Top Cross Platform App Developers in 2024

In the past, when you wanted to create an application or game, you would first have to decide which platform this application would be built on – Windows, Android, iOS, Etc.

Once you’ve made that decision, you will hire the best cross platform app developers that can build that application for the platform you want.

For instance, if you wanted to create an application for Windows, you would hire the top cross platform app developers to build your application on Windows. 

If you wanted the application to run on both Windows, iOS, and Android, you would need to hire three different developers to create your app for all three platforms individually while coordinating them to ensure all three versions would be the same.

As you can imagine, this would be a logistical nightmare, but more importantly, it would triple the expenses for the client.

To solve this problem, Cross-platform development was invented. So, how does cross-platform development work?

Cross Platform App Development Process

In today's world, cross platform development is almost mandatory, and hiring a company that offers cross platform app development services is usually the best approach to reach the largest possible audience.

So let us go through what steps top cross platform app developers need to take to create a cross-platform application successfully.

1. Planning

In the planning phase, you must decide which platforms you want to target. This will be the foundation upon which the whole app development process will be based.

It would be best if you were considering the current platforms and any platforms that will be incoming shortly. Think about your app. Will you require it to run on a desktop or mobile, as a web app, or even on a console? And then work from there.

Once you have a clear plan on what platforms you want your app to run on, we move on to the design.

2. Design

In the design phase, it will be decided what the app will look like and how it will function. Here you will get a more detailed look at the timeframe for the app development process and an estimation of the total cost of development.

Staff will be hired by the end of the design stage, depending on the project size and scale. And when the design manifest has been finalized, development can finally start.

3. Development

The development phase is likely the longest part of the whole project. All the UI/UX, front-end, and back-end will be dealt with in the development phase of cross-platform app creation.

In most cases, the application will be developed as a web app using HTML/CSS/JS, and once it's working, the base code will be implemented in each platform it is supposed to run on using native code.

It is only when the app is complete and requires no further work in creating that the development phase is finished. But, the project is far from over. Now, we are entering the testing phase.

4. Testing

It is in the testing phase where the testing team or hired testers will use the app on each platform that the app is supposed to run on. All bugs and issues will be addressed and summed up into a bug report or sheet. The bug sheet will be a guide map to make sure the app works on each of the intended platforms correctly and without errors. The testing phase will be active until all the errors have been fixed.

Once the app works flawlessly on every platform, it is time for launch.

5. Launch

The launch will be when the app is released to the public through self-publishment or by launching it through a publishing studio. This will be decided in the planning phase beforehand, and the marketing strategy will follow accordingly.

The project still needs to be completed now that the app is live. The app behavior and user feedback will be closely monitored to implement updates and patches depending on the users’ needs.

If any additional bugs are discovered at this stage, the development team will sort the problems and fix them through a patch.

6. Maintenance

Now, the only thing left to do is to monitor for bugs and software updates depending on the specified platform it is on. For example, if the app is a mobile app that runs on Android and iOS, the cross-platform app will require an update for both Android and iOS, respectively, as those platforms make changes.

How maintenance is handled, how long it will last, and how much it will cost will be decided at an early stage of the project, usually in the planning or design phase, depending on the project's complexity.

But is cross platform development necessary?

Many would argue that it is essential in today's market. 

Because if you want to reach a larger audience of potential customers, you will need to develop the app across multiple platforms. And there is not a good one to choose because, in terms of mobile, the world is divided about 70%-30% in Android's favor, with other platforms taking a bit of that cake. And while that number may persuade you to jump to Android immediately, it also comes with its own problems. There is one iPhone, while there are multiple Android-based phone manufacturers worldwide. And all of them come with their own set of screen sizes, hardware limitations, and many other problems that may not be immediately perceived. Android-based apps will likely require more updates as time progresses. All those factors come with increased costs.

And you also have to consider PC, and sometimes even Console, depending on the type of app you are trying to make.

Cross Platform App Development Languages

The majority of top cross platform app developers will be masters of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to be able to execute your idea successfully onto the desired platforms.

Depending on which platforms they specialize in, they will also have Android developers who use Java for most of their projects.

iOS developers will use either Objective – C, but most of them will have moved to Swift, which Apple prefers as it is a much faster language in terms of performance.

Desktop developers or Windows developers will use C# because that is a Microsoft programming language based on Java, except it has been improved to have better performance.

In order to build apps that would work on all other platforms simultaneously without increasing costs, best cross platform app developers opted to use programming languages used to develop web apps.

There are also more efficient and popular ways of doing cross platform by utilizing the following tools:

React Native

React Native is an innovative and powerful tool for developers creating cross platform mobile applications. It allows for the codebase to be shared between iOS, Android, web, and Windows devices, helping to cut down on development times and costs. 

