- Home
- All services
- Mobile app development company in India
- Cross-platform app development
Mobile app development company in India
Cross-platform app development
Cross-platform app development builds one codebase for iOS and Android, helping business owners launch on both app stores with less duplicated work.
Quick answer
Cross-platform app development is a way of building one mobile app from a shared codebase that runs on both iOS and Android. Pugmarks Media, based in Ahmedabad, India, builds these apps for clients in India, the US, the UK, Europe and Australia. Whether it suits you depends on features, performance needs and budget.
01Overview
What is Cross-platform app development?
Cross-platform app development is the practice of writing a single body of app code, called a shared codebase, and publishing it as separate apps for iOS and Android. Pugmarks Media, based in Ahmedabad, India, builds cross-platform apps for clients in India, the US, UK, Europe and Australia.
Cross-platform app development differs from native development. Native development means building one app for iOS and a second, separate app for Android, each in its own language and tools. Cross-platform development reuses most of the logic and screens across both, so the team maintains one main product instead of two.
A concrete example: a local services company wants customers to book appointments, pay and receive reminders. With a cross-platform approach, the team builds the booking flow once and releases it to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Device-specific parts, such as push notifications or camera access, are connected separately for each system.
Cross-platform development is not right for every project. Apps that depend heavily on advanced device features, or that need the exact look and behavior of one platform, can fit native builds better. The choice typically depends on budget, timeline, features and the audience you want to reach.
If you are weighing the options, compare this approach with our iOS app development and Android app development pages. You can also contact Pugmarks Media to talk through which route suits your app.
02Who it is for
Who Cross-platform app development is for
Startups launching a first app
Founders who need an iOS and Android version of a first product at the same time. Pugmarks Media builds one shared codebase, so the team maintains one product instead of two.
Small businesses with a limited budget
Owners who want customers on both app stores but cannot fund two separate builds. Cost depends on scope and features, so contact us for a quote.
Teams replacing a web-only product
Companies whose customers now expect a mobile app. A shared codebase lets one team ship the same features on both platforms.
Service and booking businesses
Clinics, salons, delivery and field-service firms whose customers use mixed iPhones and Android phones. Booking, payments and notifications work the same on both.
Companies with a split audience
Businesses whose users are not clearly on one platform. Cross-platform development avoids choosing between iOS app development and Android app development first.
03What we do
What's included
Shared codebase build
Pugmarks Media builds one codebase that publishes to iOS and Android, so owners who need both app stores avoid paying for two separate builds.
Mobile UI and UX design
Designers create screen flows and interface layouts that follow iOS and Android conventions, so users on either platform find navigation familiar before development begins.
API and backend integration
Developers connect the app to your existing systems, payment gateways or databases, so teams with current software can reuse their data inside the mobile app.
Device and OS testing
Testers check the app on multiple screen sizes and operating system versions for both platforms, helping catch layout and behavior problems before store submission.
App Store and Google Play launch
Pugmarks Media prepares builds, listings and submissions for both stores, guiding first-time publishers through review requirements, which typically vary by platform.
Post-launch maintenance
The team handles bug fixes and operating system updates after release, so owners keep a working app. Scope is agreed in advance; contact us to discuss it.
04Process
How our Cross-platform app development works
Define goals and scope
Pugmarks Media runs a discovery session to confirm users, core features and target platforms. You provide business goals and any existing designs. You receive a written scope and a prioritized feature list.
ESTIMATE: 3-5 DAYSChoose the framework
We compare cross-platform frameworks against your feature needs, such as camera, maps or offline use. You share budget and integration constraints. You receive a short recommendation explaining the chosen framework and its trade-offs.
ESTIMATE: 2-3 DAYSDesign the user experience
Designers create wireframes and screens that follow iOS and Android conventions where they differ. You review and comment on clickable prototypes. You receive approved designs ready for development.
ESTIMATE: 1-3 WEEKSBuild the shared codebase
Developers build features in sprints on one codebase, adding platform-specific code only where needed. You test regular builds and give feedback. You receive working app versions after each sprint.
ESTIMATE: 6-14 WEEKS, DEPENDING ON SCOPETest on real devices
We test on a range of iOS and Android devices for bugs, performance and layout issues. You confirm key user flows. You receive a fix log and a release-candidate build.
ESTIMATE: 1-3 WEEKSLaunch and support
We prepare store listings and submit the app to the Apple App Store and Google Play. You provide developer accounts and store content. You receive the live app and a maintenance plan.
