Creating an app that can run across multiple platforms can be quite troublesome considering that you need to find common ground for different platforms that have distinct features and capabilities. But multi-platform apps are generally very popular because you don’t have to exhaust your resources developing for one platform at a time.
Fortunately, there are some useful cross-platform developer tools that can help you realize your goals without much hassle. Some of the top ones include:
- Apache Cordova
Formerly known as PhoneGap, Apache Cordova is an open source mobile app development framework that was specifically created by Nitobi. When Adobe Systems acquired Nitobi, PhoneGap was redesigned and released as Apache Cordova, allowing developers to use a range of Web technologies, including JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 for cross-platform development.
- Appcelerator Titanium
This is another open source mobile application development framework for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone platforms, with one JavaScript code base. Developers have access to JavaScript API, as well as native platform-specific features across multiple devices. The software also provides value add-ons such as backend-as-a-service (BaaS), app analytics, and many more.
- Sencha Touch
This JavaScript open source tool allows for multi-platform app development including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Kindle, and even Tizen. It is essentially a user interface JavaScript framework specifically designed for the mobile Web from the combination of JavaScript library projects Raphael, jQTouch, and Ext JS. Developers typically use Sencha Touch to create GUIs for their apps to give them the same appearance as native apps when installed on mobile devices.
Besides the ability to package native apps and to form highly attractive orientation layouts, Sencha Touch also offers support for Cordova APIs (compass, contacts, camera, accelerometer, etc.) and HTML5 device APIs, allowing for the incorporation of many native device APIs.
- Qt
This mobile app framework is used to create application software primarily using C++ with signal and slot extensions, which makes it possible to develop app software for different platforms with minimal or no tweaks in the underlying code base. Developers can choose to create application software with or without GUI interfaces, like mobile apps or command line tools.
- Codename One
This multi-device platform offers fast mobile app development, simple usability, and deep integration with the native platform, giving users the same speedy access as native apps. The tool requires developers to create Java-based apps that are then tested and verified using the inbuilt simulator devices.
Final note
There are many other cross-platform mobile app development tools out there, each with its own set of pros and cons. Developers usually master just one or two tools to maximize on their capabilities.
