What cross-platform app development actually means
The traditional route is native development: one app written in Swift for iPhone, another in Kotlin for Android. That means two codebases, two task queues and usually two teams. A cross-platform approach builds most of the product once, and versions for both systems are produced from that shared code.
For a business owner the consequences matter more than the tooling. Order and payment logic live in one place, and fixes reach the App Store and Google Play at roughly the same time. This is most noticeable when the app is a sales channel rather than the product itself: a catalog, a personal account, bookings, delivery or a loyalty programme.
Flutter, React Native and other options
There is no single correct technology. The choice depends on the task and on who will maintain the product a year from now. Before you start, ask a simple question: if you stop working with this contractor, can you find another developer for the same stack in Uzbekistan?
- Flutter: draws its own interface, so the app looks identical on both systems. A good fit for strongly custom design.
- React Native: JavaScript or TypeScript with native interface elements. Convenient if you already have web developers who know React.
- Kotlin Multiplatform: shared business logic with a native interface. Chosen when a fully native feel is a priority.
- PWA: a web app added to the phone's home screen straight from the browser, with no app store or review.
When it fits and when it does not
The approach works well for business apps where most of the load is screens, forms, lists and talking to a server. If your product depends on heavy graphics, games, deep camera or Bluetooth work, or background processes, native development is often more reliable and cheaper to change later.
- Catalog, cart, orders and a personal account.
- Bookings, appointments, memberships, loyalty programmes.
- You need both iPhone and Android, but the budget is limited.
- Integrations with Click, Payme, a CRM and a Telegram bot through APIs.
- You want a first version quickly to test demand.
App, PWA or website: where to start
Many companies come asking for an app while their customers live in Instagram and Telegram. Someone who sees an ad taps a link; they rarely visit an app store to install something for a single order. A responsive website with a cart and Click or Payme checkout opens instantly, shows up in search and needs no store review.
An app earns its place when customers buy repeatedly and benefit from push notifications and an account: food delivery, salons, fitness, learning platforms. A sensible sequence for many businesses is a turnkey website first, then a PWA, and a full app once you can see people coming back. markdev builds websites as well, so we will say plainly if a website is all you need for now.
What drives the cost
Price is set by the volume of work, not by the platform. Two quotes are comparable only if they describe the same thing. Typically the estimate covers:
- Number of screens and complexity of features.
- Interface design and animations.
- The server side and an admin panel for your team.
- Integrations: payments, SMS, maps, CRM, delivery.
- Publishing: developer accounts, store listings, passing review.
- Testing on different devices and OS versions.
- Support and updates after launch.
How to choose a team without overpaying
Tashkent has freelancers, small studios and full-cycle agencies. The difference is often not price but whether they are willing to answer for results. Agree up front how you will know the app works: share of orders coming through it, repeat purchases, cost of an acquired customer.
Ask for a phased plan with a minimal first release instead of everything at once. Connect analytics from the first release, otherwise in three months you will not know if the investment pays back. Finally, make sure the source code and the App Store and Google Play accounts are registered to you, not to the contractor.
What to do next
Start with three questions: why would a customer need your app, what is missing in your website and Telegram channel, and how will you measure success. If the answers are unclear, an app is premature. If you would like to talk through a website or an app, get in touch with markdev: we will look at your business and suggest a solution without unnecessary spending.
FAQ
How is cross-platform different from native development?
Native means two separate apps for iOS and Android. Cross-platform builds most of the product once and compiles it for both systems, which simplifies changes and maintenance.
Should I choose Flutter or React Native?
Flutter suits distinctive custom design, while React Native fits teams that already know React. The deciding factor is whether developers are available to maintain the project later.
Do I need an app if I already have a website and Instagram?
Not always. If customers order once, a convenient website is enough. An app pays off with repeat purchases, push notifications and a personal account.
What makes up the price of an app?
The number of screens, design, server side, payment and CRM integrations, store publishing, testing and ongoing support.
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