What is a Cross-Platform App?
A Cross-Platform App, also known as a Hybrid App, is an application for mobile devices that runs on both, the Android and iOS platforms. A Cross-Platform App can so be offered via the App Store as well as the Google Play. For Cross-Platform Apps developers use special frameworks.
A Hybrid App is particularly recommended when speed, look and feel of the application are not the top priority, but low investment costs and fast implementation are important.
What is the best programming language for Cross-Platform Apps?
We use Flutter and React Native to develop Hybrid Apps.
Flutter
Flutter is an open-source, Cross-Platform framework released by Google in 2017.
Flutter is excellent for developing Cross-Platform Applications because it offers:
- Good app performance, similar to native apps
- High Time-To-Market speed
- Reduced code development time
- Equal user interface and business logic for all platforms
- Simple, platform-specific logic implementation
- Built-in rendering engine
- Customizable user interface of any complexity
- The opportunity to develop web apps and desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux
React Native
React Native is an open-source, JavaScript based framework, originally developed by Facebook.
The advantages of React Native are:
- User interface, highly similar to native apps
- Good app performance
- Simple update
- Easy transfer to other platforms
- Fast code development
- High Time-To-Market speed
- Cost-effective upgrade for existing apps
We help you find the right programming language for your app
What are the advantages of Hybrid Apps?
The benefits of Hybrid Apps are:
The code for Cross-Platform Apps only needs to be written once. With minor adjustments, the app can run on all platforms. This saves development time.
Short development time means lower costs, compared to native app development. The cost savings do not only apply to the development of a new app. The customer also benefits from the unified code base when it comes to updates. Because the code only has to be adjusted once to run securely on all platforms.
A consistent design means that the style guide does not have to be created individually for each platform, based on sketches and wireframes. This leads to a reduced development time, increased profitability and high target group coverage.
No matter, which end device a user prefers, he will always have access to a Hybrid App. So the customer can find information about products and services at any time and make orders. Companies can use a Hybrid App to deliver advertising messages directly to their target group, at low cost. This way they reduce financial expenses and increase sales.
The number of smartphone users with internet access is growing rapidly. The latest studies assume, that there are 3.9 billion users worldwide. In a few years, the number could reach 4.5 billion. These are people who can become potential customers. A Hybrid App is the perfect way to reach them.
Using a Cross-Platform App, the customer can pay with just a few clicks for the products. The integrated payment does not require a credit card. The entire payment process is fast and simple. This wins user trust and makes it easier for the company to acquire new customers.
A Hybrid App improves customer service significantly. Customers can use the app to get help, have their questions answered or get competent advice.
We develop a Hybrid App for you so that your company can
benefit from these advantages in the best possible way
Cross-Platform Apps in Business —
In which industries the
Hybrid App development is important?
A Hybrid App is a good choice for any industry, for example for:
Cross-Platform Apps are highly valued in retail because of the low maintenance effort. For this reason, Hybrid Apps are often used in shop systems. This way, with little effort, companies can make their range changes immediately available on all platforms.
Apple App Store is a highly sophisticated Hybrid App. The built-in search function makes it easy for customers to find the products they are looking for. The user interface is simple and offers many outstanding features. Customers can see in real time new products being added. Personalized recommendations support users in their decision making.
In manufacturing, Hybrid Apps support production control and production planning. Apps can also be used for production data acquisition, quality control or as scanner solutions.
BMW chose a Hybrid App for their vehicles. With the Cross-Platform solution, the BMW team managed to make the app functions available to all users in short time.
More and more financial institutions are offering their customers Hybrid Apps for secure mobile access to the most important information and online banking.
Cryptochange is a high-performance hybrid cryptocurrency app. The app allows users to monitor all cryptocurrency price changes in real-time and perform currency exchanges if needed.
Media companies provide their users via Hybrid Apps with thematically customized channels. Subscribers can access all published content in real time.
Justwatch is a hybrid TV streaming app. The app presents content from such platforms as Amazon Prime, Netflix or DisneyPlus. Justwatch’s success is revealed each month in millions of active users who appreciate the app’s speed and performance.
