Majority of us are accustomed to the frequent usage of various mobile applications throughout our daily life. From social networking apps to health and routine monitoring apps, we are habituated to casually switch from one app to another to suit our requirements. However, not much thought is given to the process of development of such life-defining apps until you decide to develop one yourself.
It is a hectic task to develop apps from scratch. Thankfully, there are various existing frameworks in place that ease the process of mobile app development. This article is determined to provide you an overall image of the frameworks commonly used by the top app development companies in the USA.
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1. React Native
React Native was launched by Facebook and rose to popularity amongst the app development crowd because of its cross-platform development nature to develop powerful applications.
This means that you will save both time and money by using this framework as your developers will only have to create one application that serves all platforms. It uses a JavaScript framework that makes switchability in between projects an easy task, thereby increasing its efficiency and reliability.
Additional to its uniform applicability in both iOS and Android with minimal coding requirement, it is also compatible with third party-plugins as a bonus. React Native’s versatile characteristics and features serve as the framework for popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Skype, etc.
Check out How to Create Apps for Android and iOS Using React Native?
2. Flutter
Flutter is a framework technically used to develop high-performance applications that require well-built widget support. It was launched by Google and is used to support GoogleAds, which establishes an added layer of credibility to its usage. If your goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing app- then Flutter is the framework for you.
However, its benefits are not limited to its outlook and simultaneously provide a remarkable performance rate. Cross-platform application development is also a highlighted characteristic amongst its advantages, thus making it cost-effective.
Though most of Flutter and React Native’s pros are identical and make them strong competitors within the market, Flutter establishes a strong suit in providing multiple IDE support and ensures a smooth transition through IDE’s if and when required.
Also Read: Why Flutter Is the Future of Cross-Platform Development.
3. Ionic
Ionic is a desirable framework amongst app developers in USA for those who are interested in building an application that should be supported not only on Android and iOS but also on webpages.
This is what we call a hybrid app development framework and is highly beneficial for expanded marketing of apps within a limited period. Ionic boasts of its ability to provide a premium appearance and user experience to your apps. This framework would work best for your apps if you intend to make customizations of your liking to the existing default user interface.
All these benefits along with an uncompromised assurance towards user-friendly app creation make Ionic ‘iconic’ in essence. Given all its likability, this framework is however limited to a plugin dependency unlike its counterparts- Flutter and React Native.
Flutter Vs. Ionic: Which to Choose For Your Next Mobile App Development Project?
4. Xamarin
Xamarin is another highly demanded cross-platform app development framework launched and used by Microsoft. It is developed using the C# language which requires minimal coding that can be shared across various apps and platforms. The 3-in-1 feature of the framework, ie. the creation of apps that can be used across Android, iOS, and Windows at the cost of generating one code and easy maintenance, distinguishes Xamarin from the other frameworks.
Despite being a cost-effective option, this framework does not compromise in delivering excellent native app integration and performance. Another feature that makes Xamarin increasingly reliable is its efficient customer support that comes as an added advantage of its association with the tech giant Microsoft.
They also provide excellent features for documentation that makes tracking the history of your app development easier.
5. Corona
Corona is a cross-platform app development framework that is mainly used to support and build gaming applications. The framework provides excellent graphic quality and visuals which makes the user experience a remarkable one. Apps created using this framework are light-weight, easy to use, and showcases impressive speed.
It is well suited to develop apps that are supported both on mobile devices and desktops, as well as permits expansion and customization of apps to fit the needs to feature on Apple TV, Fire Tv, and Android TV.
Corona also assures optimal performance while providing instant real-time testing facilities on your device of choice. Frequent instant update of the application after its launch is also a highly sought feature of the framework.
6. Cocoa Touch
Cocoa Touch is solely an iOS app development framework and is included in the iOS SDK. It is widely supported by all Apple devices and maintains an auto-layout which makes it a highly desirable framework for iOS app development companies in USA. It is a framework of significance for iOS app creation as it allows multitasking facilities and supports gesture recognition.
Apps created through this framework require minimal coding as features such as animation, networking, and appearance of the iOS platform will be automatically adapted. It also offers ready to use user interface facilities such as navigation bars, switch controls, etc.
7. NativeScript
NativeScript as the name suggests is a framework used to develop native apps in both iOS and Android platforms, at the price of developing a single code for both. The one code base feature of the framework is cost-effective, increases reusability, and requires low maintenance, which is a captivating feature that attracts top app development companies in the USA.
The tools available within this framework are easy to use and does not require major web skills while ensuring a commendable user experience. It also permits the inclusion of additional plugins and templates to make the application more easily adaptable. NativeScript also ensures well-equipped and detailed backend support along with support for mission-orientated business queries.
8.PhoneGap
PhoneGap is a framework known for its easy development amidst android app development companies in USA. It uses the support of languages such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for cross-platform app development. This makes the generation of applications on desktop applications possible, which can later be linked to mobile applications.
