Popular programming languages for developing cross-platform applications
You’ve probably started to notice the term cross-platform development popping up more and more frequently these days. Indeed, cross-platform programming is becoming increasingly popular in the context of software development. It is particularly prevalent in the area of mobile apps, but its use is by no means limited to these types of applications. As businesses strive to reach broader audiences across multiple devices and operating systems, developers are turning to versatile languages and frameworks that erase platform barriers.
If you’re wondering which programming language would best equip you to get started with cross-platform development, this overview article will steer you in the right direction, offering insights and real use-case examples.
Understanding cross-platform development
Cross-platform application development refers to the development approach where a single codebase can be used to create software that runs on multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and web browsers, among others. This approach has gained popularity in recent years, thanks in large part to the growing demand for mobile apps. Mobile engineers can share some or all of the source code between iOS and Android instead of developing separate applications for each platform.
We have a dedicated guide where you can read more about the benefits and limitations of native and cross-platform development and how to choose between these two approaches. Main advantages of cross-platform development include:
Cost-effectiveness. Building separate apps for each platform can be expensive in terms of both time and resources. With cross-platform development, developers can write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms, reducing development costs.
Faster development. This approach helps to accelerate the development process by making it so that developers only need to write and maintain a single codebase.
Efficient and flexible code sharing. Modern cross-platform technologies enable developers to reuse code across multiple platforms while maintaining the advantages of native programming.
Consistent user experiences across platforms. Cross-platform development ensures that key behaviors, such as calculations or workflows, deliver the same results on different platforms when needed. This helps maintain consistency, providing users with the same experience regardless of device or operating system.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular programming languages for cross-platform development.
Popular cross-platform programming languages, frameworks, and technologies
This article focuses on well-established programming languages suited for cross-platform development. While there are many languages designed for various purposes, this section provides a short overview of some of the most popular programming languages for cross-platform development along with relevant statistics and the frameworks that support them.
Overview and popularity
Language | First appeared | Popularity (Stack Overflow, 2025) | Popularity (DevEco Report 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
JavaScript | 1995 | #1 (66%) | #1 (61%) |
Dart | 2011 | #19 (5.9%) | #16 (8%) |
Kotlin | 2011 | #15 (10.08%) | #12 (18%) |
C# | 2000 | #8 (27.8%) | #9 (21%) |
C++ | 1985 | #9 (23.5%) | #8 (25%) |
Ecosystem and technologies
Language | Ecosystem/tooling | Technologies/frameworks |
|---|---|---|
JavaScript | Rich ecosystem, many libraries, active community | React Native, Ionic |
Dart | Growing ecosystem, supported by Google | Flutter |
Kotlin | Expanding ecosystem, strong JetBrains support | Kotlin Multiplatform |
C# | Strong Microsoft support, large ecosystem | .NET MAUI |
C++ | Mature ecosystem, fewer third-party libraries | Qt |
JavaScript
JavaScript is a widely used programming language that enables developers to add complex functionality to web pages. With the introduction of frameworks like React Native and Ionic, it has become a popular choice for cross-platform app development. According to the latest Developer Ecosystem Survey conducted by JetBrains, 61% of developers use JavaScript, which makes it the most popular programming language.
Dart
Dart is an object-oriented, class-based programming language that was introduced by Google in 2011. Dart forms the foundation of Flutter, an open-source framework created by Google for building multiplatform applications from a single codebase. Dart provides the language and runtimes that power Flutter apps.
Kotlin
Kotlin is a modern, mature multiplatform programming language developed by JetBrains. According to the Octoverse report, it was the fifth-fastest-growing language in 2024. It's concise, safe, interoperable with Java and other languages, and is Google's preferred language for Android app development.
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is a technology by JetBrains that allows you to create applications for various platforms and reuse Kotlin code across them while retaining the benefits of native programming. Additionally, JetBrains provides Compose Multiplatform, a declarative framework for sharing UIs across multiple platforms that is based on KMP and Jetpack Compose. In May 2024, Google announced their official support for Kotlin Multiplatform for sharing business logic across Android and iOS.
C#
C# is a cross-platform, general-purpose programming language developed by Microsoft. C# is the most popular language for the .NET Framework. .NET MAUI is a framework for building native, cross-platform desktop and mobile apps from a single C# codebase for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows.
C++
C++ is a general-purpose programming language that was first released in 1985 as an extension of the C programming language. Qt is a cross-platform software development framework that includes a set of modularized C++ library classes and provides a range of APIs for application development.
Key factors in selecting a cross-platform programming language
With all the languages, technologies, and tools available today, choosing the right one can be overwhelming, especially if you are just stepping into the world of cross-platform development. Various cross-platform technologies have their own unique pros and cons, but ultimately, it all comes down to your goals and requirements for the software you want to build.
When choosing a language or framework for your project, you should keep several important factors in mind. These include the type of your application, its performance and UX requirements, associated tooling, and various other concerns that are described in detail below.
1. The type of application
Different programming languages and frameworks are better supported on different platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers. Certain languages are naturally more suitable for specific platforms and projects.
2. Performance and UX requirements
Certain types of applications have specific performance and user experience (UX) requirements, which can be measured by different criteria, like speed, responsiveness, memory usage, and their CPU and GPU consumption. Consider the functions that your future application will need to fulfill and your desired parameters for the above criteria.
3. Existing skill set and learning curve
When choosing a technology for their next project, a development team should take into account their previous experience. Introducing a new language or tool requires time for training, which sometimes can delay the project. The steeper the learning curve, the longer it will take for the team to become proficient.