At its core, React Native uses native components that help create a more responsive user experience than other cross platform options. This flexibility makes it easier for developers to align their projects with industry standards. 

With React Native quickly becoming an integral part of the mobile development space, it is worth considering for any developer looking to take advantage of cross platform technologies.

Flutter

Flutter is quickly becoming a development platform of choice for many developers around the world. This open-source platform enables developers to construct cross-platform apps, confirming its effectiveness as a cross-platform mobile design system.

However, Flutter doesn't just stop there - it also easily supports web and desktop implementation. 

Its extensive set of features, such as hot reloading, high-performance widgets, and faster code execution, make Flutter an ideal platform for building innovative and efficient cross-platform applications. With Flutter's popularity growing exponentially, it's no wonder why more developers are choosing Flutter for their cross-platform needs.

Unity

Unity is a powerful tool that facilitates creating unique experiences across all platforms, regardless of size or complexity. Unity enables developers to quickly expand to multiple platforms, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with cross platform development. 

Unity ensures consistent performance across varying hardware so developers can have the same experience when designing for mobile or desktop devices. Unity's intuitive tools allow developers to focus on creating, instead of IT issues, allowing innovative applications and games to go from concept to completion in record time. 

Unity helps developers bring their ideas to life efficiently and cost-effectively without sacrificing quality or having to develop specific applications for each individual platform.

If all this sounds complicated – opting to hire a top cross platform development company would be a safe investment.

This is only the majority of languages and tools, but depending on the development studio, the programming languages and tools used by the best cross platform app development companies may vary based on their preferences and what they are most comfortable with.

If you have a specific language in mind that you want to use, you can narrow down your selection by filtering the offered choices.

How to choose the right Cross Platform App Development company for your business?

1. Narrow down a list of potential Cross Platform App Development companies to collaborate with

Here it is essential to consider location and user ratings if they exist. Location is crucial if you would like to have a face-to-face relationship with the company that is developing your app. While that is not required to create a successful app, delivering your message and thoughts in person is much easier than over a video or voice call.

Check for user ratings and feedback from previous clients. This will give you a general idea of what you might expect from working with a company that offers cross platform app development services.

2. Check specializations and portfolios

Once you have a more focused list of possible prospects, it is a good idea to filter further by specialization. There is a high chance that specific companies offering cross platform app development services specialize in particular platforms. This may play well in your favor if you pick someone with much experience working with the media you want your app to run on.

3. Check project management methodologies company used: Agile, Waterfall, Kanban, or Scrum 

The 4 most popular management methodologies used in software are:

• Waterfall is most effective for linearly finished projects and does not permit going back to a previous step.
• Agile focuses on concurrent, adaptable processes. Agile approaches divide projects into iteratively smaller phases.
• Kanban is an Agile approach that focuses mostly on process improvements.
• Scrum is an Agile approach that is focused on increasing productivity.

Pick one of the top cross platform app developers that uses the methodology that suits your vision the most. If you have a project well planned out and expect no changes, go with Waterfall. If you expect to change the app often based on user requirements and user experience, then pick Agile.

4. Compare prices keeping your budget in mind

Once you have narrowed your pick for top cross platform development companies to only a few, it is time to consider your budget. Depending on the size and complexity of the app, the project price may vary wildly.

It is usually the best approach to consult multiple companies you would like to work with and ultimately pick the one you feel would create the best version of the cross platform app you’ve imagined.

How much do Cross Platform App Development companies charge for their services?

It is hard to put a number here because it can vary a lot based on your app size, complexity, how much customization it will require, and how unique it is. All these factors will affect the time frame and how much staff will be required.

The cost may or may not include marketing which is an essential aspect if you want the launch phase of the app's development to be successful.

The best is to consult with a studio once you've found one, but even then, the final budget or a close estimation will likely only be made at the end of the planning phase or during the design phase.

You can always check the minimum project size of a company and go from there.

Conclusion

Hiring a company that offers cross platform app development services is always the best approach when building a cross platform application. The reason for that is that you are not only paying for the final product – the app and possible maintenance. You are paying for your idea to be molded into a finished product by a team of experienced programmers working on similar projects.

Hiring experienced and specialized cross platform app developers means that they know what they are doing and will cover things you likely wouldn’t even think of unless you have previous experience in this field. You are paying for labor, knowledge, creativity, management, logistics, a focused workflow, and advanced planning. You also pay for experienced responses to roadblocks such as bugs, errors, and late-minute changes.

You are paying for the complete package, which you would otherwise have to do yourself for the entire duration of the project.

If you have an excellent idea for a cross platform app – hire one of the top cross platform app developer companies and see your vision transform into reality.