NativeScript vs Capacitor by Ionic

Struggling to choose between NativeScript and Capacitor by Ionic? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

NativeScript is a Development solution with tags like crossplatform, native, javascript, typescript, ios, android.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including Write once, run anywhere, Performance of native apps, Access full native capabilities, Large open source community, Free and open source.

On the other hand, Capacitor by Ionic is a Development product tagged with crossplatform, hybrid-app, ionic, capacitor, webview.

Its standout features include Cross-platform - Build iOS, Android, and Web apps with one codebase, Native APIs - Access native device features like Camera, Geolocation, Notifications, etc, Plugin ecosystem - Extend functionality with community-built plugins, Web Standards - Use web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Native Bridge - Call native code from JavaScript and vice versa, Live Reload - Update code and see changes instantly, and it shines with pros like Write once, deploy anywhere, Access native features through web standards, Large plugin ecosystem for added functionality, Fast development with live reload, Leverage knowledge of web development.

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.

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


Capacitor by Ionic

Capacitor by Ionic

Capacitor is a cross-platform app runtime that allows developers to build web apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript and deploy them to native iOS, Android and web. It includes a rich set of web APIs and allows wrapping web code into native code using plugins.

Categories:
crossplatform hybrid-app ionic capacitor webview

Capacitor by Ionic Features

  1. Cross-platform - Build iOS, Android, and Web apps with one codebase
  2. Native APIs - Access native device features like Camera, Geolocation, Notifications, etc
  3. Plugin ecosystem - Extend functionality with community-built plugins
  4. Web Standards - Use web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  5. Native Bridge - Call native code from JavaScript and vice versa
  6. Live Reload - Update code and see changes instantly

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Write once, deploy anywhere

Access native features through web standards

Large plugin ecosystem for added functionality

Fast development with live reload

Leverage knowledge of web development

Cons

Still requires native project setup for each platform

Not as performant as fully native code

Limitations of web vs native UI

Some more complex native features may lack plugin support