Native App Development Company

Native development is about building apps the way the platform intended. It means writing iOS apps in Swift or Objective-C using Apple’s SDKs, and Android apps in Kotlin or Java with Google’s tools. Each app runs directly on the device, which is why performance, design consistency, and access to native APIs are usually better than with shared-code frameworks.

In this guide, we’ll look at how native app development works and what it takes to build reliable iOS and Android apps.

Why Choose a Native App Development Company

Native apps are built specifically for one platform, such as iOS or Android, using platform-approved languages and SDKs. Because they run directly on the operating system, they have full access to hardware and system APIs, which makes them faster and more reliable than hybrid or cross-platform apps.

Teams usually choose native development when:

• The app needs consistent, high-performance (gaming, streaming, finance).

• It relies on hardware like cameras, GPS, or Bluetooth.

• The design needs to feel completely native to each platform.

  
  

When performance and user experience matter, building natively gives you better control and longer-term stability.

Advantages of Native Apps

The biggest advantage of native development is control. You’re building directly on the platform, which keeps performance and behavior consistent.

• Performance: Code written in Swift or Kotlin runs directly on the device, keeping animations, scrolling, and background tasks consistent.

  
  

• API access: You can use all system APIs - notifications, biometrics, GPS, and sensors, without waiting for third-party wrappers to catch up.

  
  

• UI and UX alignment: Using UIKit, SwiftUI, or Material Design ensures the app behaves exactly as users expect on each platform.

  
  

• Offline support: Native apps handle local data storage and background sync efficiently, which helps when network access is unreliable.

Native vs Hybrid vs Cross-Platform

Criteria	Native	Hybrid	Cross-Platform
Performance	Excellent	Moderate	Good
UI Consistency	Perfect	Moderate	High
Access to Hardware	Full	Limited	Partial
Development Time	Longer	Shorter	Shorter
Maintenance	Platform-specific	Easier	Easier

Hybrid and cross-platform frameworks like Flutter and React Native use one codebase for multiple platforms. They save time in development and maintenance, but they also add a translation layer between the code and the device. 

That layer can affect performance and cause delays when new OS versions release. Apps that process sensitive data, run real-time updates, or use heavy animations work more reliably when built natively.

Native App Development Services

Native development means building and maintaining apps with each platform’s tools and SDKs. Every step affects how the app runs in production.

iOS App Development (Swift / Objective-C)

iOS apps are typically built in Swift or Objective-C using frameworks like UIKit or SwiftUI. Developers follow Apple’s design and performance standards to ensure apps meet App Store compliance. 

Common use cases include fintech apps, healthcare platforms, and e-commerce tools that depend on security and usability.

Android App Development (Kotlin / Java)

Android apps are built using Kotlin or Java with the Android SDK and tools like Android Studio. Google recommends starting new projects with Kotlin. Many existing apps still use Java or mix both languages. A key part of Android development is testing across varied device types, screen sizes, and OS versions to ensure stable behavior.

Custom Features & Integrations

Native development supports deep integrations such as:

• In-app payments (Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay)

• Maps and location services

• Real-time messaging

• IoT device control

• Push notifications and background tasks

These integrations help customize apps to business needs while maintaining platform reliability.

User Interface & UX Design

Designers create platform-specific interfaces in Figma or Sketch, following iOS and Android standards for layout, typography, and motion. Prototypes are tested interactively before development to check gestures, animations, and transitions. Testing on devices ensures the interface behaves correctly within the platform’s constraints.

Quality Assurance & Testing

Thorough testing ensures reliability across devices and OS versions. Teams often use XCTest for iOS and Espresso for Android, along with device labs and emulators for real-world coverage. Automated tests handle regression, while manual QA verifies user flows and performance benchmarks.

App Store Deployment & Publishing

Submitting an app requires a developer account, a privacy policy, and compliance with platform guidelines. Initial submissions take longer because reviewers go through all features; updates are faster unless new permissions or functionality are added. 

Both Apple and Google require descriptions, screenshots, and metadata. Optimizing these elements affects discoverability, while screenshots and preview videos influence how users decide to install the app.

Maintenance & Support

Apps need updates for new OS versions. iOS updates may require changes for screen sizes or deprecated APIs. Android updates usually remain compatible with older versions, but testing is necessary. 

Crash reporting tools such as Firebase Crashlytics and Sentry collect stack traces and device information to reproduce issues. Monitoring tracks app startup, API response times, and memory use.

Technology Stack & Frameworks

A native app relies on a range of SDKs and tools throughout its lifecycle.

Native SDKs & Tools

Xcode is Apple's development environment for iOS apps. It includes Interface Builder for visual layout, Instruments for performance profiling, and debugging tools. Android Studio provides similar capabilities for Android development with the Android SDK.

