Which is Right for Your Project?

Which according to you will be the best hybrid mobile app framework 2024?

The shift from desktop applications to mobile applications wasn’t incidental but gradual. Mobile apps are a faster way to reach out to wider and more heterogeneous audiences. Speaking of mobile applications, there are various aspects related to mobile app development that account for success. Things like frameworks, platforms, and ASO are responsible for the triumph of mobile apps.

When we talk about frameworks, it comes down to native apps vs hybrid apps. Here, we’ll specifically talk about what is a hybrid mobile app framework.

But before that, you might need to be accustomed to the basic differences to proceed. Developers who are aware, know which one to root for. However, for those who do not know, the following explains the differences between the two.

10 Hybrid App Development Frameworks for your App Development are:

Here is the list of the best hybrid mobile app frameworks that make app development simple –

1. Ionic

When we talk about the best framework for mobile app development in 2024, Ionic is amongst the most popular frameworks to exist today. The front-end HTML is built on top of AngularJS and Cordova using the most upbeat APIs like Shadow DOM and Custom Elements. With Ionic, you’ll find it quite easy to build PWAs or Progressive Web Apps. Learning Ionic is easy for developers, and it makes it enjoyable to use the framework. 

It has a rich library with front-end building and premier user interface components that enable developers to create top-notch PWAs. It also enables developers to create fantastic designs and graphical representations in apps. The Ionic mobile hybrid framework will help a developer achieve UI design aspects like image design and placement, typography, innovative themes, etc.

Moreover, the Ionic CLI (Command Line Interface) is a medium/tool. It helps you develop hybrid apps built with TypeScript and Node.js, build a hybrid mobile app, and get regular updates. The Ionic CLI provides you with an inbuilt development server and debugging tools, along with catalyzing other pit facilities.

Thumbs Up

• Apps created are uncomplicated, with easy updates.
• You won’t need to spend prolonged hours working on the framework as it uses a lot of Angular concepts to catalyze the process  
• Has native functionalities
• A plethora of UI components
• Pre-generated app setups with creative layouts
• Extremely popular

Thumbs Down

• Testing gets intrinsic when the browser doesn’t provide the right information regarding the smartphone’s surroundings.
• No hot reloading
• Too much plugin-dependent
• Not the best for heavy apps

Website: https://ionicframework.com/

2. React Native

Developed as a web-interface development platform in 2013, React Native was officially released to develop hybrid mobile applications in 2015 by Facebook. One of the best hybrid app development frameworks, React Native earned a pretty good reputation in 2021, which is expected to continue throughout 2024 as well.

Many pits React Native against ionic as they consider them as common alternatives. While experts argue that Ionic leads to better UI and performances among apps, React Native, on the other hand, gives users an almost native-like experience among apps with more stability. React Native has a huge potential to become the future of hybrid mobile app development in the coming years. 

Command over React Native depends purely on its usage. What this means is a developer may not gain expertise over it in the first few usages. One has to spend some time with the mobile hybrid framework to comprehend the reactive pattern. But more than that, it’s the restricted UI features and the native features that compel developers to code more and more. 

Among application development frameworks, React Native is extensively used to create iOS and Android apps. A single JS codebase allows developers to make innovative mobile apps. Developers who are fluent in Java and Swift love to work on the React Native framework. It comes with Native modules and components that help boost an app’s performance. 

Many React native app development companies are adopting the framework to build hybrid mobile apps for tomorrow. Brands like Facebook, Instagram, 2048 Discovery VR, Gyroscope, etc., are using this one of the best hybrid app development frameworks to develop world-class apps.

Thumbs Up

• Expense saving with max code reuse
• Native code rendering
• Node.Js supported
• Easy identification of bugs
• Node Packet Manager (NPM) installation makes it easy to use for budding developers.
• Live reload with two screens- one for code modification and the second to preview the changes
• The time taken for the development process to complete is much less
• Lots of plugins to enable compatibility with hardware components of a device

Thumbs Down

• Not the best for apps having numerous screens, UI transitions, heavy special effects, and lots of interactions 
• Needs improvement in accessing hardware components 
• Shortcomings in the form of navigation components.
• Insufficient custom modules

Website: https://facebook.github.io/react-native/

3. Flutter

There has been a lot of hype regarding Flutter in the last two years. Google’s premier open-source SDK has earned the respect of developers worldwide. Flutter uses the powerful language Dart, another magnum opus of Google’s and the C++ rendering engine. The hybrid mobile app framework also uses Skia, a 2D rendering engine to make visuals. It is quick and aids in creating superb foundation libraries and widgets. 

