If you are going to start a new cross-plattform App project, and you are not completely satisfied with your current solution, you are going to look for a new framework.
Requirements:
- Runs on your machine (Windows 8/10, OSX, Linux)
- Uses a language you can use (Java, JavaScript, C, C#, Objective C, …)
- Has a user interface that feels native
Many hybrid frameworks just embed a browser giving you a slight but noticeable delay to any user interaction. You dont want that. - Is not bug ridden (Maturity; has been around for some time and there are apps that proof it)
- Is future proof (big community and growing)
- Scales in case you are planning something bigger
- Hot (there is a lot talk about it)
Mobile Hybrid Cross-Plattform App Framework Comparison Chart
(thats a mouth full)
| Name | Type | OS | Language | Target Device | Hot | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Cordova / PhoneGap, PhoneGap Build | Web-based Builder | HTML, CSS, JavaScript | iOS, Android, Windows, tends to be slow | 7 | free / premium | |
| Appcelerator Titanium | Converter | JavaScript | iOS, Android, Windows | 5 | 39+$ / mo. | |
| Adobe AIR | Cross-OS runtime | HTML, JavaScript, Flash, Flex, ActionScript | 3 | |||
| Xamarin (MonoTouch) |
Converter | Windows, OSX | C# | 3 | 25+$/mo. | |
| Sencha Touch | Web-based | tends to be slow | 3 | |||
| Qt („Cute“) | Converter | QML (similar to CSS & JavaScript) | 3 | |||
| Ionic | Web-based, uses Cordova or Trigger.io | Windows (Visual Studio), OSX | HTML | Use a build service | 2 | |
| Mono / MonoSync | Converter | C, C++, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Phyton, ROR | Windows Phone, Linux Mobile, iOS, Symbian, iPad and Android | 2 | ||
| jQuery Mobile | Web-based | 2 |
In some Cases, when it comes to hybrid Apps, you will need to combine two technologies:
CSS/JavaScript framework for development
- jQuery Mobile
- Sencha Touch
- Ionic
Build framework for deployment and testing
- Apache Cordova / PhoneGap (free)
- Adobe PhoneGap Build (free / premium)
- Trigger.io ($49/m.)
If you have a Windows PC, and would like to make iPhone apps, your options are:
- Marmalade SDK
- Xamarin (needs Mac for build)
- PhoneGap (needs Mac for sign in and test)
- Hackintosh (licencing may be an issue)
- Remote mac service (macinacloud.com, xcodeclub.com, virtualmacosx.com)
- Flash CS 5?
- Appcelerator Titanium
