Picking the Perfect Tech Path for Your Mobile App:

A Non-Techie's Guide

Imagine you have this fantastic mobile app idea, but you're not a tech wizard.

Don't worry!
This blog post is here to be your tech compass. We'll help you navigate the maze of mobile app development options and educate on the scalability challenges you may experience with growth.

Testing the Waters with Figma:

Figma is a web-based design and prototyping tool that allows you
to create interactive and visually appealing mockups and prototypes
of your mobile app. Think of Figma as a virtual sketchbook where you can draw and experiment with your app's design before committing
to the actual development, similar to how chefs create detailed recipes before cooking a dish.

Think of your app idea as a recipe. Before you hit the kitchen (coding world), you want to make sure your ingredients are just right. Figma is like your app's "test kitchen." It's where you can whip up a visual prototype without spending a dime on development. Share your beautifully designed mockup with potential investors and early users, get their feedback, and tweak your recipe before investing in the full-scale app.

A "ready-made backend" typically refers to a pre-built or
pre-configured backend infrastructure that is readily available
for use in developing a web or mobile application. It is designed
to provide common backend functionalities, such as user authentication, database management, data storage, and server-side processing, without the need for extensive custom development.


React Native is an open-source framework for building mobile applications using JavaScript and React. It allows you to create cross-platform apps
for both iOS and Android. React Native is like a versatile spice mix that can be used in multiple dishes. It allows you to create mobile apps that work on different platforms using a common set of ingredients (code).

Going the

Thrifty Route

Ready-Made Backend + React Native

Pros

Cons

Speedy development: It's like a shortcut in the coding universe.

Sharing UI and business logic: Imagine reusing your secret sauce for both mobile and web.

React Native developers, they're like chefs who can handle both your mobile menu and web specials.

To add any secret ingredients (existing native code), you'll need chefs who speak Java or Swift.

A treasure trove of ready-made solutions and ingredients
to spice up your app.

Keeping your SDK ingredients up to date can be like managing a bustling kitchen – it's challenging and, occasionally, costly.

Displaying your UI on all phone versions is like making
a soufflé; it might rise perfectly, or it might fall flat. Some versions will give you lags and bugs.

Inbuilt phone features can be like the trickiest kitchen gadgets. Expect some learning curve with Bluetooth, GPS, camera, etc.

Firebase is a mobile and web application development platform provided by Google. It offers various tools for backend services, including user authentication and real-time database solutions.

Think of Firebase as a ready-made pantry stocked with essential ingredients like user management and data storage. You can use these ingredients to quickly set up the backend of your app.

Ground:

The Middle

Ready-Made Backend (Firebase)
with a Unique Frontend

Pros

Cons

Quick and high-performance backend – it's like having
a reliable sous-chef.

Connect Firebase with SDKs, it's like getting the freshest ingredients for your recipe.

Perfect for user management and data storage, just like
a trusty pantry for your app.

Limited customization is akin to sticking to a set menu; you can't create unique dishes beyond the available options.

Think of it like cooking for a dinner party; scalability might become a challenge. Your sous-chef can handle the basics, but there's a limit to how many guests you can serve.

Just like discovering a new culinary technique, let's dive into
the world of mobile app development with Flutter. Similar to React Native, Flutter is an open-source framework for building mobile applications. It uses the Dart programming language and allows you to create cross-platform apps for both iOS and Android.

The Rising

Star

Pros

Cons

Flutter provides a high development velocity, just like
a skilled chef whipping up a dish with finesse.

Allows you to create mobile apps quickly and efficiently.
Its hot reload feature enables developers to see the changes
in real-time, speeding up the development process.

UI Consistency: With Flutter's single codebase approach, you can achieve consistent and visually appealing user interfaces across different platforms, much like creating
a dish that's visually stunning. The framework comes with
a rich set of pre-designed widgets, making it easier to create a beautiful and consistent UI.

Native Code Integration: If you need to integrate existing native code into your Flutter app, it might require additional effort. Flutter provides a way to call platform-specific code, but you may need developers familiar with Java (for Android) or Swift (for iOS) to accomplish this.

Access to Native Features: Flutter allows you to access native device features seamlessly. It's akin to having
a versatile set of kitchen tools, allowing you to create diverse dishes. Flutter provides a platform-specific API that enables developers to leverage hardware functionalities like GPS, camera, Bluetooth, and more.