Firebase offers authentication, real-time databases, cloud storage, and hosting. It works across platforms and reduces backend infrastructure needs. Realm provides local databases with sync capabilities.

Third-Party Integrations & APIs

Native apps often rely on APIs and SDKs for extended functionality:

• Payments: Stripe, PayPal

• Analytics: Mixpanel, Google Analytics

• Maps: Google Maps, Mapbox

• Social logins: Apple, Google, Facebook

Using trusted third-party services helps deliver consistent and scalable features.

Security & Performance Optimization

Native development makes it easier to implement secure coding practices and performance tuning. Common approaches include:

• Following OWASP Mobile Security Guidelines.

• Using encrypted local storage and secure API communication.

• Optimizing load times with caching.

• Monitoring performance and memory usage during testing.

Process & Best Practices

Following a structured development process keeps the project on track and helps deliver an app that works reliably and performs as expected.

Requirement Discovery & Planning

Technical feasibility studies evaluate whether features align with platform capabilities and guidelines. Some functionality that works on web apps may not be allowed on mobile. Background processing has strict limits, and data access often requires explicit permissions.

User stories define requirements from the user’s perspective, focusing on what tasks need to be completed rather than how they are implemented. They help prioritize features and identify edge cases early.

Prototyping & Wireframes

Low-fidelity wireframes establish navigation flow and information structure. High-fidelity mockups include visual design and micro-interactions. 

Clickable prototypes in Figma or InVision allow stakeholders to experience workflows before development begins.

Development Methodology (Agile / Iterative)

Two-week sprints provide a consistent delivery rhythm. Planning defines the work, daily standups address blockers, sprint reviews show completed features, and retrospectives adjust the process for the next cycle.

Continuous Testing & QA

CI/CD pipelines run automated tests on every code change to catch regressions. Build servers compile the app and execute test suites. Verified builds are deployed to internal testing tracks.

Release & Monitoring

After release, monitoring tracks crashes, API errors, and performance metrics. Crashes are investigated, and slow API calls are addressed. This data informs updates and improvements.

How to Choose a Native App Development Company

Select a partner with experience on similar apps, a clear development process, and established testing and update practices.

Portfolio & Past Apps

Check apps the team has published. Look at ratings, recent reviews, and try the apps yourself. Focus on projects with similar complexity to yours - experience with simpler apps may not cover more demanding features.

Team Expertise & Specialization

Native development requires platform-specific skills. iOS developers should be proficient in Swift and Apple’s frameworks, while Android developers need experience with Kotlin and Material Design. Backend integration and API work are also important for connecting the app to external services.

Communication & Project Management

Clear communication keeps the project on track. Regular demos show progress, Jira tracks tasks and issues, and Slack can be used for day-to-day coordination and quick problem-solving.

Cost Models & Contracts

Native projects vary in cost based on complexity, integrations, and number of platforms. Most teams offer flexible models:

• Fixed-price for well-defined scopes.

• Time & materials for evolving requirements.

• Retainers for ongoing support and iterations.

Support & Post-Launch Services

Apps need maintenance after launch. OS updates require code changes. Crash fixes need quick turnarounds. Feature additions keep apps competitive. Support agreements define response times and update schedules.

Getting Started

When building a native app, start by defining your platform-specific requirements and technical goals. Make sure you plan for architecture, testing, and monitoring from the beginning. 

Native development may take more effort upfront, but it helps you deliver an app that performs reliably, scales well, and meets user expectations on iOS and Android.

You can connect with our native app development experts to review your app requirements and plan the development process for iOS and Android.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a native app?

A native app is built specifically for one mobile platform using that platform's official programming languages and development tools. iOS apps use Swift, Android apps use Kotlin. This provides better performance and access to all platform features.

How much does it cost to develop a native app?

Simple apps with standard features start around $50,000-75,000 per platform. Complex apps with custom features, backend systems, and integrations range from $100,000-300,000+. Factors include feature complexity, design requirements, third-party integrations, and whether you need both iOS and Android versions.

How long does it take to build a native app?

Standard apps take 3-6 months from requirements to launch. This includes discovery, design, development, testing, and store submission. Complex apps need 6-12 months. MVP versions launch faster by focusing on core features.

Native vs cross-platform: which is better?

Native development provides better performance, full API access, and platform-consistent UX. Cross-platform frameworks develop faster but may struggle with complex features. Choose native for apps where performance, security, or deep platform integration matter. Choose cross-platform for content apps or MVPs where speed to market is priority.

Can you convert a hybrid app to native?

Yes. Teams typically rebuild the app rather than convert code directly. This makes sense when performance problems affect retention, when you need features that hybrid frameworks can't support, or when maintaining the hybrid codebase becomes too complex. The native version usually performs better and feels more polished.