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Cross-Platform App Development: How Technologies like Flutter, Kotlin Multiplatform & Co. Help Realize App Ideas Cost-Efficiently
In this article, we explain what cross-platform app development is and which technologies—such as Flutter and Kotlin Multiplatform—are used for it. We also examine the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches compared to native app development and provide insights into a successful case study.
What is Cross-Platform Development?
Cross-platform development refers to the approach of building a mobile app that works on multiple platforms—typically iOS and Android—without needing to create separate codebases for each one. Unlike native app development, where platform-specific programming languages are used, cross-platform app development allows most of the code to be written once and reused across platforms.
Technologies for Cross-Platform Development: A Comparison
There are several established frameworks for mobile app development that support cross-platform development. Each comes with its own strengths and is suited for different scenarios. Below, we present the most well-known solutions and compare them.
Flutter
Flutter, developed by Google, has become one of the most popular solutions for mobile app development in recent years. Based on the Dart programming language, Flutter enables apps to run on iOS, Android, and even web and desktop platforms. Its biggest strength lies in creating high-performance user interfaces that feel smooth and natural. A standout feature is “Hot Reload,” which lets developers see code changes immediately without a full rebuild—saving a lot of development time. Flutter also offers a rich set of widgets, allowing for consistent yet customizable UI across platforms.
Kotlin Multiplatform
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is a relatively new technology that allows the business logic (e.g., network requests, data processing) to be shared between Android and iOS. Unlike Flutter, which also handles the UI cross-platform, KMP focuses on sharing the core functionality. The UI is still developed natively for each platform, ensuring the app looks and behaves exactly as users expect. This makes KMP particularly attractive for projects where user experience is a top priority, while maintaining consistent logic across platforms. Since Kotlin is the official language for Android, existing Android projects can be easily migrated to a multiplatform environment.
React Native
Developed by Facebook, React Native is another popular cross-platform solution. It uses JavaScript and allows developers to build apps from a single codebase that runs on both iOS and Android. One of its major advantages is its large developer community and a wide library of third-party plugins. Since React Native uses native UI components, the apps often feel very natural. However, for complex and graphics-heavy apps—like games or those with a lot of animations—React Native may suffer performance issues. In such cases, Flutter's native rendering engine often performs better.
Xamarin
Supported by Microsoft, Xamarin uses the C# programming language. A key benefit is its deep integration with the .NET ecosystem, making it attractive for enterprises already using Microsoft technologies. Xamarin allows for cross-platform development while still enabling platform-specific API calls, offering more flexibility than pure cross-platform solutions. It’s ideal when .NET-based code is already in use and seamless integration of backend and frontend components is required.
Other Frameworks
Other approaches include NativeScript, which allows native app development using JavaScript and TypeScript, or Unity, which is particularly popular in game development. However, these frameworks are generally suited for specific use cases.
Benefits of Cross-Platform Development
Choosing cross-platform development brings many advantages, especially in terms of cost and time to market:
- Cost savings via a single codebase: One codebase for multiple platforms eliminates the need for separate iOS and Android teams, significantly reducing both initial development and ongoing maintenance costs.
- Faster development and maintenance: Shared code shortens development cycles and simplifies maintenance since bug fixes and updates only need to be made in one place.
- Consistent user experience: Cross-platform development enables a unified user experience across all platforms, with centrally controlled UI elements and interactions.
Challenges and Solutions in Cross-Platform Development
Despite its many advantages, cross-platform development does come with certain challenges—mainly technical, but also related to user experience (UX).
User Experience
A common criticism of cross-platform apps is that they don't feel truly “native.” Users expect apps to adhere to platform-specific design guidelines. To address this, we make sure our cross-platform apps use or customize native UI components for each platform.
Platform-Specific Requirements
Each platform has its own native features, such as notifications, hardware access (camera, GPS), or payment services, which must be seamlessly integrated.
Regular Updates and Compatibility
Maintaining compatibility with the latest OS updates is a continuous challenge. Both iOS and Android frequently introduce new features and APIs, so we closely monitor these changes—especially when using frameworks like Flutter.
Performance in Graphic-Intensive Apps
For apps with complex graphics, animations, or AR features, native performance is sometimes hard to match. While Flutter performs well, for high-end animations we often recommend a hybrid approach or the use of native components.
Case Study: “Juniti” – Successful Cross-Platform App for Social Services
A great example from our app development agency is the Juniti project.
The Juniti app connects users with local social institutions (e.g., youth clubs), linking young people, staff, and parents on one platform. It aims to support social workers and improve the quality of services. Features include GDPR-compliant group chats, event management, and news updates, all designed to facilitate better communication and youth engagement.
UX Challenge
The biggest challenge was creating an intuitive, user-friendly app despite its wide feature set. Since the app is used by both children and adults, the user experience had to appeal to all age groups. Flutter allowed us to customize platform-specific UI elements while maintaining a consistent UX across devices.
Cost-Efficiency Through Cross-Platform Development
A limited budget made cross-platform development essential. Using Flutter, we were able to implement the entire app using a single codebase—significantly reducing costs while delivering all required features without compromising quality or performance.
Which Technology Is Right for Your Project?
The best technology for your app depends on several factors, including budget, functionality, and long-term maintenance. Not every cross-platform tool fits every use case. Here are a few decision-making criteria:
- App complexity: If your app needs advanced animations or graphic-intensive features, a native or hybrid approach might be better. For simpler apps, Flutter is a great choice.
- Future-proofing: If you plan regular updates or need platform-specific features, choose a well-maintained framework like Flutter or KMP.
- Budget: Cross-platform development can save significant costs. Flutter, in particular, enables cost-effective app development with high quality.
Want to Build an App? Let’s Get Started!
Want to have an app developed and learn which technology fits your project best? Our app agency has extensive experience with Flutter, Kotlin Multiplatform, and native app development.
Contact us for a free consultation—we’ll turn your app idea into a professional product. We're your go-to app development company when it comes to turning ideas into reality.