We develop for you a Hybrid App concept, optimized for the industry and the target group of your company
What should be considered when developing Cross-Platform Apps?
The main things to consider, when developing a Hybrid App, are:
Screen Resolution
Cross-Platform Apps are built to be used on smartphones from different types and models. Because of that, it is important to make sure that the user interface is designed for every screen resolution.
Design
The user interface of iOS and Android differ, sometimes significantly, from each other. A framework helps to make the Hybrid App easy to handle on both platforms.
Data Protection Guidelines
Google Play and the App Store have different privacy requirements. A suitable solution should be considered in the project planning.
Limited Functionality
The Hybrid App development allows limited access to the hardware functions like sensors, Bluetooth or GPU. If complex functionalities are desired, native development should be used.
Lower Performance
Although Hybrid App development has recently become much more efficient, it is still behind the native approach, if it comes to resource utilization. This slightly affects the speed and performance of the application.
Firmware Updates for iOS & Android
Both iOS and Android regularly release firmware updates. In most cases, these updates are irrelevant to app operation. Occasionally, however, an app may need to be optimized for the new operating system after the platform update.
We help you find the best development method
for your specific project
What are the steps for Cross-Platform App development?
The individual development of a mobile application takes eight steps:
In the first step, we formulate the customer requirement, define the target group and their goals, analyze the market and the competition and think about the monetization and other financing options.
As soon as the basics are clear, we create a requirements catalog in the form of an implementation concept. The concept records in detail which functions are required and which technologies are to use. In addition, we define the most important project indicators (KPIs) and delegate the tasks to the right professionals.
A software architect or an experienced developer defines the structure of the application.
He finds the best way to process data within the application so that defined project goals are achieved.
We design a simplified form of the user interface using sketches and wireframes.
With the help of a workflow model we visualize then all transitions and interactions in the Mobile App.
The workflow model simplifies even complex systems. This can reduce the number of clicks in the applicationsignificantly, resulting in a better user experience.
A designer creates a style guide, a design concept for the app based on the sketches and wireframes. The goal is to achieve a harmonious combination of shapes, lines, colors, fonts and buttons. We develop an interactive prototype to test the requirements and make changes if necessary.
Now we write the code for the user interface (Front-End) and the server logic (Back-End), integrating external services if required.
During programming, we rely on agile development, according to SCRUM, optimizing performance and processes.
Once the programming is completed, the app is tested by QA specialists for functionality, compatibility, usability (UX/UI) and performance.If errors are discovered, we document and forward them back to development for rework.
The Back-End software is installed on the production server.
In compliance with Apple and Google guidelines, the app will be published in the app stores.
We constantly monitor user behavior and app functionality, so that we can intervene immediately if necessary.
We are the right partner for your company in every project phase
How much does a Cross-Platform App cost?
To calculate the price of Mobile App development, we ask you the following questions:
- Do you want a native or a hybrid app?
- Is the app more complex, so that it has to communicate with a database server (Backend)?
- Which functions should your app have?
- Which third-party services should be connected?
- Should the Mobile App have an individual UX design?
- Is the app intended only for the customer or also for the company’s employees?
- When do you need the Mobile App?
Once all questions have been answered in detail,
we will calculate the estimated cost
Why is senapsa the right partner for you?
We are the right partner for all digitalization tasks, because of
We have many years of extensive project experience. We implement both simple and complex solutions for different industries and areas of application.
We follow your specifications and wishes. You get exactly the solution you need and ordered, with all settings and functions included.
We deliver the product in your Corporate Design so that your customers and employees recognize your brand.
We work with a well-established team. We cover the complete development life cycle, from the idea and market analysis to implementation and Go Live. You receive the entire project from us.
We divide the project into individual development phases, which you can follow easily and conveniently. This gives you the opportunity to monitor and control the entire development process.
We ensure a perfect execution at all times. Even after completion, we are there for you, so that your product works as long as you use it.