Top Tools for Cross-Platform Mobile App Development in 2025

Today, businesses and developers want to build apps that work on multiple platforms, whether it is iOS, Android, or even the web. That is why they opt for cross-platform app development.

However, many tools have emerged, which makes choosing the best one for your needs difficult. In 2025, tools for cross-platform mobile app development have become better and more user-friendly.

Whether you are a business owner looking to build an app on a budget or a developer who wants to speed things up, we have created the best tools for cross-platform mobile app development that you can choose for your next project.

We will also highlight what makes them great and help you figure out which one is the best fit for your project. Let’s jump in and look at the tools that are changing how we build apps today.

What is Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

Cross-platform mobile app development is a method of building mobile applications that can run on multiple operating systems, like Android, iOS, and sometimes Windows or the web, using a single codebase.

Instead of writing separate code for each platform, developers use a single code that works across all of them. This approach is popular because it saves time, reduces development costs, and makes it easier to maintain the app.

Tools like Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin help developers create apps that look and feel almost like native apps, with good performance and smooth user experiences.

In short, cross-platform development allows businesses and developers to reach more users faster and with less effort than traditional native app development.

Importance of Choosing the Right Tool

In 2025, mobile apps have become essential business assets. So, when you are building an app that works on both Android and iOS, the cross-platform app development tool you use plays an important role. Here is why it is important to choose the right tool.

1. Impacts App Performance and User Satisfaction

No user likes a slow app. If your chosen tool doesn’t perform well, your app may lag, freeze, or crash, which may lead to users deleting your app without a second thought.

A good tool helps the app run fast and smoothly, just like a native app. It also handles animations and screen transitions better. This means users enjoy using your app, and that can lead to better reviews and downloads.

2. Saves Time and Reduces Costs

Another important aspect of choosing the right tool for cross-platform mobile app development is that it saves time and money. One of the main reasons people choose cross-platform tools is to build an app once and launch it on both platforms.

However, if your tool doesn’t support essential features, you might have to write separate custom code for each platform. This can take more time and increase your budget. The right tool will help reduce your workload and finish the app faster without fixing many issues later.

3. Enhances Developer Productivity

When it comes to developer experience, every tool is not created equally. Some tools can be used easily and come with good documentation, libraries, live reloading, and support, while others are confusing and time-consuming.

If your app developers are comfortable with the tool, they can work faster, make fewer mistakes, and enjoy the process. A good tool means your team will spend less time searching for solutions and more time building essential features.

4. Keeps Your App Ready for the Future

Technology moves fast. OS version changes, software gets updates, and users expect the latest features. If your tool isn’t updated regularly or poorly maintained, your app may stop working properly.

Choosing a cross-platform mobile app development tool that is well-supported and updates often helps your app stay compatible with new devices and software standards. This means fewer bugs and more happy users.

5. Supports Long-Term Scalability

Your app may start with a simple app, but what happens when your user base grows, or you want to add more features later? The right development tools will allow you to expand easily.

It should support modular codebases, online payments, push notifications, integration with third-party APIs, cloud services, and native modules. If your tool can’t handle increasing data loads, user sessions, and features, you may need to rebuild your app from scratch someday.

6. Affects UI/UX Consistency

Apps should feel familiar and responsive on both Android and iOS. Each platform has its own design style. For instance, Android users are used to Material Design, while iOS users expect Cupertino-style elements.

A good tool helps your app match the look and feel of each system so users feel comfortable using it.

Some tools use native components that adjust to each platform, while others use basic web views that can feel awkward. The better the design and flow, the more your users will enjoy using the app.

Top Cross-Platform App Development Tools

The main difference between an app that succeeds and one that struggles is the cross-platform app development tools you choose for app development.

Whether you are a startup, a big company, or a solo developer, using the right tech stack can help your app run well on both iOS and Android, reduce development time, and save you money.

Here are the cross-platform tools you can use this year for your cross-platform app development.

1. Flutter 4.0

Flutter 4.0, the latest version of Google’s UI toolkit, is a popular tool that allows developers to build mobile apps for Android and iOS using a single codebase. This means less time coding and more time to perfect the user experience.

It is especially great for creating smooth, eye-catching interfaces that look and feel like native apps. Flutter 4.0 brings better performance, smoother animations, and stronger support for the latest Material Design 3 style.

One of its most loved features is "hot reload," which lets developers see code changes instantly, making the building process much faster.

For UK startups and developers who want beautiful, high-performance apps without spending too much time or money, Flutter 4.0 is a strong and trusted option.

