Mobile App Developer : Choosing Your Career

Mobile App Developer : Choosing Your Career
January 30, 2025 No Comments Research And News Pushpendra Kumar

As a mobile app developer with 14 years of experience, I’ve seen countless developers, both seasoned and fresh, struggle with a critical decision: Should I specialize in Cross-Platform or Native mobile app development?

This is a question that often causes frustration, confusion, and sometimes even regret. After all, it’s not just about learning a new technology—it’s about shaping your career and future. The decision feels monumental, but here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In this article, I’m going to break down both sides of the argument and share my personal insights to help you make an informed choice.

Understanding Cross-Platform Development For Mobile App Developer

Mobile app developer: If you’re someone who enjoys flexibility and speed, cross-platform development might seem like the perfect fit. The idea of writing code once and deploying it across multiple platforms like iOS and Android is incredibly appealing, especially when you’re working with tight deadlines and limited resources.

In my 14 years of experience, I’ve seen the rise of frameworks like FlutterReact Native, and Xamarin that have made cross-platform development not only possible but efficient. These frameworks offer a single codebase for both iOS and Android, which means faster development cycles and lower costs for businesses.

However, there’s a trade-off. Cross-platform apps might not always perform as well as native apps, especially when it comes to complex animations or heavy use of device hardware. But for many businesses, the speed and cost-effectiveness outweigh the performance trade-off.

Native Development: The Specialized Expertise For Mobile App Developer

On the other hand, native mobile app development offers unmatched performance and seamless user experience. As a mobile app developer working with native technologies like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, you have the ability to tap into the full power of each platform.

But here’s the catch: native development requires more time, effort, and expertise. Unlike cross-platform, where you can reuse most of the code, native development demands that you write platform-specific code for each operating system. This means more work and higher costs, but also the potential for higher-quality apps that truly leverage the capabilities of the platform.

As a developer, native development allows you to create apps that perform at their best, with smoother animations and more direct access to device features. But this also means that as a mobile app developer, you need to be highly specialized in both platforms (iOS and Android), which can be a challenge if you’re just starting out.

My Journey as a Mobile App Developer: From Android to Cross-Platform

I started my career as an Android Developer, not fully aware that I was about to dive into the world of mobile app development. In 2014, during my interview, they asked me about Java, and that’s when I first realized the importance of learning the language. I joined the company as a Junior Developer for Java, but little did I know that my journey would take a different turn.

The First Step: Diving into Cross-Platform with Ionic

Soon after joining, I was assigned my first project—an Ionic platform-based mobile app. I had no clue how to build an APK file for testing or how to install it on a device. But I was hungry to learn. This drive to expand my knowledge helped me grasp the fundamentals of cross-platform development. I built my first mobile app without even realizing how much I was learning along the way.

Native Development: My First Android App

The next project I received was for Android Native Development. At that time, Java was the only language for developing Android apps. It was a big leap from cross-platform development, but I enjoyed the challenge. I immersed myself in Java, and it felt like a natural progression. There was a sense of accomplishment in seeing my app run seamlessly on Android devices.

The Luck Factor: Developing iOS Apps with Swift

In 2015, I got lucky again. As the only mobile app developer in the company, I was given the opportunity to develop an iOS app using Swift and Storyboards. This was a whole new world for me. I had never worked with iOS before, but my passion for learning drove me to quickly adapt to this new environment. It was a game-changer.

A Diverse Portfolio: Over 100 Apps, and Unity Game Development

Since then, I’ve developed over 100 mobile apps, both for Android and iOS. But I didn’t stop there. I ventured into Unity game development and created skill-based games like Rummy and Ludo. To complete these games, I learned Smartfoxand Photon Server for multiplayer functionalities. Every project taught me something new, and I constantly pushed myself to learn more.

From Developer to Manager: Leading Diverse Teams

My journey didn’t end with coding. I eventually transitioned into management, where I led teams with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of expertise. Managing a team of developers, designers, and testers has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. It has allowed me to broaden my skill set beyond just coding. I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of the bigger picture, including project management and team dynamics.

