Cross-platform mobile applications are built from a single codebase and run on both iOS and Android without the need for separate development teams and separate projects. Unlike native applications written specifically for each operating system, the cross-platform approach allows the same business logic, interface and functionality to be delivered on both platforms simultaneously. This is not a compromise. It is an architectural decision that, when correctly implemented, results in an application that feels native to users while delivering measurable savings in development and maintenance costs to the business. Prolink has been developing cross-platform applications in Ionic since the framework reached the level of maturity that guarantees production stability, which means every new project inherits experience gained on real projects for real clients, not on experimenting with technology.
Ionic and Capacitor — the technology behind Prolink applications
Prolink develops cross-platform applications using the Ionic framework in combination with Capacitor. Ionic is a battle-tested framework that underpins tens of thousands of business applications globally and has reached a level of maturity where performance, component ecosystem and development productivity are comparable to native approaches for a wide range of business use cases. The core interface is built with web technologies, HTML, CSS and TypeScript, but is compiled and packaged as a genuine native application, not a website inside a browser. Capacitor is the bridge between that web layer and the device operating system. Through Capacitor the application gains access to native APIs that are invisible to users but functionally critical: camera and photo gallery access, high-precision GPS location, push notifications that work even when the application is not active, biometric authentication via Face ID and Touch ID, NFC reading, Bluetooth communication, on-device file management, sensors such as accelerometer and gyroscope, and offline operation with local data storage that synchronises when the network connection is restored.
Types of applications Prolink builds
The cross-platform approach suits a wide range of business applications. Field and operational applications, tools with which employees in the field record data, photograph, scan and report in real time, are one of the most common categories, because these applications must work reliably even in conditions of poor or non-existent network connectivity. Institut IGH uses a Prolink field application to record, synchronise and report data from mobile devices directly into a central system, eliminating paper documentation and reducing data processing delays. B2B and internal business tools, from staff management and scheduling applications to approval workflow systems and asset tracking, fit naturally into the cross-platform model because they are functionally mid-complexity but must be available on devices running any operating system employees happen to use. Skipper4you relies on a Prolink application for managing maritime crew, coordinating schedules and real-time team communication, and the application must function reliably in conditions of limited connectivity at sea. Customer-facing applications through which businesses communicate with end clients, loyalty programmes, reservation applications, order and service tracking portals, are also a frequent use case, particularly when simultaneous presence on the App Store and Google Play is a requirement rather than an option. AVIS rentacar uses a Prolink application to digitalise the vehicle handover process, scanning contracts and documenting damage photographs in a single flow without paper forms. Taxi Vozek relies on a Prolink solution for ride coordination and communication between dispatchers and drivers. IoT applications that communicate with hardware devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, barcode and QR code scanning applications in logistics and retail, and applications that integrate the camera as a primary input, all of these categories are well suited to the Ionic and Capacitor environment.
Cross-platform vs. native development
Native development, a separate Swift application for iOS and a separate Kotlin application for Android, is justified in scenarios where graphical rendering performance is an absolute priority, where advanced AR or deep integration with platform-specific APIs not available through Capacitor is required, or where the team already has deep native expertise for both platforms. For most business applications the cross-platform approach delivers near-identical performance at significantly lower cost. Prolink evaluates the right approach for each project individually and does not recommend cross-platform where native development genuinely delivers a better outcome.
Development process
| Phase | What happens | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Analysis of business goals, user scenarios and technical requirements; definition of scope and architectural decisions | Functional specification and project plan |
| UX/UI design | Wireframes and interactive prototypes adapted to mobile interaction patterns; client validation | Approved design ready for development |
| Iterative development | Two-week sprints with a demo at the end of each; continuous testing on real iOS and Android devices; integration with external systems | Functional increments after each sprint |
| Testing and QA | Testing on real devices of different generations and resolutions; verification of offline scenarios, edge cases and integrations | Stable application ready for publication |
| Publication | App Store and Google Play listing preparation, ASO optimisation, review process management | Application available in the stores |
| Maintenance | Compatibility monitoring with new OS versions, dependency upgrades, security patches, error monitoring | Application functional, secure and compliant with platform standards |
Maintenance and application lifecycle
Apple and Google release new versions of iOS and Android once or twice a year, and each new operating system version can introduce changes that affect the behaviour, appearance or operation of an application. App Store and Google Play also periodically change publication and update policies, introduce new security requirements and change the minimum SDK versions applications must support to remain available in the stores. The Ionic and Capacitor ecosystem also evolves, and migration between major framework versions requires expertise and knowledge of the changes involved. Prolink carried out exactly such a migration for the Croatian National Bank mHNB application, upgrading it to the latest version of the Ionic framework to keep it compatible and performant across all supported devices. Prolink offers a technical maintenance plan covering compatibility monitoring with new OS versions, regular dependency upgrades, security patches, crash and error monitoring through dedicated tools, and priority response in the event of critical issues affecting application availability or core functionality.
