The Pros and Cons of Multiple Platform Mobile Apps

Building your mobile app on multiple platforms can be a great way to reach a wider audience. According to a recent survey by Statista, the two most popular platforms for mobile app development are Android and iOS, with 84.7% of all apps developed for Android and 14.9% for iOS.

But while building an app on multiple platforms should increase visibility, it also comes with its own set of challenges.

Pros of Multiple Apps

1. Wider Reach: By building your app on multiple platforms, you have the opportunity to reach a wider audience. With the increasing popularity of mobile devices, your app will have a higher chance of being seen and downloaded if it is available on multiple platforms.
2. Improved User Experience: Different platforms come with different user experiences, and by building your app on multiple platforms, you can improve the overall user experience by tailoring your app to the specific platform. This can lead to increased user engagement and satisfaction.
3. Increased Revenue: By making your app available on multiple platforms, you can increase your potential revenue. This is because you will have access to a larger audience, and people will be more likely to purchase your app if it is available on their preferred platform.

Cons of Multiple Apps

1. Increased Cost: Building the same app on multiple platforms, let’s say iOS and Android, is not only expensive but also requires constant moderation of the app development. It is highly possible that when your focus is diverted to multiple platforms, the app may not develop as you intended it to. Each platform requires a separate development process, and this can add up quickly. In addition, you may need to hire multiple developers or development teams to handle each platform, which can also increase your costs.
2. Different Development Requirements: Each platform has its own set of development requirements and guidelines, and it can be challenging to ensure that your app meets the requirements for each platform. This can lead to additional time and effort in the development process.
3. Maintenance Costs: Once your app is built on multiple platforms, you will need to maintain it on each platform. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process, and it can also lead to inconsistencies in the user experience across platforms. Mobile app support and maintenance services can take from 20% to even 50% of the initial cost of your project each year. According to several  major app development companies, maintenance of a mid-sized enterprise project costs from $5,000 to $11,000 per month. To get rid of legacy code and keep your software fresh, you may spend up to 50% of the annual cost of app maintenance.

Marketing Research and Target Audience

Before deciding to build your app on multiple platforms, it is important to conduct market research and identify your target audience. This is a great way to help you to determine which platforms your target audience uses and will allow you to make informed decisions about which platforms to build your app on.

Conclusion

Building mobile apps on multiple platforms can help businesses reach a wider audience and increase visibility. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, including increased costs, different development requirements, and maintenance costs. Before deciding to build your app on multiple platforms, you should consider a single-source solution.

Byrj is the only complete, single-source enterprise mobile app solution. No need to hire multiple developers, put up with maintenance costs or invest in tech stacks. With Bryj, you get a compelling app (whatever platforms you want) with all ongoing costs, maintenance, monitoring, security, and publishing included with your subscription. Plus, subscribers gain access to Bryj’s superior, built-in AI analytics and marketing tools for the ultimate in customer experience, retention, and growth. Contact us for more details.