5 Most Popular Frameworks for Mobile Development

8 min readMar 2, 2017

Mobile app development is currently at its peak, with a lot of developers jumping on the bandwagon to cash in on this lucrative field. However, the major problem that developers face across streams, is the different programming languages and operating systems.

Depending on the operating system that is selected, the developer would then create the app using a corresponding language. At the end of this road, the developer or the company is left with is a copy of their app written in two or more different languages. This was the norm, until frameworks become an important part of development.

If a developer with knowledge of HTML, JavaScript and CSS, wants to create a mobile app for both Android and iOS, they can now do so by simply using one of the many different frameworks available online. All you need is to code your app using the languages you are comfortable with and the framework will render a hybrid version of your app that works across multiple platforms.

Creating a web app has never been easier with these amazing frameworks. So, if you are ready to bring your dream app to life, then here are 5 amazing and popular frameworks that you can use. If you want to learn all of these amazing frameworks, in theory and in practical, you can check out Eduonix’s upcoming Mobile Frameworks Course on Kickstarter.

1. Cordova/PhoneGap

Designed by Adobe, PhoneGap is a combination that not only allows developers to create their apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but also package the app, make it portable and release it to multiple app stores. It can also extend the features of HTML and JavaScript, to create apps with a Native look and feel.

Cordova provides a set of JavaScript APIs that allow the apps to use native functions such as Camera, Compass, Contacts, and Geolocation. And it supports multiple operating systems such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Web OS, Blackberry, etc.

Benefits of Cordova/Phone Gap: -

Fast: The strong and robust back-end ensures that the apps created are super fast and do not have any lang.
Cheap: Since, Cordova is open source, this means that you don’t have to pay any money to download and run the software.
Flexible: PhoneGap eliminates the need for multiple languages, allowing developers with even limited knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build some pretty amazing languages.
Cross-platform compatibility: PhoneGap is compatible with multiple operating systems including iOS, Android, Windows, etc.
Native Hardware: It allows access to native hardware components, which means that the apps run with a native look and feel.
Built-in Compiler: In addition to creating the apps, PhoneGap also comes with a built-in compiler, which takes the pain out of separate compiling.
Collaboration: Similar to GitHub, PhoneGap now allows developers to share their coding and get help from other other developers.

2. Ionic/Ionic 2

Ionic is one of the most popular hybrid frameworks that is currently on the market. Built using SASS, the framework is a great option to build high-performance interactive apps. It uses the JavaScript MVVM framework and AngularJS, which power the framework, making it faster and better than the other frameworks on the list.

The best part about Ionic is that it provides all the functionality that can be found in native mobile development SDKs, which means that when users build their apps on Ionic, they can access all the native functions of the device, including camera, contacts, etc. Additionally, by using Angular, Ionic provides custom components and methods for interacting with them.

Along with SDKs, Ionic also provides a powerful CLI, that not only creates a project with a simple command, but also allows developers to add Cordova plugins and addition packages that enable push notifications, generate app Icons and Splash screens, and build native binaries.

Benefits of Ionic/Ionic 2: -

Free: Ionic is an open source project under MIT and has been designed by a worldwide community.
Fully Cross-Platform: Ionic follows the write once, run anywhere philosophy, which means that apps written on Ionic can be run on multiple operating systems including iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry.
Premier Native Plugins: Ionic offers over 120 native device features that can be used within your app.
Performance: Ionic places a special focus on performance, by leveraging hardware and requires no additional third party JS applications.
Native and web optimized: Emulates native app UI guidelines and uses native SDKs, combining the UI standards and device features of native apps together with the full power and flexibility of the open web.

3. jQuery Mobile

Building on the already popular extension to JavaScript, it was no surprise when jQuery was also included for mobile development. Owing to its simplicity, jQuery Mobile is a great mobile framework to create cross-platform apps for platforms such as regular desktop, smart phone, tablet, or an e-reader device like Nook or Kindle.