Key Features

🔘Hot Reload

🔘Expressive UI

🔘Native Performance

🔘Built-in Widgets

🔘Material and Cupertino Support

Mobile App Examples: Google Ads, eBay Motors, Alibaba.

Recommended Reads: Top 10+ Flutter App Development Companies In UK

2. React Native

Another best tool for cross-platform app development in 2025 is React Native. It is still a top choice for many developers, especially those with a background in web development using JavaScript and React.

In 2025, this tool will offer faster performance and smoother app experiences on both Android and iOS. React Native doesn’t turn code into native apps the same way Flutter does.

Instead, it uses a bridge to connect JavaScript with native components, giving you close-to-native performance with more flexibility.

Its best advantage is that teams can reuse the existing web code, which saves time and effort. It is flexible, fast, and ideal for companies looking to save time while still offering a high-quality experience for users on both platforms.

Key Features

🔘Reusable Components

🔘Hot Reloading

🔘Strong Community

🔘Access to Native APIs

🔘Efficient Development Cycle

Mobile App Examples: Facebook, Instagram, Bloomberg.

Also Read: How Much Does React Native App Development Cost in the UK

3. Xamarin (.NET MAUI)

Xamarin, now known as .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI), is Microsoft’s answer to cross-platform app development. It allows developers to use C# and .NET to create apps that work on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

For UK companies already using Microsoft tools like Azure or Visual Studio, it is a smart and convenient choice. .NET MAUI helps developers write one codebase and manage everything in one place, which makes it easier to update and scale as the app grows.

Key Features

🔘.NET Integration

🔘Native performance

🔘Single codebase for Android/iOS/Windows/macOS

🔘Strong Debugging Tools

Mobile App Examples: BBC Good Food, Olo, Alaska Airlines.

4. Ionic

Ionic is also one of the best tools for cross-platform mobile app development. It is the top choice for developers looking to build a hybrid mobile application using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

It also works with popular frontend frameworks like Angular, React, or even plain JavaScript, giving developers flexibility. It is often used to create mobile apps and progressive web apps that look good and work well across different devices.

UK developers like Ionic because it is fast to learn and makes responsive apps without needing to know native coding. With the addition of Capacitor, Ionic now offers better access to native device features and improved performance.

It is especially popular among startups and agencies looking to launch mobile apps on a budget and tight timeline.

Key Features

🔘Web Technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

🔘Built-in UI Components

🔘PWA Support

🔘Easy Integration with Capacitor and Cordova

Mobile App Examples: Sworkit, JustWatch, Diesel.

5. Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM)

Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) is best for developers who already use Kotlin, especially for Android app development. KMM lets them share core logic between Android and iOS while still writing custom code where needed.

However, it still builds the user interface separately for each platform. This means apps keep the native look and feel users expect while saving time by avoiding code duplication.

It is helpful for UK businesses in industries like banking or healthcare that need secure, high-performance apps. Since Kotlin is supported by Google and JetBrains, the tools and documentation are excellent.

Key Features

🔘Shared Business Logic

🔘Native UI

🔘Multiplatform Support

🔘Smooth Android Integration

Mobile App Examples: Philips HealthSuite, Careem, Cash App.

6. PhoneGap (Apache Cordova)

PhoneGap, also known by its open-source name Apache Cordova, was one of the first tools to let developers turn websites into mobile apps.

Although it is no longer actively maintained for modern use, many UK companies with legacy apps use this cross-platform mobile app development tool to offer web-based mobile experiences.

It wraps web code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) into a native container, which makes it easy and quick to convert web apps into mobile apps without much extra effort.

It is not as fast or modern as other options, but it can be helpful if you want to build simple cross-platform apps or maintain existing ones without starting from scratch. It still has its niche, particularly for quick prototypes or keeping legacy apps running.

Key Features

🔘Open-Source

🔘Plugin Architecture

🔘Easy Web-to-App Conversion

🔘Rapid Prototyping

Mobile App Examples: Wikipedia app (earlier versions), Untappd, FanReact.

7. Qt

Another on the list of top tools for cross-platform mobile app development is Qt. Qt is a powerful C++ framework known for its strong cross-platform support, not just for mobile apps but also for desktop and embedded systems.

It is a long-time favourite in UK industries where performance and reliability are essential. It supports both 2D and 3D rendering, which is perfect for real-time dashboards, visualisation tools, or any app that needs detailed graphics.