4. Existing use cases
Another important factor to consider is the real-world use of the technology. Reviewing case studies from companies that have successfully implemented specific cross-platform languages or frameworks can provide valuable insights into how these technologies perform in production. This can help you evaluate whether a particular technology is suitable for your project’s goals. Explore case studies of companies leveraging Kotlin Multiplatform to develop production-ready applications across various platforms.
For example, the Umain team behind McDonald’s app has moved toward a more unified mobile development approach, using shared Kotlin codebases across iOS and Android. Philips applies KMP to power cross-platform SDKs for connected devices, enabling consistent functionality across Android and iOS, while media platforms like 9GAG use it to share core content and data logic across apps, ensuring feature parity and faster iteration.
5. Language ecosystem
The maturity of the language’s ecosystem can also play a big role. Pay attention to the availability and quality of tools and libraries that support multiplatform development. For example, JavaScript has a vast number of libraries, which support frontend frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js), backend development (Express, NestJS), and a wide range of other functionalities.
Similarly, Flutter has a significant and rapidly growing number of libraries, also known as packages or plugins. Though Kotlin Multiplatform has fewer libraries currently, its ecosystem is growing rapidly, and the language is being enhanced by many Kotlin developers across the world. You can search for specific multiplatform libraries among the thousands already available on klibs.io.
6. Popularity and community support
It is worth examining the popularity and community support of the programming language and its associated technologies. It doesn’t come down only to the number of users and libraries. Pay attention to how active and supportive the language’s community is, including its users and contributors. Look for available blogs, podcasts, forums, and other resources.
7. Licensing and vendor longevity
Developers often look for open-source, vendor-neutral languages and frameworks supported by large communities or reputable organizations. Open-source ecosystems (such as Kotlin, JavaScript, or Dart) reduce the danger of lock-in and let teams maintain or enhance tools independently as needed.
At the same time, vendor support remains important – frameworks supported by Google, JetBrains, or Meta progress faster and receive more frequent upgrades. Balancing these aspects is critical. A strong project typically combines transparent governance, active community contributions, and long-term commitment from its maintainers, assuring teams that their technological choices will be viable for many years to come.
The future of cross-platform development
As cross-platform development advances, several emerging trends are influencing its future, pushing it beyond basic code sharing and toward smarter, more flexible solutions.
WebAssembly and server-driven UI
One significant trend is the rise of WebAssembly (Wasm), which allows high-performance code (written in languages such as Rust or C++) to execute in the browser alongside JavaScript. This enables genuinely portable applications that provide near-native performance across platforms without relying extensively on platform-specific code. Simultaneously, server-driven UIs are gaining popularity, allowing developers to customize app interfaces from the backend, reducing the need for frequent client updates and boosting consistency across devices.
AI-assisted code generation
Another significant trend is AI-assisted code generation. Large language model-powered tools speed up development by creating boilerplate, recommending cross-platform abstractions, and even assisting with code translation between languages. This reduces the barrier to entry and accelerates delivery, particularly for teams working across different platforms.
The rise of Rust and Go for cross-platform systems
Languages such as Rust and Go are becoming more popular for cross-platform backend services and performance-critical components. Rust, in particular, is praised for its memory safety and WebAssembly compatibility, but Go's simplicity and concurrency model make it excellent for large, cross-platform applications.
Low-code and no-code acceleration
Many businesses are now using low-code and no-code platforms to quickly prototype or even deliver cross-platform applications with little engineering involvement. While they cannot substitute full-scale development for large programs, they drastically shorten time-to-market for simpler use cases.
Overall, the future of cross-platform development is shifting toward a combination of high performance, automation, and versatility. As these technologies advance, developers will be able to create richer, faster, and more consistent experiences across platforms – all while spending less time handling platform-specific complexity.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are the most popular cross-platform programming languages?
A: Kotlin, JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, C++, and Dart are among the most popular cross-platform development languages. Their appeal comes from robust ecosystems, mature tools, and widespread community support, making them dependable options for developing web, mobile, and desktop apps.
Q: Is Python appropriate for cross-platform development?
Yes, Python is adaptable and ideal for cross-platform desktop applications and scripting. Frameworks such as Kivy allow developers to create apps that run on multiple platforms with a single codebase. However, it is less widely utilized in native mobile app development, where languages such as Kotlin, Swift, and Dart are more prevalent.
Q: How do I choose between Kotlin, Flutter (Dart), and React Native (JavaScript)?
The right option for you depends on a few critical factors:
Team expertise – Reduce ramp-up time by leveraging what your staff already understands.
Approach to UI – Flutter provides a highly customizable UI, but React Native relies on native components. Kotlin Multiplatform offers more flexibility in comparison. Developers can choose to share only business logic while keeping the UI fully native to each platform, or share both the logic and the UI using Compose Multiplatform.
Performance requirements – Kotlin (for native Android) performs best, with Kotlin Multiplatform enabling cross-platform development without compromising performance. Flutter offers high performance with its rendering engine, while React Native performance can vary depending on bridging and app complexity.
Community and ecosystem – React Native has the largest ecosystem, though Kotlin Multiplatform and Flutter are rapidly expanding.
Long-term support – JavaScript has the largest ecosystem, while Kotlin Multiplatform and Flutter are rapidly evolving with strong backing from JetBrains and Google, respectively.
Q: Is it possible to reuse code across several platforms using a single language?
A: Yes. Kotlin Multiplatform, for example, enables sharing code across Android, iOS, desktop, web, and server while retaining the advantages of native development. With Compose Multiplatform, you can also share UI code across multiple platforms for maximum code reuse. Some platform-dependent features, such as hardware access, system APIs, or deep OS integrations, may still require native implementations or custom expect/actual modules.