Built on top of solid jQueyr and jQuery UI foundation, jQuery Mobile is a great framework to develop apps, mobile and web, to run seamlessly with unique user experience across mobiles, tablets and desktops. Rather than focus on providing the native look, jQuery focuses on performance.

Benefits of jQuery Mobile: -

Cross-Platform and Cross-Device: With a focus on ‘write-less, do more’ mantra, jQuery is not only a great framework for creating apps on multiple operating systems, but also for multiple devices including smartphones, desktops, tablets, etc.
Easy to Learn: If you already know jQuery and JavaScript, you don’t have to learn any new syntax.
ThemeRoller: jQuery is designed as a theming framework, which allows developers to create customized themes for their apps.
Download Builder: jQuery’s download builder allows building a custom bundle that contains only the components that are needed. The builder also generates a custom JavaScript file and full and structure-only stylesheets for production use.
Layout Grid: jQuery’s layout grids make it easy to create client’s product page, result page, and other custom pages.

4. React Native

React Native separates itself from the rest of the frameworks on the list by shifting its focus from creating hybrid apps to creating actual real native apps. React Native was designed on the heels of React, by Facebook and it stemmed from their Ads Manager app.

React Native comes with fast development cycles and declarative self-contained UI components, while retaining the speed and feel of native apps. The application logic is written and run in JavaScript, while the UI is fully native. This offers developers a chance to maintain the native look and feel of the app, without having to use traditional languages.

Benefits of React Native: -

Parallelize Work: Facebook’s Async display kit allows rendering off the main thread, which results in super smooth animations.
Declarative Style: The codes can now be written in a declarative format, which means the codes are now readable, flexible and not manipulative.
Sophisticated Gesture Handling: Reactive Native allows access to native gesture functionality, so it results in better gestures on the app.
Native Capabilities: Allows access to platform specific capabilities and components, including widgets.
Faster Iterations: React Native allows Hot Reloading and Live Reloading, reducing feedback loop and also offers over-the-air code updates to your app.
Cross-Platform: An app can be designed across multiple platforms, mainly iOS and Android.

5. Meteor

Meteor is an amazing open-source JavaScript web framework that is written using Node.JS. It simplifies the process of developing apps by allowing rapid prototyping and producing cross-platform code.

A full JavaScript, Meteor is made up of a collection of libraries and packages that are bound together, making it easier, flexible, faster and it requires it less codes. This also results in the codes being less buggy and of a higher quality.

Benefits of Meteor: -

Fast: Using JavaScript for front-end and back-end development, creating apps using Meteor is simple and easy. It also allows you to ship more with less code, reducing the lines of code required for building apps.
One Language Development: For JavaScript lovers, this a great advantage. No more multiple languages for front-end and back-end development.
Easy to Learn: If the developer already knows JavaScript, then they don’t have to learn anything new. However, if they don’t, then JavaScript is a pretty easy language to learn.
Real-time Applications: Real-time is built in Meteor’s core, which means developers get to produce real-time apps right out of the box.
Packages: Already built smart packages to simplify coding and make building faster, for items such as User accounts, Javascript libraries, Extras like Bootstrap or Stylus, and more.

These days building an app is no longer a long and tedious task that takes months of development and testing. Apps can be ready in as little as a few weeks and maybe days, if you are determined enough. Frameworks play a huge part in helping you build your apps in the easiest and the fastest manner, while allowing your apps to look and work like a professional one.

Today, there is no possible way for you to avoid using mobile frameworks and having these frameworks on hand are a great way to not only boost your knowledge and experience but also your paycheck.

Here’s a great way for you to master these amazing frameworks. Eduonix’s upcoming course will not only help you learn the theory behind each framework, but you will also get your hands on the actual development process by learning how to build 25 different apps from scratch. That’s not all, you get to keep all the apps and variations of the apps you build!

So, how can you get your hands on this course? Well, we still need your help to bring this course to life. All you need to is go to Eduonix’s Kickstarter Campaign Page and pledge your support. Your small support ensures that a lot of developers can learn how mobile development frameworks can change their careers.