Same code for Different Platforms: With Flutter, you have
the flexibility to create cross-platform apps for both iOS and Android, just like preparing the same delicious dish
for different dining preferences. This reduces development efforts and ensures consistency in data management and business logic processing.

Limited Third-Party Libraries: While Flutter has a growing ecosystem of packages and libraries, it may not have the same level of maturity and variety as some other frameworks. However, the community actively contributes
to the growth of the Flutter ecosystem, and many popular libraries are already available.

Compatibility Issues: Since Flutter is a relatively new framework, there can be occasional compatibility issues with different versions of operating systems and devices. It's important to stay updated with new releases and test thoroughly across various platforms.

Learning Curve: As with any new culinary technique, there may be a learning curve associated with Flutter, particularly if you are new to Dart. However, with its extensive documentation and a supportive community, you can quickly grasp the fundamentals and become proficient in Flutter development.

Flutter allows developers to build high-quality cross-platform mobile applications efficiently, just like a versatile chef creating diverse and delightful dishes. It offers benefits like rapid development, consistent UI, access to native features, and easy backend integration. However, it's essential to consider the learning curve, limited third-party libraries, compatibility issues, and native code integration when using Flutter. With careful planning and execution, Flutter can be a powerful tool for creating engaging and performant mobile apps.

Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is a technology that allows you to write code in the Kotlin programming language and share it between different platforms, such as iOS and Android, while still maintaining native performance. KMM is like having a magical chef's knife that can chop and prepare ingredients for multiple dishes simultaneously, ensuring that they all turn out with tasty perfection.

Tech

The Michelin-Starred

If mobile apps were michelin-starred, KMM and Python would be at the top of your reservation list.

Frontend iOS and Android Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) with Backend in Python

Frontend (KMM)

Pros

Cons

It's like having a Michelin-starred kitchen at your disposal – high performance is a given.

A vast array of recipes (solutions and libraries) to choose from.

Updating ingredients (dependencies and SDKs) is as easy as upgrading your pantry.

Mastering business logic and database is like having
an executive chef who takes care of everything.

Just as crafting fine cuisine takes time, so does KMM development. It might not be the fast food drive-thru experience you're looking for if you’re in a hurry.

It's like running a gourmet restaurant; quality comes
at a price. Expect a bit of a premium.

Seamless integration capabilities are like having a top-notch pastry chef; think maps, Bluetooth, GPS, and cameras.

Backend (Python)

Pros

Cons

High-performance kitchen with room for growth. You can host grand banquets with ease.

You have access to a variety of spices (solutions and libraries) to experiment with.

A set of reusable components can be like having signature dishes that guests keep coming back for.

Comes with an admin panel – a bit like an in-house food critic; you can manage content with ease.

While it's a well-equipped kitchen, minor adjustments might still need a helping hand.

Your menu is somewhat fixed; you can't easily add new dishes without a developer-chef's expertise.

In the culinary world of app development, choosing the right technology is like picking
the perfect recipe for your restaurant. If you're on a budget or craving a quick test run, go with React Native and Firebase. For those with a taste for complexity and a proven concept, opt for Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile and Python on the backend.

Whichever culinary path you take, be prepared for scaling up your kitchen, and consider consulting with experienced chefs (Solution Architects) to ensure your mobile app can accommodate your growing number of hungry customers. If you aren’t sure the best route to take, connect with us!

The Discovery Phase is the perfect place to start for the non-techie founder who has minimal budget

In 30 days or less you’ll receive:

Tech stack recommendations

Schedule an intro call to see if The Discovery Phase is right for your startup.

Development plan & estimation

Defined requirements for MVP

Clickable prototype

Meet our CTO

Vadim L.

Hey there! With a wealth of experience in the world of IT, I've been helping clients with various tech needs - think software development, reimagining web platforms, diving into cloud solutions, offering strategic tech advice, and more. As the CTO at Softvoya, my focus is to make sure our tech strategy aligns seamlessly with our business goals, keeping systems swift and safe, and leaning into the tech-savvy side of life.

Over at Softvoya, we're like a bunch of tech enthusiasts who happen to be ace engineers, custom software developers, and creative problem solvers.

Our mission?

To empower organizations to thrive through the magic of digital development. So, if you're wondering about the right tech stack, team expansion, or just need a tech-savvy chat, reach out!