10 Popular Frameworks to Build First-Rate Mobile Apps

Mobile app development frameworks have become an essential part of app development cycle. Yet, there are many who are still unaware of their existence. To rescue them, here we have listed 10 most popular frameworks that can aid in building first-rate mobile apps.

10 Popular Frameworks to Build First-Rate Mobile Apps

  1. jQuery Mobile

jQueryMobile is one of the superlative mobile development framework that is leveraged to build cross-mobile-platform applications. Some of the key benefits of using jQueryMobile are as:

  • Supports several different platforms.
  • Comprises of optimized UIs for touch-enabled and mobile devices.

Its ability to support numerous platforms like desktop, tablet, smartphone and e-reader devices such as Kindle and Noor have made it one of the primary frameworks for building cross platform apps. Whilst, the optimized UIs has made it an ideal replacement of its sibling, jQuery UI.

  1. Cordova

Cordova, formerly known as PhoneGap, is a popular mobile app development framework that enables developers to create apps for mobile devices by using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, without the need to rely on platform-specific APIs.

But that’s not the sole benefit Cordova proffers. It also allows developers to:

  • Wrap up JavaScript, HTML and CSS code.
  • Use the features of JavaScript and HTML in order to connect with the device.

The resulting apps therefore are hybrid because neither they are purely native and nor truly web-based. Cordova supports wide ranging platforms including Android, iOS, Web OS, Windows and Blackberry.

  1. Ionic

Ionic is another framework that uses CSS3, JavaScript and HTML5 to build interactive hybrid apps. But, one can never call it a replacement of Cordova/PhoneGap. Since Ionic:

  • Focuses more on UI designs and interactions.
  • Comes with SASS and numerous extensions of AngularJS.
  • And several other components like tab bar, buttons, header, footer, toggle and more.

Most of all, if performance is what you are worried about, then Ionic is the framework you need.

  1. Appium

Appium is a classic framework that is used to automate mobile web, hybrid as well as native apps on Android and iOS platforms. The open-source tool is cross-platform and allows developers to:

  • Write tests for various platforms (Android & iOS) by using the same API.
  • Reuse same code for Android and iOS test suites.

  1. Mobile Angular UI

In contrast to Appium, Mobile Angular UI framework empower engineers to develop interactive HTML5 mobile applications by using of AngularJS and bootstrap3.

The key features of the framework include:

  • AngularJS
  • Bootstrap 3
  • AngularJS ships with modules like angular-touch, angular-animate and angular-route.
  • Bootstrap 3 boasts mobile components like overlays, sidebars and switches which normal bootstrap doesn’t offer.

Since responsive media queries are kept separate from the bootstrap in Mobile Angular UI therefore, developers have the freedom to use only what they require. Furthermore, lack of reliance on jQuery enables this framework to let developers create amazing mobile experiences by simply utilizing some AngularJS directives.

  1. Ratchet

Ratchet is an open-source project that develops apps with simple CSS, HTML and JS components. The tool was originally created by Twitter for in-house use to build the prototype of its mobile app, but later the social networking site made it available as an open source framework.

Ratchet made a mark for itself by offering numerous benefits to users like:

  • Decent collection of UIs and JavaScript plugins.
  • Reusable HTML classes.
  • While the latest version of Ratchet offers its own set of proprietary font icon along with two ready-made UI themes for Android and iOS.

  1. Sencha Touch

Sencha Touch is a HTML5 framework that supports multiple platforms including BlackBerry, Tizen, Android and iOS. Developers have been using this awesome framework for quite a few years now to build hybrid mobile apps.

  • Sencha Touch made a name for itself by building splendid UIs for web apps that gives native look and feel across all platforms it covers.
  • It also comes in real handy when developers are looking to create HTML5 apps quickly and easily for different platforms.

Using Sencha Touch isn’t a difficult task, but it takes a great deal of time if you are looking to bring out the best of it.

  1. Clank

This framework is used for prototyping native mobile apps. The highlight of the tool is provision of consistent UI without imitating any particular OS.

  • The component-based framework authorise developers to use and pick only the needed things.
  • The components include toggles, sliders, forms, buttons and lot more.

  1. Jo

Platforms like Chrome OS and Tizen are supported by this simple framework that enables developers of any level to understand Jo and start using it for styling apps. Thanks to its starter that is driven by CSS3. Besides this Jo also:

  • Offer lists, scrolling goodness and widgets using JavaScript.
  • Build native apps / web apps by using the same code.
  • Works effectively with Cordova / PhoneGap.

  1. Famo.us

What makes this framework different from the rest is its ability to abolish HTML5 performance related issues with its buoyant JavaScript engine.

  • Reports suggests that Famo.us will also introduce a cloud-based services that will sanction the developers to suit their apps so they can be published on the AppStore.
  • This infers that soon Sencha Touch and PhoneGap may see a new rival.

Related Articles:-

 

Related Posts

8 Best Free HealthCare Mobile Apps to Stay Fit

by | Nov 23, 2015 |

Mobile revolution has a profound impact on nearly every industry and healthcare sector is not an exception. Doctors are using mobile apps to be more efficient, whereas patients and others are adopting them to stay hale and hearty. Keeping this in view, here we have...