Flutter enables developers to create apps with high-productive value as it has a single codebase for Android and iOS. It makes room to create highly creative UIs with flexible designs and allows compelling interactions that lead to the creation of brilliant MVPs (prototypes). That’s why big brands want Flutter as their hybrid web app framework.

There is something about Google’s innovations because every new development is a hot topic of discussion among tech forums. Big names like Alibaba, Birch Finance, Hamilton Musical, etc., have adopted Flutter to create powerful, engaging apps. And since it allows learning an absolutely new language (Dart), it’s created a lot of hype and jobs in the market. Additionally, flutter development companies are now working to develop engaging hybrid apps. 

Thumbs Up

• Apex choice for cross-platform development
• Lightning Fast 
• The hot reload feature enables coders to see the app’s changes immediately.
• Smooth UI designs with unorthodox design elements
• The absolute choice for MVP
• Dynamic code writing
• Provides own widgets
• Compatible with Fuchsia

Thumbs Down

• Very new; it still might have a lot of ground to cover
• Lack of profile data completion (iOS)
• Apps created via Flutter are (on average) 40 percent bigger in size than native apps.
• Developers need to learn Dart before using Flutter
• Some features have minimal support

Website: https://flutter.dev/

4. Apache Cordova

With so many great hybrid mobile app development frameworks out there, why would a developer (still) prefer Apache Cordova? First, let us know what it is.

Apache Cordova, also known as PhoneGap, is one of the top hybrid app frameworks out there. With this, apps can be written with JavaScript, CSS3, and HTML5. Cordova provides reliable cross-platform compatibility with just one code for all platforms. This reduces a developer’s efforts and makes it easier for him/her to progress. It’s quite cost-effective and a great choice if apps must be developed with budget constraints. 

Cordova has some other worthy features as well. It includes greater access to Native APIs, strong backend support, notable UI libraries that can upgrade the interface, and a lot more. Above all, it has Adobe’s trust.

An interesting feature of Cordova is ‘Build.’ The build is its cloud compiler that can compile apps even without any SDKs installed. With the PhoneGap mobile development framework, a developer can mold a feature-heavy and fully customized hybrid mobile app. These apps have the potential to reach out to a wider audience in limited ways and function with total efficiency. PhoneGap’s best use can be seen when a developer goes on to create mobile web apps that are not complex but rather easy to use and understand. 

Thumbs Up

• It’s compatible with a single codebase for iOS, Android, and Windows 7 platforms.
• Rugged backend system
• Extremely flexible as it supports HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3
• Taps into the system’s hardware components like a Camera, navigation compass, etc, without tampering with the design (UI) features.
• Rapid testing can be performed with ease
• Easily compatible with the plugin architecture

Thumbs Down

• Apps can be tentatively slower
• Popular mostly among smaller businesses
• Doesn’t support every functionality
• Shows signs of efficiency while working with native apps
• Fewer pre-built UI widgets

Website: https://cordova.apache.org/ 

5. Xamarin

Another of the best hybrid mobile app frameworks is Xamarian. Acquired by the software giant Microsoft, Xamarin is one of the most intelligent frameworks used by developers. The framework is written using C#, which is more modern and has improvements over Java and Objective-C. But what makes Xamarin so unique is that it has the means to include libraries for Java, C++, and Objective-C directly. 

Moreover, Xamarin’s assemblage of libraries is huge. The framework reduces explicit costs and gives minimum budget hassles.

Where it gets interesting that Xamarin is often competing with React Native for the topmost spot. This is because developers are looking for creative ways to build hybrid apps balancing both creativity and budget. 

Xamarin can be used to develop hybrid apps for iOS, Android, and Windows. It’s known to give an equal performance and UX of a native app. With their native UI controls, Xamarin apps show absolute prowess. 

Also, the Xamarin Mac tools is a recurring name among hybrid app development tools. Interestingly, it’s known to follow the WORA principle which expands to Write Once, Run Anytime. On Xamarin’s official forum and also third-party websites, it has a huge community and gets substantial support too. 

Setting up Xamarin is a piece of cake. Once the installation is complete, developers can proceed with the configuration where they have to provide the whereabouts of Android SDK and Java. Once the procedure is complete, developers need to go to Xamarin Studio to create their private accounts and follow the rules that are on display. Once done, this one of the best hybrid mobile app development frameworks is ready for usage.

