Apache Cordova vs NativeScript

Struggling to choose between Apache Cordova and NativeScript? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Apache Cordova is a Development solution with tags like crossplatform, mobile, html5, css3, javascript.

It boasts features such as Cross-platform development, Web technologies like HTML, CSS & JavaScript, Access native device capabilities, Large plugin ecosystem, Open source & free and pros including Write once, deploy to multiple platforms, Leverage web developer skills, Avoid platform-specific languages like Java or Swift, Quick prototyping.

On the other hand, NativeScript is a Development product tagged with crossplatform, native, javascript, typescript, ios, android.

Its standout features include Write code in JavaScript/TypeScript, Access native APIs, Reuse code across iOS, Android & Web, Open source under Apache 2.0, Hot module replacement, LiveSync for instant app updates, Angular, Vue.js and React support, and it shines with pros like Write once, run anywhere, Performance of native apps, Access full native capabilities, Large open source community, Free and open source.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Apache Cordova

Apache Cordova

Apache Cordova is an open-source mobile development framework. It allows you to use standard web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for cross-platform development, avoiding native development languages like Objective-C and Java. Cordova wraps the HTML and JavaScript code into a native container which can access the device functions of many platforms.

Categories:
crossplatform mobile html5 css3 javascript

Apache Cordova Features

  1. Cross-platform development
  2. Web technologies like HTML, CSS & JavaScript
  3. Access native device capabilities
  4. Large plugin ecosystem
  5. Open source & free

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Write once, deploy to multiple platforms

Leverage web developer skills

Avoid platform-specific languages like Java or Swift

Quick prototyping

Cons

Performance limitations

Not fully native experience

Complex debugging

Limited access to some native APIs


NativeScript

NativeScript

NativeScript is an open source framework for building native iOS and Android apps using JavaScript or TypeScript. It allows developers to reuse skills and code from web development and build truly native mobile applications with access to native APIs.

Categories:
crossplatform native javascript typescript ios android

NativeScript Features

  1. Write code in JavaScript/TypeScript
  2. Access native APIs
  3. Reuse code across iOS, Android & Web
  4. Open source under Apache 2.0
  5. Hot module replacement
  6. LiveSync for instant app updates
  7. Angular, Vue.js and React support

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Write once, run anywhere

Performance of native apps

Access full native capabilities

Large open source community

Free and open source

Cons

Steeper learning curve than native SDKs

Less documentation than native SDKs

Limited number of UI components

Not as many third-party plugins as native