Developers of apps for mobile devices have more and more options to develop cross-platform projects for iOS , Android and Windows Phone such as Xamarin or PhoneGap .
As they say, there are not all that are, but they are all that are. In the following list of the TOP 5 of the development platforms for iOS and Android , it is very possible that you are missing one, perhaps your favorite development platform, but neglect because we will pose it as the first chapter of a series. Let’s start.
Xamarin, multiplatform development for iOS and Android
It is no coincidence that we start with Xamarin , especially now that it is current after being acquired by Microsoft , something we already informed you about a few weeks ago on CICEblogs . And its acquisition is no coincidence either. In a few years, Xamarin has become, on its own merits, the favorite platform of many developers, interested in offering native apps for iOS , Android and now, also for Windows 10. Without a doubt, the main advantage over the official solutions of Apple and Google , is their versatility for cross-platform development.
Among its features, an interactive information panel in real time that offers data on the use of connected users ( Xamarin Insights ), or the platform to automate tests of the operation and performance of apps with Xamarin Test Cloud . Available in a free version as Xamarin Studio Community for Windows and Mac (for students, Open Source development and for small teams) or paid with Visual Studio Professional .
PhoneGap, the development platform of Adobe
Adobe PhoneGap is the Open Source distributionof Apache Cordova , thereference framework for the development of WebApps (multiplatform apps based on open web technology such as HTML, CSS and JS), originally created by Nitobi Software and acquired in 2011 by Adobe . In this way, Adobe offers its customers not only the market-leading design tools, but also a powerful cross-platform tool to create WebApps without the need to acquire the necessary knowledge to program in the native languages of iOS and Android., but without giving up access to the APIs that control the hardware of the devices such as camera or GPS. Thus offering a complete native app experience .
Its main advantage is that there are no modalities or prices, Adobe PhoneGap is free. Unless you want to access Adobe PhoneGap Build , the repository of apps from Adobe , with prices ranging between Free (1 app privately with a maximum size of 50 MB without plugins ), the $ 9.99 (25 apps private with a maximum of 100 MB each and plugin support ), and the subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud , to choose, which adds a limit of 1 GB per app to the previous option .
Appery.ip, cloud development
Although it is true that, at the moment, Microsoft Xamarin and Adobe PhoneGap are the two most popular development platforms, they are not the only ones. A good alternative example is Appery.io a development platform apps based on the cloud and does not require installation on your local hard disk. Used, according to its creators, by large phone manufacturers such as Samsung or AT&T . Highlighting its compatibility with the main Database and business information solutions such as Oracle , SQL Server , MySQL or Sharepoint . With support forApache Cordova to access the native functionalities of the different development platforms such as iOS , Android and Windows Phone (accelerometer, camera, GPS, microphone, storage, etc.), and based on web technologies such as JS ( JavaScript ), jQuery Mobile , AngularJS and Bootstrap . In addition to offering group work options with real-time synchronization, user and permission management, version options and backups.
Appery.io is available in 5 monthly subscription modalities: Basic ($ 30), Standard ($ 45 if payment is made monthly, and $ 30 if annual), Pro ($ 85 monthly, $ 57 annual), Team ( $ 200 monthly, and $ 135 annual) and Enterprise (with a personalized plan and price on request).
Appcelerator, apps with JavaScript
The fourth development platform that we will highlight is Appcelerator , with features shared with those previously seen but with the particularity of being based on Eclipse , another of the best known open source framework for application development. Appcelerator also joins the trend of using web technology and open standards such as JavaScript to create apps compatible with any device and operating system, accessing, as in the previous cases, also the native APIs that support the hardware .
Appcelerator is not only a development environment, it also offers automated verification features for apps to debug operating errors, as well as online access to the statistics system for the use of each of those developed with the platform or its connection and compatibility with Database systems like MongoDB or MySQL .
Appcelerator has 3 monthly subscription modalities: Indie (for $ 39), Team (for $ 259 for teams), or Enterprise (with Premium technical support, with price on request).
AppMachine, the creation of apps for all audiences
We finish our first installment of app development platforms , both for mobile devices and for Windows 10 , with AppMachine , a very good option for all those who do not have advanced programming knowledge, but who want to take their first steps in noble art of creating personalized apps (we already know that everything is to start and lose your fear to go further and deeper). Thus, AppMachine , could be defined as a visual constructor of apps for beginners, an assistant organized by different categories of design, development, configuration, promotion, publication and analysis of metrics, with everything necessary to createsimple apps . AppMachine allows you to import data from a website, social networks or web services using Excel, XML or JSON files.
A development platform that can be accessed through a basic monthly subscription of $ 9 to create a website adapted to mobile devices, or $ 49 for the development of apps for iOS , Android and Windows Phone .
Native development or with open standards?
Undoubtedly, the million dollar question. It is evident that the development with the native programming language of iOS , Android or Windows Phone has its advantages, but it is equally true that the effort required to launch a multiplatform app is not acceptable for many companies and small developers, so the option to choose open web standards as some of the proposals included in this list, are the clear winner and the first option to start in the professional market (or out of curiosity) of app development .
Have you used any of these platforms? One, several? What has been your favorite and why?
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