Apps using this framework can be developed by beginner-level developers and does not require much expertise in the app development field because of its simplified usage. Thus making it an incredibly developer-friendly framework. By drawing the license of the open-source framework, PhoneGap can be accessed free of charge. It also possesses plugin-friendly qualities and is flexible to app customization.
9. Sencha Touch
Sencha Touch is a cross-platform app development framework that is used by app developers in USA to create applications mainly suitable for enterprises. It creates engaging layouts and animations to maximize user interface functionality in multiple devices with varying physical and inbuilt features.
The framework hosts powerful analytics and faces zero difficulties to manage millions of data at a time with its robust SDK and HTML5 technology. Apps developed using Sencha Touch showcase increased customer satisfaction due to its fast operation and presence of its responsive touch features.
10. Appcelerator Titanium
Appcelerator Titanium is an open-source, cross-platform framework that works free of cost. It promotes swift usage for app development and provides quick prototyping facilities. Appcelerator Titanium stands apart from its competitors because it allows apps to be tested and deployed all at once.
You can create truly native apps with a single JavaScript code using this framework, resulting in reduced duration and cost spent on app development. Codes generated using Appcelerator Titanium are saved on cloud servers and can be accessed from any location.
Another strong suit of the framework is its ability to provide a mobile backend as a service. Appcelerator Titanium is integrated with an open marketplace environment that increases the marketing opportunity of apps created using the framework.
11. Mobile Angular UI
Mobile Angular UI is an open-source framework that makes app development easy with prior knowledge of AngularJS and Bootstrap. It is one of the best frameworks to create hybrid mobile apps. It also provides a fully responsive framework that promises a great user experience and includes many default mobile components. Apps developed using this framework can be converted from web apps to mobile apps without any difficulty.
Mobile Angular UI prioritizes the betterment of their user experience and thus uses powerful libraries such as fastclick.js and overthrow.js to support it. They also have an extensive developer community that can provide assistance and support to all your related queries. Mobile Angular UI would serve as a perfect framework for developing modern web and mobile applications.
Also take a look at our blog on Mobile App or Website: Which is Better For Your Startup?
12. Swiftic
Swiftic is widely utilised to develop apps for the iOS platform and is appreciated for its impressive money-back guarantee. It provides a convenient 30-day money-back guarantee that is valid throughout all its available plans. Additionally, it also ensures a success-guarantee within 6 months of usage and includes free service for the next 6 months in case the opposite occurs.
These compelling features make Swiftic an exceptional framework of choice for an iOS app development company in USA. Furthermore, it is a suitable framework for apps that demand maximum customer engagement, like menu and food ordering apps, which support easy communication and increased app promotion.
Other impressive features of Swiftic include its ability to integrate third-parties coherently and provide definitive advanced analytics.
13. JQuery Mobile
JQuery Mobile is the most sought after hybrid mobile app development framework to create branded websites that require intense customization features and is supported by all operating systems including Firefox and Kindle. Despite the robust opportunity to enable customization of the theme of the apps, apps created using this framework are notably lightweight.
This is possible because it is built on a JQuery Core and configured with an HTML5 based user interface system. The framework also uses a simplified API that establishes high responsiveness and supports faster development of apps. JQuery Mobile is capable of setting up automatic initialization and host CSS manipulation schemes. This framework is most suitable for developing apps and web pages that anticipate high interaction and requires to be user-friendly.
14. Monaca
Monaca is a cross-platform hybrid app development framework that provides a flexible environment for development. The flexible characteristic of Monaca enables it to be integrated into existing workflow effortlessly with easy deployability. This is because it is a cloud-based framework and codes used to develop the app can be accessed from anywhere and everywhere.
It also supports continuous integration facilities remotely. Monaca also fronts powerful features to test and debug applications that individualize it from its competitors. Enterprises often choose this framework to build apps that are aesthetic yet high performance-oriented.
15. Onsen UI
Onsen UI is a hybrid app development framework based on HTML5 to create quick, aesthetically pleasing, complex apps. It requires zero time for setup as it uses familiar technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS for building apps.
It is optimised to automatically alter animations to provide equal performance quality throughout a varying range of devices. The framework also automatically adjusts its user interface components to serve both Android and iOS devices individually.
Apps created using Onsen UI would therefore have different appearance yet similar features based on the platform. Onsen UI also provides a clear documentation and has a vast community forum to help understand the framework and its underlying features with ease. All these services are accessible for free from this framework which makes it incredibly cost-effective.
Takeaway
Before choosing a framework to develop your mobile application, understanding the expectations from the application that you are determined to create is of key importance. Understanding the salient features of hosting your application on a single or cross-platform along with the benefits either of them would serve your application is equally essential.
This along with the awareness of other personal advantages and limitations such as budget, availability of expert developers, choice of the operating system, time, etc., would help analyse which framework would suit your and your apps’ needs perfectly.
Your choice of mobile app development framework is the foundation you lay forth for your application to prosper with increased user engagement.