Thumbs Up

• Provides native UI features
• More than 95 percent of the code is reusable for different platforms
• Apps connect brilliantly with hardware components via plugins
• Xamarin features its own fully-developed ecosystem
• Wider learning opportunities
• Continuous performance without being unstable
• Easy API integration
• Spot on for cross-platform development
• Fast GUI prototyping 
• Excellent code sharing and maintenance

Thumbs Down

• Highly expensive in comparison to any other mobile web app framework
• Not many developers know how to use Xamarin
• Platform-specific limitations in Android and iOS
• Overhead codes- unable to allow smooth integration 
• Not ideal for game development

Website: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/apps/xamarin

6. NativeScript

For those who want their cross-platform apps to be coded in JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular, NativeScript is among the best hybrid app development frameworks. The platform allows users to access the APIs for both iOS and Android devices. NativeScript apps are created using JavaScript or any other programming language.

The apps created in NativeScript are completely native and use the same APIs as used in Xcode or Android Studio. The apps can be integrated with this party library from CocoaPods, Maven, and npm.js. 

Another notable feature is the use of reflection to handle native API endpoints. In place of requiring separate binding layers between NativeScript and the mobile platform API, NativeScript uses reflection to gain information and metadata about the native platform APIs. All the features added to any native platform API can be used immediately for React Native apps. 

Moreover, the introduction of NativeScript 2.0 has made use of Angular to build cross-platform mobile applications possible. When you are using Angular with NativeScript you can share large chunks of code between your mobile and web apps.

Thumbs up

• Executes fast
• Compiles down as a native code and runs as a native app
• Split custom content
• Support for Vue.js.

Thumbs down

• Bad documentation
• Examples have far too many unrealistic assumptions
• Misleading description of the environment.

Website: https://nativescript.org/

7. Kendo UI

Kendo UI offers the best collection of JavaScript UI components with the libraries of Agular, React, jQuery, and Vue. Using Kendo UI allows you to quickly build high-performance, eye-catching, and responsive applications regardless of which javascript framework has been opted by you.

Kendo UI allows you to easily add advanced UI components to your existing design and take advantage of your existing libraries. It offers a bunch of advanced features like advanced data grid components, charts, spreadsheets, schedulers, and much more.

If you are not very much aware of Kendo UI, then let me tell you some interesting points about this hybrid app framework. It is open-source, but usually, it is developed for enterprise customers. The app does not have free versions. 

There are many different aspects on which Kendo UI is one of the popular hybrid app development frameworks and one reason is its world-class support. Also, it guarantees that their strict QA process has tested every component. If we talk about Kendo UI’s clients, we find NASA, HP, and over 140,000 other companies worldwide.

Last but not least, Kendo UI is used to develop mobile apps with HTML5 and works efficiently across all major smartphone platforms. With all these features and functionality, it is counted as among the most prominent hybrid app development frameworks. You can also consider the framework if you are looking for an enterprise-grade solution with dedicated support.

Thumbs up

• Export data to various mime formats
• Present a hierarchy of topics that users can navigate
• Great editor control

Thumbs down

• Lack of support on rare occasions
• Datasource has a learning curve
• Better documentation is needed.

Website: https://www.telerik.com/kendo-ui

8. Framework7

Framework7 is an open-source and free hybrid app framework which is used for creating desktop, mobile, and web-based applications with a native feel and appearance. This best hybrid app development platform offers UI components that will run seamlessly on any platform. 

Framework7 can be paired with advanced tools like NW.js, and Electron. This best hybrid app development framework allows you to use any tools of your choice, except HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Framework7 allows you to develop hybrid mobile apps, web apps, and progressive web apps (PWAs) with a native look and feel. Additionally, it can be paired with extra tools like Electron and NW.js and allow you to build native desktop apps.

Counted as one of the most famous hybrid app frameworks, it can be an indispensable prototyping tool to show working app prototypes as soon as possible, in case you need to. Framework7 offers a rich ecosystem of components for popular JS frameworks like Vue, React, and Svelte.

This hybrid app development framework gets more interesting when we come to know that Framework7 mainly focuses on iOS and Google Materials. It also provides you with the best and easy-to-understand experience.

Thumbs up

• Easy to learn and implement
• Contains plenty of widgets and components
• Built-in helper libraries.

