Cross-Platform vs Native Apps
When building a mobile app, one of the first big decisions is whether to go native (separate apps for iOS and Android) or cross-platform (a single codebase for both).
Each path has strengths and trade-offs, and the wrong choice can waste time and money. I help small businesses and founders cut through the jargon and choose the approach that fits their goals, budget, and timeline.
Understanding Your Options
Clear guidance on both development approaches and how I help you choose the right path
Native Apps (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android)
Separate apps built specifically for each platform using their native languages and frameworks.
✓ Best For:
- • High-performance applications
- • Platform-specific features and integrations
- • Access to latest iOS/Android capabilities
- • Apps requiring deep device integration
⚠ Consider:
- • Higher cost and longer development time
- • Two separate codebases to maintain
- • Need different developers for each platform
- • Features must be built twice
Cross-Platform Apps (Flutter, React Native)
Single codebase that generates apps for both iOS and Android platforms.
✓ Best For:
- • Faster development and launch
- • Budget-conscious projects
- • MVPs and testing app ideas
- • Simpler apps with standard features
⚠ Consider:
- • May not access every platform feature
- • Potential performance limitations
- • Might not match native polish perfectly
- • Framework dependency and updates
How I Help You Choose
Business Results That Matter
Beyond technical differences — the outcomes that impact your business success
Launch faster with cross-platform
Perfect for MVPs and testing app ideas quickly in the market without the overhead of two codebases
Get best-in-class performance with native
Access every platform feature and deliver the smoothest user experience possible for demanding applications
Save money by choosing the right approach early
Avoid costly rewrites and technical debt by matching your technology choice to your actual needs
Avoid rebuilds by matching tech to business goals
Make informed decisions that support your long-term vision and growth plans from day one
When to Choose Each Approach
Cross-platform is right if...
- ✓Your app is fairly straightforward (scheduling, CRM, loyalty apps)
- ✓You need to support both iOS and Android quickly
- ✓You're budget-conscious or testing an MVP
- ✓You want one team to handle both platforms
Native may be better if...
- →You need access to deep device features (Bluetooth, AR, custom sensors)
- →Performance is critical (real-time gaming, heavy graphics, real-time communications)
- →You have long-term plans for scaling and can support separate codebases
- →You want the absolute best user experience on each platform
Experience in Both Worlds
I've built apps natively (Swift and Kotlin) for advanced use cases like GPS-instrumented field equipment, and I've also used Flutter and React Native for simpler apps that needed to reach both iOS and Android quickly.
I can help you evaluate which path makes sense for your business — and even design a phased approach where you start cross-platform and migrate to native later if needed.
Ready to Choose the Right Approach?
Let's discuss your app idea and determine the development approach that best fits your goals, timeline, and budget.