In this blog, we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of Ionic application development. We will look at the detailed description that will tell us more clear aspects about an ionic application development.
Generally, we develop an application for the two main platforms when it comes to developing a mobile application. These two platforms include Android and iOS- natively.
Mainly native development comes with API integration, higher performance, full functionality, and easy access to hardware controls.
But, native application development causes a big hole in your pocket as expenses are doubled or tripled in it depending on how many platforms you wish to cover.
Native application development means two codebases, two development teams, two separate applications, and bearing high expenses for all of it.
Instead, you can choose another method of mobile application development that will utilize web technologies.
1. What is an Ionic Framework?
Ionic mobile application development is not new in the market.
Ionic is an open-source SDK for hybrid mobile applications development, and it was created in 2013.
Ionic application development is in trend, and around an estimation of 5 million application buildings took place using an ionic framework.
The ionic framework is an npm module that uses front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Angular.
With the help of an ionic framework, it is easier to develop cross-platform mobile applications with a single codebase.
2. Ionic Starter Pack
To begin ionic application development, you will require a couple of things. The ionic team has launched precise documentation that consists of various topics including beginner guides as one of them.
2.1 General Documentation
It includes coverage of platform launches, CLI installation, app development beginning, and other additional information.
2.2 Official Migration Guide
It comes with a handy and concise migration guide on the version of ionic 4 and there are a lot of applications written on it.
2.3 Stencil Library
For downloading and building web components, the stencil library is used.
2.4 Integration Page
The integration page offers a list of modules, tools, and native plugins that are useful to be integrated into your application.
2.5 Capacitor Plugins Repository
Ionic offers a Capacitor platform, that provides APIs to connect with devices’ hardware.
2.6 Cordova Plugins Repository
Ionic also comes with a handy Cordova plugin repository.
3. Advantages of an Ionic Application Development
Mentioned below are the advantages of ionic application development-
3.1 Single codebase across various platforms
Ionic uses a single codebase across various platforms. It helps you in building mobile applications without the need for any native developers.
It reduces the development cost, and expenses for hiring native developers, and helps in the maintenance of the codebase. Ionic offers rapid time-to-market on both platforms.
The ionic application comes with easy maintenance. Also, ionic has built-in browser instruments and debugging tools. Ionic has the availability of transforming ionic applications into a PWA or a desktop app.
It has the purpose of utilizing economic expenses. Whether you are developing across Android, iOS, and even Windows devices, it is much cheaper within a single codebase as compared to native application development.
3.2 Ease of Learning
If you prefer ionic as your mobile application development tool then there will be an assurance of hiring developers for your project without facing any problems.
Ionic is easy to learn, and for front-end developers, it is easy to grasp. It compiles UI elements, using Capacitor or Cordova for functionality purposes. With ionic application development, it is easier to develop and maintain a mobile application.
Also, the ionic framework helps in boosting more speed.
3.3 Exclusive Choice of UI Elements and Quick Prototyping.
The ionic framework offers a UI components library. These components can act as ready-made elements to construct your GUI (graphical user interface) or utilize those elements for customization.
Ionic can provide speed in the process of developing UI logic without additional expenses.
3.4 Convenience of Testing
Ionic offers testing convenience. It ensures that everything runs smoothly without the use of any testing device.
3.5 Strong Community
Ionic comes with a strong community. It has more than 5 million developers and provides constant activity on the forum.
3.6 Wide Range of Integration Capabilities and Plugins
Ionic can be integrated with multiple tools. The list of technologies to be integrated is available on Ionic’s website, offering easy access to analytical instruments, payment systems, testing tools, and security.
Ionic also consists of several plugins that help in integrating with a device’s hardware.
4. Disadvantages of Ionic Application Development
Now, you are aware of the advantages of ionic mobile application development, let’s discuss the cons that ionic application development comes with.
Mentioned below are the disadvantages of ionic application development-
4.1 Lack of Performance
Talking about the heavy applications’ performance. ionic lacks in suitability. It shows good results for the common functionality of a mobile application.
But, in the case of heavy applications that use augmented reality like smartphone cameras, or graphics-heavy applications, it makes the app crawl.
And the reason is quite simple. Ionic renders graphic elements with the help of a browser, which takes multiple steps to begin, and it results in more load time and a lack of performance.
4.2 Plugin-Dependent System
To develop your plugin, you might need specific features. In such a case, ionic can’t hold native plugins without transforming them in JavaScript. It means in case of using a native code, is not possible. Therefore, it is plugin-dependent, making it one of the main disadvantages of ionic.
4.3 Hot Reloading Absence
One of the main disadvantages of ionic is that it doesn’t offer hot reloading, resulting in slow speed, and consumes more time.
4.4 Other Disadvantages
Other disadvantages of ionic include security issues, application size, etc.
5. Conclusion
There are always two sides to a coin; it depends on you whether you adopt the good parts of any tool or the bad ones. If you are looking for professional ionic developers, then we are the right place for your business needs.
To get the latest updates, follow us on LinkedIn.
https://in.linkedin.com/company/take-2-technologies
To know more updates about the latest technologies, check out our blog section at