Thumbs down

• Only supports iOS and Android
• Less online community support.
• Average documentation.

Website: https://framework7.io/

9. Aurelia

Aurelia is one of the great and powerful top hybrid mobile app frameworks that allows users to create components using vanilla JavaScript or TypeScript. The best framework for hybrid mobile app development, it supports an extensive online community with effortless coding and unmatched extensibility

Aurelia is a simple, powerful, and easy-to-use framework that allows users to create multi-platform apps with better routing, composition, and progressive enhancement.

It is considered to be the most powerful platform for building browser, desktop, and mobile applications. Aurelia can be used in any JavaScript or Node.js project. Also, this hybrid app development framework strictly follows web standards and can be readily integrated with any framework or library out there.

The most notable Aurelia modules include metadata, dependency injection, binding, templating, and routing. The ecosystem of this hybrid app development includes plugins for state management, internationalization, and validation, as well as tools like a CLI, Chrome debugger, and VS Code plugin.  It is 100% free to use and licensed under the MIT license.

Thumbs up

• Simple testing
• Effortless coding and conventions
• High performance
• React binding

Thumbs down

• Learning curve
• Average documentation

Website: https://aurelia.io/

10. Onsen UI

Onsen UI is a great framework choice that allows you to create applications and components for various operating systems. It is one of the fastest ways to develop HTML5 hybrid applications. It is the most effective tool for formulating complicated mobile applications.

The technologies that Onsen UI uses to develop mobile apps create brilliant HTML apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. It offers a native look and feel to its users, a lot of ready-to-use components, and automatic styling.

You can develop native-feeling Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and hybrid apps easily with Onsen UI. It is an open-source framework. The important archive is written in complete JavaScript and context skeptical. It means you can use it with your favorite frameworks and tools.

The platform optionally auto-styles the mechanisms, making it possible to support both iOS and Android with the same source code. Onsen UI has been perfectly optimized for mobile use and is easy to learn. The apps developed on Onsen UI will have a smooth experience even on lower-end devices.

Thumbs up

• Easy to use
• Performance optimized for a range of devices
• Fast and efficient

Thumbs down

• Weak documentation
• Still support

Website: https://onsen.io/

Mobile App Development Frameworks Comparison

A comparison table of the mentioned frameworks can clarify their differences in performance, ecosystem support, and learning curve & developer experience. Here’s a brief overview:

Native vs. Hybrid app framework – Know the difference 

Native- Native apps are singularly developed for their inherent platforms, either iOS or Android. A native Android app will be written using Java or Kotlin and a native iOS app with Objective-C or Swift. The Android ones can be compiled by Android Studio and iOS apps with Xcode. Native apps are the fastest but, at the same time, expensive. The app written for one platform cannot be used by the other. For e.g., An app written in Kotlin cannot run on iOS platforms and vice versa. 

Hybrid- Before proceeding to the real discussion, let’s understand “What is a hybrid app development framework?” First, Hybrid app development can be defined as an amalgamation of native and web app developments, thus the name hybrid. Since hybrid apps are developed for more than one platform, you will need the best cross-platform framework. These apps are developed using web technologies, including HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. They are easier and quicker to build than natives but aren’t faster than them. A few advantages of hybrid mobile app development include cost-saving and a single code base with which you can develop each app for multiple platforms.

There are many other aspects to Native vs Hybrid apps, but the key points above are the key points to distinguishing the two. 

How to Choose the Right Framework for Your Project

Selecting the best framework for your project entails taking into account to make sure it fits your needs, the capabilities of your team, and your expectations for future maintenance. Here’s a structured approach to help you make an informed decision:

1. Project Requirements and Goals

Type of Application: Determine if your project is a simple app with basic functionality or if it requires native features, high performance, and smooth animations for its complex application.

Platform Coverage: You need to decide which platforms (iOS, Android, Web) your app should support and determine if a natively developed experience is required on each one.

Performance Needs: Your app’s performance is crucial. High-performance frameworks are more effective for graphics-intensive games and data-heavy applications.

2. Development Time and Cost

Speed of Development: Some frameworks offer faster development cycles due to hot reload capabilities, a wide range of pre-built components, or easier learning curves.

Resource Availability: Consider the development cost, including the availability of developers skilled in the framework and the salary expectations for those developers.

3. Ecosystem and Community Support

Libraries and Plugins: Third-party libraries and plugins in a rich ecosystem can significantly speed up development by offering ready-made solutions.