Cross-Platform Development: The Cons

As I’ve worked with both cross-platform and native development, I’ve seen the strengths and weaknesses of each. Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter and React Native offer a lot of flexibility, but they come with performance trade-offs. Despite all the advancements, cross-platform development still struggles with certain performance issues. This is especially true when it comes to handling complex animations and accessing device-specific features. Even some of the biggest companies in the world are still trying to figure out how to beat these performance issues in cross-platform apps. While the technology is improving, it’s still not perfect.

Native Development: The Pros

On the other hand, native development—whether for Android or iOS—provides unparalleled performance. You have complete control over the app’s functionality and can optimize it for each platform. Native apps tend to offer a smoother user experience, especially when it comes to heavy use of device hardware or complex tasks. But, as with anything, it comes at a cost. Native development requires more time, effort, and resources, and the code is platform-specific, which means more work in the long run.

The Truth: Cross-Platform’s Rise and the Salary Reality for Mobile app developer

Now, here’s the truth: cross-platform development has seen tremendous growth, especially with frameworks like Flutter and React Native. These technologies make app maintenance cheaper and faster, and businesses love them for that reason. As a mobile app developer, if you’re looking for a steady salary, cross-platform development is the way to go. It’s a great option for developers who want to work on multiple platforms without learning each one in-depth.

However, while cross-platform development may offer job opportunities, the salary tends to be average compared to native development. Native developers, with their deep expertise in platform-specific languages like Swift and Kotlin, are often paid more due to the complexity and performance requirements of native apps.

The Pain of Choosing the Right Path for Mobile app developer

I’ve spoken to so many mobile app developers who feel stuck between these two paths. Some are frustrated because they chose cross-platform development but now feel like they’re missing out on the depth of native development. Others are overwhelmed by the complexity of native development and wonder if they should have chosen the simpler route.

The truth is, both paths have their own set of challenges, but also their rewards. You can’t go wrong as long as you remain committed to learning and adapting. In my 14 years in the industry, I’ve seen both cross-platform and native developers build amazing careers—what matters most is your passion for what you do.

The Key to Success: Keep Learning, Keep Evolving

As a mobile app developer, the most important thing is to keep evolving. Whether you choose cross-platform or native development, the technology is constantly changing. In my own journey, I’ve had to adapt and learn new tools, frameworks, and languages to stay ahead of the curve.

If you’re just starting out, my advice is to get your hands dirty with both approaches. Build a few small apps in both native and cross-platform development. This will give you a better understanding of what suits you and where your interests lie.

And remember, the world of mobile development is vast. You don’t have to limit yourself to one path. There’s always room to grow and expand your skill set.

Conclusion: The Path You Choose

After 14 years in the industry, I’ve come to realize that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both cross-platform and native development have their place in the mobile app development world. The choice ultimately depends on your interests, the type of projects you want to work on, and your career goals.

For those starting their journey, cross-platform development offers a quicker path to creating apps for both Android and iOS. But if you’re passionate about diving deep into the specifics of each platform and creating high-performance apps, native development is the way to go.

Remember, there’s no wrong choice—just the one that fits you best. Keep learning, keep evolving, and the path will become clearer as you grow.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln

As a mobile app developer, you have the power to shape your career and the future of mobile technology. Keep learning, keep experimenting, and the right path will reveal itself.

To explore how mobile apps can drive your business forward, take a look at our expert services in Android Developmentand iOS Development. By doing so, you’ll discover how our team specializes in creating high-performance, user-friendly apps tailored to meet your specific business needs. Moreover, staying updated with the latest trends and insights is crucial in today’s fast-paced tech world. Therefore, we invite you to visit our Research and News section for valuable resources and information that will help you stay ahead of the curve.

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About The Author
Pushpendra Kumar I am passionate about mobile application development and professional developer at Colour Moon Technologies Pvt Ltd (www.thecolourmoon.com). This website I have made so that I can meet with new challenges and can share here.

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