1. Xamarin Vs. NativeScript: Which One Is
The Ideal Cross-Platform Framework For
Your Project?

2. Table of Contents
● 1) About Xamarin
● 2) About NativeScript
● 3) The advantages and disadvantages
○ Advantages of Xamarin
○ Disadvantages of Xamarin
○ Advantages of NativeScript
○ Disadvantages of NativeScript
● 4) 1. Performance standards
○ Performance of Xamarin
○ Performance of NativeScript
● 5) 2. The architectures supported
○ The architectures supported by Xamarin
○ The architectures supported by NativeScript
● 6) 3. Building complex apps
○ Building complex apps on Xamarin
○ Building complex apps on NativeScript
● 7) To conclude

3. Introduction
When it’s about delivering native experiences through mobile apps, experts always suggest using Xamarin or
NativeScript. Both frameworks are superb in every aspect. Then again, two frameworks may look similar, but they usually
have different things to offer via multiple parameters.
Today, everyone wants to adhere to the mobile-first approach, whether government agencies or private sectors. Through
this approach, they’ll be able to streamline business objectives, develop agile processes, acquire client feedback, and
implement complex functions.
Business firms are now more capable than ever in delivering heartwarming customer experiences via mobile
applications. It has been possible simply because of the constant evolution of the various app development frameworks
available these days.
Additionally, software development agencies have become much more proficient in delivering incredible experiences via
mobile solutions. App development frameworks form the foundation of providing the best UX.
Now, you’re wondering why you need to go through this write-up when you’re ready to hire xamarin app developers
from a trusted app development agency.
Well, Xamarin isn’t the only cross-platform framework that deserves your attention. NativeScript is equally powerful, and
you need to contemplate the differences between the two to find out which is more effective for your project.
Xamarin is a platform used by developers from all four corners of the world. It extends the boundaries of the
functionality of a .NET developer platform.
NativeScript, on the other hand, is equally trustworthy and extensible. It’s also quite easy for new developers to learn
and master.
Both frameworks facilitate cross-platform development and allow developers to create native UIs. However, NativeScript
works with TypeScript, Angular, JavaScript, or Vue and Xamarin needs .NET and C#.

4. About Xamarin
You probably know a thing or two about Xamarin. It’s a well-renowned cross-platform framework suitable for developing
high-performance apps with native-like features. It started its journey in 2011, but in 2016, Microsoft acquired Xamarin. Soon after
that, the SDK of the framework became open-source and is now available to everyone for free.
1. At the moment, more than 15,000 apps created using the Xamarin framework are circling the internet. All these apps account
for more than 2 billion downloads.
2. Around 14% of all developers across the world use Xamarin to build cross-platform applications.
3. Xamarin holds a market share of 1.74% with the highest share in the sphere of business apps amounting to 6.23%.
About NativeScript
NativeScript is another open-source app development framework that lets developers build cross-platform mobile solutions for
Android and iOS devices using JavaScript. It can transpile two programming languages and facilitates building native apps using
TypeScript, Angular, and Vue.js.
1. According to researchers from Statista, 5% to 11% of all developers resort to NativeScript for cross-platform app development.
2. About 28% of all developers are using NativeScript dedicatedly for more than a year for different cross-platform app
development projects.
3. NativeScript downloads increased significantly between 2019 and 2020 and amounted to more than 812,575.
The advantages and disadvantages
Before you choose to work with xamarin app developers or NativeScript experts, you should take a look at the pros and cons of both
frameworks for a clearer picture.

5. Advantages of Xamarin
● Development speed
Xamarin brings down the development time as it utilizes just one tech stack combined with a shareable codebase. Developers simply need to introduce a few
simple changes to publish their apps on various platforms.
● Native-style UX
Xamarin uses native toolkits and APIs to achieve native design and performance standards. As it leverages the APIs associated with the system and hardware,
it’s almost impossible to separate a native app from something designed using Xamarin.
● One tech stack
Xamarin allows developers to create applications for several mobile platforms using just one language. They won’t have to switch between environments as
they can do everything in Microsoft Visual Studio.
Disadvantages of Xamarin
● Increases app size
Whenever a developer builds an app using Xamarin, they unwillingly add 3 to 5 MBs for releasing it. After debugging, this app can increase by 20 MBs.
● Doesn’t support high graphics
Another problem with Xamarin is that it doesn’t allow developers to include rich graphical animations and other elements. Naturally, it isn’t suitable for
building games or other graphically demanding applications.
● Update delays
It takes about 1 to 3 days to update the latest Android and iOS releases and integrate the same into the framework’s ecosystem.