Qt allows developers to create complex, high-quality interfaces that work the same across different platforms. It is not the easiest to learn, but for expert developers, it is a solid and flexible choice. It also offers versatility and efficiency.

Key Features

🔘C++ Foundation

🔘Cross-Platform GUI Support

🔘Strong Community

🔘2D/3D Graphics

🔘Embedded system compatibility

Mobile App Examples: V-Play Apps, Mercedes-Benz apps, Stellantis Uconnect.

8. Unity

Unity is mainly known for game app development, but it has also become a go-to tool for building mobile apps that use augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and interactive content in the UK.

This cross-platform tool is used to create impressive 2D and 3D visuals that work smoothly across multiple platforms. In the UK, it is used in education, property, and entertainment apps where visuals are the most essential.

Developers use C# to build apps in Unity, and the user-friendly editor makes it easy to design and test ideas. If your app needs to be immersive or game-like, Unity is a strong choice.

Whether you are creating a virtual museum tour, a training simulation, or an AR retail app, Unity gives you the tools to build something visually rich, interactive, and engaging.

Key Features

🔘Real-time Rendering

🔘AR/VR Support

🔘Asset Store

🔘Cross-platform Deployment

🔘Strong animation tools

Mobile App Examples: Pokémon GO, Monument Valley 2, IKEA Place.

9. NativeScript

If you want to use JavaScript or TypeScript to build apps that behave like native ones, you can consider using NativeScript.

Unlike hybrid frameworks that rely on WebViews, it doesn’t depend on Web Views; instead, it directly connects to native APIs, which means better speed and performance.

This tool is a good fit for UK teams that want to build cross-platform apps with access to native APIs and features and don’t want to learn completely new languages.

NativeScript also works with popular frameworks like Angular and Vue, making it easier to learn for web developers. Thanks to its flexible setup, many businesses use NativeScript to build high-performance apps without needing separate teams for Android and iOS.

For teams that want both speed and control, NativeScript offers a great middle ground. You get the benefits of shared code, full access to native features, and a great user experience all in one toolkit.

Key Features

🔘Native API access

🔘JavaScript-based

🔘Performance-focused

🔘Strong plugin ecosystem

🔘Supports Angular/Vue

Mobile App Examples: Strudel, Daily Nanny, Regelneef.

10. MobiLoud

MobiLoud is a niche but effective platform for turning WordPress websites into fully functioning mobile apps. It is useful for UK bloggers, news sites, and e-commerce stores that want an app version of their site.

It is a no-code or low-code solution, meaning you don’t need to be a developer to get your app live. MobiLoud handles most of the technical work, including push notifications and app store submissions.

If you already manage your content in WordPress and want a fast, affordable way to launch a mobile app, MobiLoud is your best solution. It lets businesses keep using WordPress as usual while reaching mobile users in a more engaging way.

Key Features

🔘WordPress Integration

🔘No-code/low-code

🔘Native features

🔘Push notifications

🔘White-label options

Mobile App Examples: Business Insider, Foreign Policy, Simple Flying.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cross-Platform Tool

You know the top tools for cross-platform mobile app development, but how can you choose the one that works best for you? Here are the key factors to consider when you are going to choose a cross-platform tool.

1. App Performance and Speed

First, you have to determine how fast and smooth you want your app to be. If your app will have animations, real-time updates, or high user interaction, you will need a tool that offers near-native performance.

Tools like Flutter and .NET MAUI are the best tools here. On the other hand, if your app is mostly content-based or a basic service, simpler tools like Ionic can be enough.

2. Native Features Access

If your app needs access to native features like GPS, camera, fingerprint login, or background services, you need to carefully consider the tool you want because not every cross-platform tool gives you the same level of access to native APIs.

Some tools give you full access to native device features, while others might require extra plugins. The easier it is to connect with native functions, the smoother your app will run on both Android and iOS.

3. Developer Skills and Tech Stack Compatibility

Another factor you have to consider is the developer's skills and tech stack compatibility. Choosing a tool your team already knows and has worked with is always best.

If you have a team experienced in JavaScript, going with React Native makes sense. If they are working in C# or .NET, then Xamarin or MAUI might be a better choice. This saves training time and speeds up development.

4. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Flexibility

The app's design should be easy for users and should meet their preferences for an appealing and customised interface. Tools like Flutter give you a lot of control to create stunning, flexible designs.

If your design isn’t too complex, tools like Ionic or MobiLoud might be quicker to use. Also, decide how much UI control you need before choosing your tool.