Documentation and Learning Resources: An active community and high-quality, up-to-date documentation can help resolve issues faster and improve the learning curve for users.

4. Scalability and Maintenance

Framework Stability and Updates: Actively maintain and update a framework to ensure its long-term viability and support for the latest platform versions.

Codebase Maintainability: To maintain and update the app easily, a well-structured and documented codebase is essential.

5. Team Expertise and Preferences

Existing Skills: Align the framework choice with the existing skills of your development team. A familiar framework can reduce the learning curve and accelerate development.

Developer Experience: Consider the overall developer experience with the framework, including tooling, debugging, and testing capabilities.

6. Long-term Viability

Community Activity: A vibrant, active community and strong corporate backing can be indicators of a framework’s long-term viability.

Adoption Trends: Research the adoption trends and feedback from other companies or developers. A good indicator of a framework’s success and longevity is its high adoption rates.

7. Try Before You Decide

Prototype Development: Consider building a small prototype or proof of concept with the shortlisted frameworks. This can give you a practical understanding of how well each framework meets your needs.

Future Trends in Hybrid App Development

The landscape of hybrid app development is continually changing and is driven by technological advancements. Due to this, it changes consumer expectations and helps businesses in their growing need to have a strong mobile presence.

1. Increased Adoption of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

Users find Progressive Web Apps more popular due to their ability to deliver a user experience. It is similar to native apps and is easily accessible through web browsers. Offline capabilities, fast load times, and easier development and maintenance make these apps more advantageous than traditional mobile apps in development and use.

2. Rise of Cross-Platform Development Frameworks

Multiple platforms can run apps produced by frameworks like Flutter and React Native using a single codebase. It is gaining popularity for these frameworks. These cross-platform development frameworks not only speed up development but also reduce costs. The performance of apps built with them continually improves, narrowing the gap with native apps.

3. Integration of AI and Machine Learning

The use of AI and machine learning will increasingly be incorporated into hybrid apps. Intelligent chatbots and voice assistants provide personalized content and recommendations. Users can engage more deeply with these technologies and have more personalized app experiences.

4. Focus on App Performance and Optimization

Developers emphasize optimizing hybrid apps for improved performance, achieving faster load times and smoother animations. Developers use advanced techniques and tools for performance profiling and optimization. This ensures that hybrid apps provide a user experience that rivals native apps.

5. Enhanced Support for AR/VR

AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies become more mainstream. Soon hybrid apps will start to integrate these features for more immersive experiences. This could be particularly impactful in the eCommerce, education, and gaming sectors.

6. More Sophisticated Security Measures

Hybrid apps are expected to incorporate more robust security features in response to increasing data privacy and security concerns. Standard practices will include encryption, secure storage, and secure communication protocols to protect sensitive information.

7. Expansion of Cloud Integration

In hybrid app development, cloud services will offer more significant benefits, including scalability, reliability, and the ability to do something. Large amounts of data can be processed efficiently with cloud integration. It facilitates features such as cloud storage, real-time data syncing, and backend processing.

Statistics and Market Insights

According to a Statista survey, as of 2021, 42% of developers used cross-platform technologies or frameworks for their mobile development, indicating a significant shift towards hybrid app development.

The global mobile app market size is projected to grow significantly, with forecasts suggesting it will reach several hundred billion dollars in revenue by 2025, underlining the expanding opportunity for hybrid apps.

PWAs are seeing increased adoption rates, with companies reporting higher conversion rates and engagement metrics after implementing PWA versions of their websites or apps.

Conclusion

After going through what is a hybrid mobile app framework? Well, it’s a real tough one to pick the best framework for mobile app development in 2024, IMHO. Picking one would be impossible so it’s better to settle for two- Flutter and React Native.

Flutter is new, powerful, compatible with Fuchsia, and allows learning the new language Dart (It’s a BIG thing). It also gives a single code base for iOS and Android. Flutter could likely be the future of all frameworks. But then we also have the super-efficient React Native. 

It makes coding an intriguing job for developers and makes it easier for them to make interactive apps. Moreover, it supports Node.Js and saves a lot of time and space. Both Flutter and React Native have stockpiles of the best hybrid apps. We suggest you study what the best Hybrid App Development Companies would use and recommend for your case.

Now that you have an open book for the best and trending hybrid frameworks for 2024, open up your systems and start creating.

‘Happy Coding!’