6. Advantages of NativeScript
● Compatible with cross-platform tech
NativeScript utilizes TypeScript, Angular, or JavaScript, which, in turn, allows easy data binding and better component
reusability.
● Programming languages
NativeScript utilizes an XML-Esque-based markup language, just like HTML, to develop apps powered by customized
features.
● Native functions
NativeScript accesses the API of native devices through native components developed using native performance.
Disadvantages of NativeScript
● Limitations with the UI
NativeScript doesn’t widely support HTML and DOM. As a result, developers have to learn the method of using different
components of the UI.

7. ● Native knowledge
Developers have to be aware of the native functionality of Android and iOS APIs. Only then they’ll be able to access the device’s hardware and all other
platform-specific elements.
● Non-verified plugins
NativeScript has only a handful of verified plugins. Naturally, there won’t be any assurance regarding the plugin quality used in this framework.
1. Performance standards
Now that the advantage-disadvantage section is over, it’s time for you to take a look at the performance standards of both frameworks.
Performance of Xamarin
Based on the results of a series of tests conducted on Xamarin to determine its performance, experts found significant differences in two of the prevalent
environments of the framework. These include Xamarin Native and Xamarin.Forms.
● Xamarin.Forms
This one presents about 90% code reusability, but in terms of app performance, it lags behind its counterparts. Apps built using Xamarin.Forms couldn’t
perform as efficiently as native applications, even the most common functions of mobile apps, such as processing API requests, booting, image
loading/saving, and serialization/deserialization.
Also Read : What Makes Xamarin The Best Choice For Multiplatform App Development?
● Xamarin Native
When the developers of a xamarin app development company like Moon Technolabs use Xamarin Native, they yield something comparable with native
apps regarding performance. In specific instances, such as SQL BulkInsert, Xamarin.Android performs better than native solutions.

8. Performance of NativeScript
The performance standard of NativeScript was never too high or too low. It stands at par with most of the cross-platform
frameworks of today. Animations created using NativeScript perform perfectly at 60 FPS without any hitches. Additionally,
NativeScript can offload specific long-running processes to keep the front-end balanced.
1. The architectures supported
Selecting a framework without learning about the supported architectures can lead to a host of problems. This section will tell
you about the architectures supported by NativeScript and Xamarin.
The architectures supported by Xamarin
The environment of Xamarin lets it support several architectural patterns. Unlike most of the other frameworks, Xamarin
doesn’t have any limitations regarding architecture. Then again, a few patterns are usually more useful compared to others.
The architectures supported by NativeScript
Just like Xamarin, NativeScript supports MVVM and MVC architectural patterns. However, this framework also functions
widely on modules, plugins, and CLI. The structure of NativeScript has several modules, and each of them is in charge of
enabling a specific collection of features.

9. 1. Building complex apps
If you have a complicated project in your hand, will you opt for a xamarin app development company or NativeScript development
agency?
Building complex apps on Xamarin
Xamarin gets compiled natively, which makes it one of the best cross-platform frameworks to create high-performance
applications. Anything built using Xamarin will look and feel just like a native application.
Building complex apps on NativeScript
Compared to other frameworks, NativeScript facilitates the smooth performance of apps of all kinds, whether complex or simple.
However, if you hope to use NativeScript to build an advanced solution, your developers will need additional UI and XML support.
To conclude
As you can see, the information provided here is useful to every business owner, even if they have plans to hire one of the top
mobile app development companies like Moon Technolabs for their project.
Researchers from Gartner describe the future of app development for mobile devices using the term “multi-experience.” With
every passing day, adhering to a user-centric method of development is becoming the need of the hour.
The information provided in this write-up will surely help you find one of the top mobile app development companies for your
project. Just don’t forget to research service providers to segregate the ones that can handle your project.

10. Final considerations
Well, there you have it – a comprehensive comparative study of the two most popular frameworks in existence for developing iOS
applications. The creators of both frameworks designed them specifically for offering the best UX on native platforms. Also, both frameworks
have exclusive advantages and disadvantages.
If the information provided above doesn’t help you in making the right decision, then you should hire react native app developers based on
the factors mentioned below.
1. You want to build an app with complicated UI and high device memory management.
2. You want to create just one platform by leveraging the ecosystem of Apple.
3. You wish to create apps with native APIs and features for iOS.
4. You hope to build something that’ll need upgrades and maintenance in the future.
5. You want to create banking solutions with extra safety and a high memory management level.
Conversely, Swift should be your choice if your idea satisfies the following conditions.
1. You want to create an app that you can release on Android later.
2. You want to reduce your app development expenses.
3. You want to create something in need of live reloading and hot reloading.
4. You want to create a cross-platform solution.
5. You want to build your app as fast as possible.
These considerations will aid you in making an informed decision. You can always contact Moon Technolabs if you wish to learn more about
the differences between React Native and Swift, as well as their abilities.