Top Popular Apps Built with Xamarin

In the dynamic world of mobile app development, choosing the right framework can make all the difference. This article explores the realm of Xamarin, a cross-platform development framework backed by Microsoft. We’ll delve into what Xamarin is, its market usage, why companies favor it, and finally, showcase six popular apps that owe their success to […]

What is Xamarin?

Xamarin, born in 2011, stands tall as an open-source framework for cross-platform mobile app development. Its uniqueness lies in empowering developers to share up to 90% of code, enabling the creation of native apps for Android, iOS, and Windows—all in C# and .NET. The result? Faster development and a competitive edge in time to market.

A Quick Glimpse at the Market Usage of Xamarin

A Quick Glimpse at the Market Usage of Xamarin

Before we explore the success stories, let’s take a moment to appreciate Xamarin’s impact on the market. With over 13,000 apps and 2 billion downloads, Xamarin boasts an average market share of 1.88%. Notably, business-related applications claim the highest market share at 6.54%. The framework’s strength is further evident with a robust community of over 60,000 contributors from 37,000 companies.

Why do Companies Use the Xamarin Framework?

Understanding the allure of Xamarin is key. Here are some compelling reasons why companies opt for this framework:

Single Technological Stack

Xamarin simplifies the development landscape by using a single language—C#—to build apps for all major platforms. This means no need to switch between environments, allowing developers to streamline their workflow in Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code.

Faster Development

By leveraging a single tech stack, Xamarin facilitates the sharing of 80-90% of the codebase. This accelerates the development cycle, ensuring that apps reach the market swiftly and efficiently.

Native User Experience

Xamarin ensures a user experience close to native by utilizing native APIs and toolkits. Distinguishing between a native and Xamarin application becomes a challenging task due to the framework’s commitment to performance.

Low-Cost Development

Xamarin eliminates the need for multiple development teams. Instead of hiring native iOS and Android developers separately, companies can work with a Xamarin development team to create, test, and release apps across platforms, resulting in cost savings.

Strong Community Support

Boasting a community of developers and companies, Xamarin provides a supportive environment. Engaging with this community through platforms like the Xamarin blog, Xamarin Q&A, and Stack Overflow is easy, offering valuable insights and assistance.

Top 6 Apps Built with Xamarin

1. FreshDirect

FreshDirect, a leading online grocery delivery service in the USA, chose Xamarin to cater to diverse customer demands. Transitioning from platform-specific languages to C# accelerated their time to market, enabling users to order fresh produce, chef-made meals, and more.

2. UPS

United Parcel Service (UPS), the world’s largest package delivery service, turned to Xamarin for enhanced productivity. Leveraging the framework, UPS experienced reduced lines of code and faster time to market, allowing users to manage shipments and track parcels effortlessly.

3. Olo

Olo, renowned for developing digital ordering and delivery apps for over 150 restaurants, embraced Xamarin for a faster time to market and an unparalleled user experience. Xamarin’s efficiency allowed Olo to create apps for both iOS and Android seamlessly.

4. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines, serving over 44 million customers annually, adopted Xamarin to build cross-platform native iOS, Android, and Windows apps. This facilitated convenient exploration of options, booking trips, and accessing flight details, all within a single development team.

5. BBC Good Food

BBC Good Food, a global food media brand, chose Xamarin to cater to the mobile shift of its customers. The framework enabled convenient access to content across iOS, Android, and UWP applications, ensuring a seamless experience for users interested in recipes and food-related content.

6. Novarum DX

Novarum DX, a diagnostic test designer, leveraged Xamarin to build apps for detecting diseases and hazards. Using a single development team, Novarum DX achieved remarkable success, developing a platform based on Xamarin for various projects with strict quality and regulatory requirements.

Hire Expert-Vetted Xamarin Developers from InfoStride

If you’re looking to hire expert-vetted Xamarin developers, it’s crucial to follow a systematic approach to ensure you find the right candidates for your project. Here are some steps you can consider:

Define Your Project Requirements: Clearly outline the scope and requirements of your Xamarin project. Identify the specific skills, experience, and expertise you need in a developer.
Search for Candidates: Explore various platforms to find Xamarin developers. Websites like LinkedIn, GitHub, and specialized job boards are good places to start. You can also consider reaching out to tech communities and forums.
Use a Recruitment Agency: If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can engage with a recruitment agency like InfoStride, which specializes in vetting and providing skilled developers.
Review Portfolios and Resumes: Look for developers with a strong background in Xamarin development. Review their portfolios and resumes to assess their previous projects, skills, and achievements.
Technical Assessment: Conduct technical assessments or interviews to gauge the candidates’ Xamarin skills. This can include coding exercises, problem-solving scenarios, or discussions about past projects.
Check References: Contact previous employers or clients to gather feedback on the candidate’s work ethic, communication skills, and overall performance.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial in a development team. Ensure that the Xamarin developers you’re considering can communicate clearly and collaborate effectively.
Cultural Fit: Consider the cultural fit of the developers with your team and organization. Assess their ability to adapt to your work environment and values.
Negotiate Terms: Once you’ve identified suitable candidates, negotiate terms including salary, working hours, and other relevant aspects of the employment agreement.
Onboarding: Provide a comprehensive onboarding process to integrate the new Xamarin developers into your team and familiarize them with your project and workflow.

By following these steps, you increase your chances of hiring Xamarin developers who not only have the technical skills but also align with your project requirements and company culture.

Conclusion

Xamarin stands out as a catalyst for modern, performant cross-platform applications with near-native performance. The success stories of FreshDirect, UPS, Olo, Alaska Airlines, BBC Good Food, and Novarum DX highlight the framework’s prowess in delivering unmatched user experiences and faster time to market.