ESTIMATE: 1-2 WEEKS, PLUS STORE REVIEW TIME
05Deliverables
What you get
| Deliverable | What it is | Cadence | Starts in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery brief | Written goals, user types, core features and platform needs | One-time | Week 1 |
| App scope document | Feature list split into launch and later releases | One-time | Weeks 1-2 |
| UX wireframes | Screen-by-screen layouts for iOS and Android | One-time | Weeks 2-3 |
| UI design files | Visual design with shared components for both platforms | One-time | Weeks 3-4 |
| Shared-codebase build | Working app code that runs on iOS and Android | Sprint-based | Weeks 4-5 |
| Test builds | Builds shared for review on real iOS and Android devices | Every sprint | After first sprint |
| QA report | Recorded bugs, fixes and device checks before release | Per release | Before each release |
| App store submission | Listing setup and submission to Apple and Google stores | One-time | After final testing |
| Progress report | Summary of work done, open issues and next steps | Monthly | First month-end |
| Maintenance plan | Post-launch bug fixes and OS-update compatibility work | Monthly | After launch |
06Compare
Cross-platform app development: in-house vs agency vs Pugmarks
| Criteria | In-house | Typical agency | Pugmarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Depends on hiring; often several months | Depends on agency availability and contracting | Scoped after an intro call; start date agreed in writing |
| Specialisation | Skills limited to hired developers | Varies; often a broad mix of services | Mobile apps alongside SEO and web development |
| Reporting | Internal updates, format set by your team | Varies by agency and contract | Monthly reporting |
| Cost model | Salaries, tools and overhead | Project fee or retainer | Depends on scope; see pricing page or contact us |
| Risk | Hiring gaps and staff turnover | Handover and dependency on one vendor | Scope agreed up front; code handover terms confirmed in contract |
| Flexibility | High control, slower to scale team | Depends on contract terms | Shared codebase; scope can be adjusted between phases |
08FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is cross-platform app development better than native development?
Cross-platform development is not better in every case; it suits many business apps, while native can suit apps that need deep device features. Cross-platform shares one codebase across iOS and Android, which typically reduces duplicated work. Pugmarks Media can review your requirements and recommend an approach. See our iOS app development and Android app development pages for native options.
How long does it take to build a cross-platform app?
Timelines depend on scope, so any figure is an estimate until requirements are reviewed. A simple app with few screens typically takes less time than one with custom backend work, many integrations or heavy design. Pugmarks Media usually scopes the work first, then shares a phased plan. Contact us with your feature list for a realistic estimate.
How much does cross-platform app development cost?
Cost depends on the number of screens and features, integrations, backend work, and the design and testing required. Pugmarks Media does not quote a figure without understanding scope. Share your idea through the contact page and we will talk through options, or see the pricing page for how we approach packages.
What mobile app development tools are used for cross-platform apps?
Cross-platform apps are built with frameworks that let developers write shared code for both iOS and Android. The right mobile app development tools depend on your app's features, performance needs and your team's skills. Pugmarks Media selects tools after reviewing requirements, rather than starting with a preferred tool and fitting your project to it.
Who should choose cross-platform app development?
Cross-platform development suits businesses that want an app on both iOS and Android without maintaining two separate builds. Startups testing an idea and companies with content, booking or customer-account apps often consider it. Apps that depend heavily on advanced hardware features may need native work, which we can assess together.
Can Pugmarks Media build an app for clients outside India?
Yes, Pugmarks Media, based in Ahmedabad, India, serves clients in India, the US, the UK, Europe and Australia. Work is typically coordinated remotely, with monthly reporting. Ask about time-zone overlap and communication when you get in touch. You can also read about our app development company in India page.
What happens after my cross-platform app launches?
After launch, an app typically needs bug fixes, operating system updates and feature improvements. Because cross-platform apps share a codebase, many updates can be applied to both iOS and Android together. Pugmarks Media can discuss ongoing support options during scoping so expectations are clear before work begins.
What are the risks of cross-platform app development?
The main risks are limited access to some device-specific features and occasional differences in look or performance between iOS and Android. Careful planning and testing on real devices typically reduce these risks. Pugmarks Media flags such limits during scoping so you can decide whether cross-platform or native fits your app.
09Keep reading
Related services and guides
Related services and guides from Pugmarks Media cover native Android and iOS development, healthcare apps, and the parent mobile app development service, so you can compare build approaches before you choose one.
Talk to Pugmarks Media about your app
Pugmarks Media reviews your app idea and replies with cross-platform options and next steps.