Your application today, reliable in five years
Prolink does not deliver applications. It delivers solutions that serve the business over the long term. Every project is built with an architecture that supports growth, technology that is maintained, and code that the next development team can understand and extend. Experience gained on projects for Institut IGH, AVIS rentacar, Skipper4you, Taxi Vozek and the Croatian National Bank is built into every new project as knowledge that does not need to be relearned. For international clients, Prolink offers the practical advantages of an EU-based development partner, GDPR compliance from the ground up, Central European timezone, fluent communication in English and German, development costs substantially more competitive than Western European agencies, and the ability to arrange an in-person meeting when the project requires it. If you want an application that will work just as well in two years as it does on launch day, get in touch, a conversation about scope and approach commits you to nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cross-platform application cost?
The price depends on functional complexity, the number of integrations with external systems and design requirements. Simpler applications with a clearly defined scope can be delivered for a smaller budget, while complex business solutions with multiple modules, offline functionality and deep integrations require a larger investment. Prolink does not publish fixed prices because every project carries its own requirements, instead a concrete proposal is prepared based on a brief description of needs, with no obligation.
How long does application development take?
A simpler application with a limited number of screens and one or two integrations can be ready for publication in two to three months. More complex business solutions are typically developed over four to eight months, depending on scope and the speed of decision-making on the client side. The discovery phase at the start of the project gives a more accurate timeline estimate than any general guideline.
Why Ionic and not React Native or Flutter?
Ionic is the technology in which Prolink has deep expertise and proven projects in production. React Native and Flutter are valid alternatives, but the choice of technology is not a matter of following trends, it is a matter of knowing the tool well enough to guarantee quality and long-term sustainability. Ionic in combination with Capacitor covers all the functional requirements that business applications typically have, and the maturity of the ecosystem means clients do not take on the risk of experimenting with unproven technology.
When is native development a better choice than cross-platform?
Native development is justified when an application requires intensive 3D rendering, advanced AR functionality or deep integration with platform-specific APIs not available through the Capacitor plugin ecosystem. For the vast majority of business applications, field tools, B2B solutions, customer-facing applications and internal systems, the cross-platform approach delivers equivalent functionality and user experience at lower overall development and maintenance cost. Prolink always recommends the approach that suits the specific project, not the one that is simpler for the developer.
What does collaboration look like during development?
After the agreed specification, development proceeds in two-week sprints, and at the end of each sprint the client receives a demo of the functionality developed in that period. This means the client always knows where the project stands and can give feedback before the next layer is built. Prolink uses project management tools that give clients transparent visibility into task status, and communication goes directly to the development team without intermediaries and without information getting lost in translation.
Who publishes the application on the App Store and Google Play?
Prolink handles the entire publication process, including preparation of the listing, screenshots, descriptions and metadata, ASO optimisation, and communication with Apple and Google review processes that can take from one day to several weeks depending on the platform and type of application. For App Store publication the client must have an active Apple Developer account, and for Google Play a Google Play Developer account. Prolink assists with setting up those accounts if the client does not yet have them.
What is included in application maintenance after launch?
Technical maintenance covers compatibility monitoring with new iOS and Android versions, regular Ionic and Capacitor dependency upgrades, security patches, crash and error monitoring, and priority response to critical issues affecting application availability or core functionality. Functional development, adding new capabilities and adapting existing ones, is agreed separately, either through a monthly development retainer or on a project basis, depending on the pace and scope of changes the client expects.
Can an existing application be migrated to Ionic?
Yes, migration is possible and Prolink carries it out when it is economically justified. Older applications written in technologies that are no longer actively maintained, applications that have become incompatible with new OS versions, or native applications whose ongoing development and maintenance is too expensive due to the need for two separate teams, all of these are scenarios in which migration to Ionic and Capacitor delivers long-term savings and brings technical debt down to a manageable level. Assessment of migration viability is part of the initial consultation.