or Kotlin.

  
  

2. Optimized Performance

Because native apps are designed for a specific platform, they make better use of the device’s hardware and software. This leads to faster speed, better animations, and smoother transitions.

3. Better User Experience

Native apps look and feel just like the platform they are built for. This makes the interface more familiar and intuitive for users. Buttons, gestures, menus—everything works the way users expect.

4. Access to Device Features

Native development allows full access to device capabilities such as:

• Camera

• GPS

• Push Notifications

• Offline Storage

5. Higher Development Cost

One of the biggest drawbacks of native app development is cost. Since you have to create separate apps for iOS and Android, it doubles your development time and expenses.

What Is a Cross-Platform App?

A cross-platform app is designed to run on multiple platforms using a single codebase. This means you write the code once, and it works on both iOS and Android devices. Developers use popular cross platform app frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin to build these apps.

Key Features of Cross-Platform Apps:

1. Single Codebase

You don’t need to build and maintain two separate apps. One codebase can run on multiple platforms. This makes the development process much faster and more efficient.

2. Faster Development Time

Cross-platform development significantly reduces development time. Since much of the code is shared between platforms, updates and changes are easier and faster to implement.

3. Cost-Effective

Since only one development team is needed for both platforms, the overall cost of development is much lower compared to native apps.

4. Wider Reach

Launching your app on both iOS and Android at the same time means you can reach a larger audience right away. This is especially important for startups or businesses with limited budgets and tight deadlines.

5. Performance Limitations

While cross-platform apps have come a long way, they may still lag behind native apps in terms of performance—especially for apps that require complex animations or heavy graphics like mobile games.

6. Limited Access to Native Features

Some advanced device features may not be directly accessible using cross-platform tools. In such cases, developers might need to write custom native code or use plugins.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Native vs Cross-Platform Apps

Feature	Native Apps	Cross-Platform Apps
Development Language	Platform-specific (Swift, Kotlin)	Shared language (Dart, JavaScript, C#)
Codebase	Separate for iOS and Android	Single codebase
Performance	Excellent	Good to moderate
User Experience	Smooth and seamless	Near-native, but not always perfect
Access to Device Features	Full	May require workarounds
Time to Market	Slower	Faster
Development Cost	Higher	Lower
Maintenance	Separate updates for each platform	Easier to maintain

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Native App Development if:

• You want top-notch performance.

• You need full access to all device features.

• You have the budget and time to build separate apps for iOS and Android.

• User experience is your top priority (such as for gaming or high-performance apps).

Choose Cross-Platform App Development if:

• You want to reduce time-to-market.

• Your budget is limited.

• You need a simple business app that works on both platforms.

• You want to maintain and update your app easily.

For example, if you’re running a startup or a small business aiming for quick launch, it makes sense to go with a reliable Cross Platform App Development Company that can help you build and deploy apps faster and more affordably.

Popular Tools Used in Native and Cross-Platform Development

Native App Tools:

• Xcode (for iOS)

• Android Studio (for Android)

Cross Platform App Frameworks:

• Flutter – Backed by Google, uses Dart language.

• React Native – Maintained by Meta (Facebook), uses JavaScript.

• Xamarin – Developed by Microsoft, uses C#.

These tools have made it easier than ever to build high-quality apps that run on multiple platforms. Thanks to the evolving capabilities of these frameworks, even cross-platform apps can now deliver near-native performance and user experience.

Use Case Examples

Example of a Native App:

A fitness tracking app that uses real-time GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and integrates with Apple Watch and Android Wear. This app requires deep access to hardware, so native development would be the ideal choice.

Example of a Cross-Platform App:

An eCommerce app that displays product listings, user reviews, and checkout options without much need for heavy animations or hardware access. In such a case, partnering with an expert Ecommerce App Development Company to build a cross-platform app is a smart choice. It allows you to reach users on both platforms without doubling your investment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between native and cross-platform development ultimately depends on your business goals, timeline, and budget.

• Want maximum performance and best user experience? Go native.

• Want faster development at lower cost with wider reach? Go cross-platform.

Today’s cross-platform technologies are robust and reliable, and in many cases, they are more than capable of meeting business needs—especially for startups and small businesses. However, if you're building a performance-heavy app like a game or a camera-based app, native development still has the upper hand.

No matter which path you choose, make sure you work with an experienced team that understands your needs and can guide you through the best development approach.