5. Community Support and Documentation

There is a possibility that your developers can face various roadblocks, no matter how experienced they are. Therefore, you need to consider another factor, that is, community support.

A tool with a large developer community is a big plus. It means you can find help, tutorials, and updates more easily.

Popular tools like Flutter, React Native, and Ionic have great communities behind them, so you are not left in the dark if you run into a problem.  This makes it easier to find solutions, plugins, or even freelancers in the UK if you need extra help.

6. Maintenance, Updates, and Scalability

If you want your app to have regular updates or grow with more features, which is almost the ultimate goal of most businesses, you need to choose a tool that is easy to maintain, scalable, and supported for the long haul.

Well-structured tools make adding new features, fixing bugs, or releasing updates easier as your business grows.

7. Platform Support

Are you only targeting Android and iOS? Or will you eventually expand to the web, desktop, or wearables? Some tools like Flutter and Xamarin support building for multiple platforms from one codebase.

If you plan to expand your app’s reach later on, opt for a tool that offers wide platform support from the start.

8. Cost and Licensing

Whether you are a new startup or a small business, you need to budget effectively when it comes to choosing a cross-platform mobile app development tool.

Many tools are open-source and free to use, but others may come with hidden costs, such as enterprise licences, third-party services, or premium plugins.

Make sure to check all hidden costs, as well as the cost of development, testing, updates, and third-party services.

9. Integration with Existing Systems

If your app needs to integrate with existing systems, like CRM software, payment gateways, or an existing database, you will need a tool that plays well with APIs and backend services. Some tools are better than others at managing data flow between the app and external systems.

10. Future Updates and Support

You will also not want to build your app on a tool that becomes outdated or unsupported. That is why choose a tool that is maintained and backed by a reliable company or an active-source team.

This ensures it will stay updated with the latest tech, operating systems, and security needs. Avoid tools that are no longer being maintained or are outdated.

Why Choose Arramton to Develop Your Cross-Platform App?

At Arramton, we understand that every business has different needs and budgets. That is why we offer cross-platform app development services using cross-platform tools like Flutter, React Native, and more to give your users the best experience when they use your app.

We focus on building cross-platform mobile apps that work smoothly on both Android and iOS using one shared codebase. This means faster development, lower costs, and quicker time to market.

Our team takes the time to understand your business needs and creates apps that look good and perform well. From the first idea to the final launch, and even after that, we make sure everything runs perfectly.

Arramton doesn’t just build apps but provides solutions that match your goals, budgets, and vision. For us, your app isn’t another project, as we ensure to turn your app idea into a successful digital product.

Bottom Line

The tool you choose for cross-platform mobile app development in 2025 will make a difference in how well your app performs, how fast it reaches users, and how efficiently you manage your development costs.

The list of the top tools we have created can help you choose the one that meets your needs, and each of them has its own pros and ideal use cases. However, you need to understand your app’s particular needs and pick the platform that offers the best performance and flexibility.

As mobile technology keeps moving forward, these tools are becoming better and more helpful, giving developers better ways to create high-quality apps for all devices.

If you want expert guidance and full-cycle development support for building your cross-platform app, you can get in touch with Arramton to enjoy the best development experience and also offer an excellent experience to your users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Why should I use cross-platform tools instead of native development?

Ans If your goal is to reach a wider audience faster and in a cost-effective way, cross-platform tools are a great choice. They let you launch on multiple platforms using a single code and reduce the time spent writing and maintaining different versions of the same app.

Q2 Are cross-platform apps slower than native apps?

Ans In the past, cross-platform apps were sometimes slower or less smooth than native apps. But in 2025, most tools offer near-native performance thanks to improved frameworks and hardware support. For most use cases, users won’t even notice a difference.

Q3 Which cross-platform tool is best for beginners?

Ans Flutter and React Native are two of the most beginner-friendly tools. They have large communities, plenty of tutorials, and many reusable components. Flutter is especially great if you are aiming for beautiful, custom user interfaces.

Q4 Can I update my cross-platform app easily after launch?

Ans Yes, one of the biggest benefits of cross-platform tools is the ability to make updates quickly. Most frameworks support hot reload or similar features, so you can push changes faster without rebuilding the app from scratch.

Q5 Is it safe to build business apps using cross-platform tools?

Ans Yes, cross-platform tools in 2025 are highly secure and reliable for business apps. Many of them offer built-in security features like data encryption, secure authentication, and regular updates. As long as you follow best practices during development, your app can be just as safe as a native one.