Both the Xamarin and Nativescript frameworks provide a native user interface and are cross-platform. However, Nativescript is used for apps with Typescript & Javascript, while Xamarin is used for apps with .NET and C#-based codebases.
So, what’s the difference between these two frameworks? Let’s take a look:
NativeScript — A Short Brief
NativeScript is a framework that allows developers to build native mobile apps using JavaScript and TypeScript. It was created by Telerik, a company that makes tools for building web applications.
Xamarin - Xamarin is an ultimate cross-platform development tool that allows developers to build native apps for iOS and Android using C#. Microsoft created it.
NativeScript Vs. Xamarin: The Key Differences
Now that we’ve given you a brief overview of each framework let’s take a more in-depth look at the key differences between them:
- Performance:-
Performance is one of the key distinctions between these two frameworks. Apps written in NativeScript are compiled into native code, enabling them to run instantly on processors. Overall performance improves as a result of this.
Xamarin apps, on the other hand, are compiled to intermediate language (IL), which then needs to be interpreted by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler. Thus, this can result in some performance issues, especially regarding startup time and memory usage.
2. Language:
Another key difference is the language that each framework uses. NativeScript apps are built using JavaScript or TypeScript, while Xamarin apps are built using C#.
3. Application Architecture:
The way that each framework structures its applications is also different. NativeScript uses a traditional JavaScript application architecture, with an app.js file containing all of the code for the app.
Xamarin uses the Model View ViewModel (MVVM) pattern, separating concerns between the UI and business logic. This can make it easier to manage large codebases and make changes to the app without affecting other parts of the code.
4. UI Components:
With NativeScript, developers have access to a wide range of UI components that can be used to build the app. These include both native iOS and Android components, as well as cross-platform components.
Xamarin also has a range of UI components available, but these are mostly wrappers around the native iOS and Android UI elements. This can make it difficult to create cross-platform apps that have a consistent look and feel on all platforms.
5. Community Support:
Regarding community support, NativeScript has a larger and more active community than Xamarin. Besides, this is likely because it is an open-source framework, while Xamarin is a commercial product.
This means more resources are available for NativeScript developers, and getting help from other remote developers is easier if you run into problems.
6. Popularity:
Although NativeScript has been around for longer, Xamarin is actually more popular than NativeScript, according to the latest Statista survey. Moreover, this is likely because it is easier to use and performs better.
Only 5% of developers used NativeScript in 2021, compared to 11% of developers who used Xamarin to create cross-platform apps.
7. Pricing:
Xamarin is a commercial product, meaning you need to pay for a license to use it. NativeScript, on the other hand, is an open-source framework, meaning it is free to use.
Wrap Up
So, there you have it — a brief overview of the key differences between NativeScript and Xamarin. Hopefully, this will help you decide which framework is right for your next project.
Besides, if you are considering taking your business online, you should consider using one of these frameworks since they are both great for building cross-platform mobile app development.
