What are the Best Frameworks for Mobile App Development in 2021-22?

Developers rely on frameworks to boost the performance and efficiency of the development task when creating any mobile application. The framework makes the tedious process of creating a mobile application from scratch much easier.

A number of frameworks are now available that developers can choose from. In order for any developer to make the right choice of framework for his app, it is essential to study the options available in the market. This article delves into the best JavaScript frameworks of 2021-22 that one can select from.

1. React Native

Launched by Facebook in 2015, React Native has come a long way to become the most popular framework for cross-platform app development. React JS development services are cost-effective, a great time-saver, and have a smooth learning curve. Start-ups especially prefer to hire React JS developers to create their new-age cross-platform apps. 

React JS development companies are able to create a mobile application with a native look and feel for Android as well as iOS. React JS even includes platform-specific modules. That is because it has a single code repository that is shareable between platforms. 

The hired React JS developers need not create different applications for each platform. One team of developers can suffice for the development of app for all the mobile platforms. Some may argue that nothing beats native apps when it comes to performance. However, React Native upholds that the framework can help developers build a mobile application that performs almost identical to a native application.

2. Flutter

Flutter is the second most popular framework that is in neck-to-neck competition with React Native. They are both open-source and cross-platform mobile app development frameworks. Their difference lies in the type of application one is building and the developer’s level of expertise.

For businesses building their minimum viable product (MVP), Flutter is the best choice. This incredible framework is also great, with 2D mobile apps meant to run on iOS and Android. It is also the best choice for interactive apps that run on desktop or web pages.

Compared to React Native, Flutter poses a rough learning curve. React Native uses JavaScript and React approach, popular programming languages that are commonly used by developers. Dart, on the other hand, is an object-oriented programming language. It supports static typing and sports a syntax different from JavaScript.

Flutter is excellent for 2D mobile apps and interactive apps because it has pixel rendering features. Flutter SDK manages every pixel of the screen. It makes sure that all widgets look the same on every mobile device, eliminating the common device support woes. It also creates stunning user interfaces that look the same, whether for Android or iOS.

The Hot Reload feature is one of Flutter’s highlights. Developers can make changes in their mobile application and see the results immediately during development. It helps in adding new features and in fixing bugs.

3. Ionic

Ionic is another popular open-source development framework that is HTML5 based. This framework is primarily focused on the look, feel, and user interface of the app to be developed. 

Ionic can be used to develop cross-platform applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is, therefore, regarded as a combined web and mobile app framework. It is an excellent framework to choose if someone is working on a limited budget and time.

The only downside of Ionic is that its performance is diminished when developing native applications as compared to that in the case of Flutter and React Native. Also, the framework is plugin-dependent and does not have a Hot Reload.

4. Xamarin

Xamarin was launched by Microsoft in 2013 to aid .NET developers in building modern and high-performing applications for Android, iOS, and Windows.

Xamarin is an open source cross-platform framework which allows developers to share almost 90 per cent of their applications across major platforms. It shares a common codebase, which reduces the development time and cost for the mobile app to be developed.

Xamarin, though quite popular, has a few drawbacks as well. Even though it is cross-platform, the hired developer needs to be familiar with platform-specific codes. Also, it has minimal community support compared to other frameworks.

Nonetheless, it is still a powerful framework that can assist developers in developing apps for iOS or Windows and compile it for Mac. It offers a very flexible and convenient development environment that adds to the reasons for choosing it for any app development process. 

5. PhoneGap

PhoneGap is another open-source, cross-platform mobile app development framework. Compared to the above-mentioned technologies, PhoneGap has a smooth learning curve. One does not need extensive knowledge of programming languages; all it requires is a familiarity with basic languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. PhoneGap creators strive to bridge the gap between hybrid and native apps, creating a cross-platform framework without sudden complexities.

However, if a company plans to build a heavy gaming application, PhoneGap might not align with hardware intensive apps. Another drawback of this framework is the development of environment. iOS application development strictly needs MAC. 

The MAC enables a developer to download and run iOS SDKs, a necessity for iOS application development. Without the necessary tools, a product won’t progress in any manner.

The above five mobile app frameworks are deemed to rule the roost in 2021-22. When planning to develop an app, a person needs to ensure that the basic features such as their requirements, desires, budget, and time available for app development is aligned with the features offered by the framework. These simple questions can lead them to choose the right framework that meets their developmental requirements and produce an app to match their plans efficiently.