Xamarin is a mobile application development platform that allows developers to create native apps for Android and iOS using a single codebase in C#. Founded in 2011, Xamarin quickly gained recognition and was acquired by Microsoft in 2016. Since then, it has experienced steady growth and has become the top choice for many mobile app developers (view).


Advantages of Xamarin over its Alternatives
While there are several alternatives in the market for cross-platform mobile app development, Xamarin stands out for several compelling reasons that make it a superior choice. Here are some of the most prominent advantages of Xamarin:

1. Unified Programming Language (C#): One of Xamarin's most significant advantages is that it uses C# as its primary programming language. C# is a modern, versatile, and widely-used programming language that offers a wide range of libraries and tools. This allows developers to leverage their prior experience with C# and .NET for mobile app development, speeding up the development process and reducing the learning curve.
2. Full Access to Native APIs: Unlike some cross-platform development alternatives, Xamarin provides full access to the native APIs of Android and iOS. This means developers can make the most of each platform's specific capabilities and create apps with a high degree of integration and performance. They are not limited by excessive abstraction layers.
3. Native User Interface: With Xamarin, it is possible to create native user interfaces that look and feel like native apps. This is crucial for delivering a consistent and high-quality user experience. The controls and views provided by Xamarin translate directly into the native controls of each platform, ensuring an authentic look and behavior.
4. Maintenance Ease: Having a single codebase for multiple platforms simplifies app maintenance significantly. When an update or bug fix is made, the changes apply consistently to all platforms. This reduces the chance of errors and ensures that all app versions stay synchronized.
5. Community and Ecosystem: Xamarin boasts an active community and a wealth of resources available. This includes open-source libraries, plugins, tutorials, and discussion forums. Developers can access a wide range of resources to aid in their development, making problem-solving and continuous improvement of the app easier.
In this article, we will explore five companies that offer Xamarin templates to expedite the mobile app development process.

Syncfusion

Syncfusion is a leading provider of mobile and web application development components and tools, offering a wide range of Xamarin templates. Their template collection includes ready-to-use designs and controls that can significantly accelerate app development. Furthermore, Syncfusion provides templates for e-commerce apps, data management apps, fitness tracking apps, and more. These templates are designed to seamlessly function on both Android and iOS platforms, saving developers valuable time and resources.

Telerik (Progress)

Telerik, a part of the Progress company, is renowned for its mobile and web application development tools. They offer Xamarin templates, including blank app templates, master-detail app templates, and navigation app templates, among others. These templates provide a solid foundation for various types of applications, from productivity apps to social media apps. Telerik also offers a comprehensive development platform that includes user interface controls and reporting tools to complement their templates.

DevCraft (Progress)

DevCraft is another offering from Progress that focuses on mobile and web application development. Similar to Telerik, DevCraft provides an extensive selection of Xamarin templates to help developers quickly kickstart their projects. DevCraft's templates encompass solutions for project management apps, order tracking apps, survey apps, and more. Additionally, DevCraft offers advanced user interface components like charts and dashboards that seamlessly integrate with their templates.

Xamalot

Xamalot is a platform specializing in creating Xamarin.Forms templates. They offer a wide variety of templates to assist developers in crafting mobile applications with attractive aesthetics and functionality. Their templates include customizable designs for news apps, food and beverage apps, travel apps, and more. Xamalot also prioritizes usability and user experience, reflected in their templates designed to be intuitive and visually appealing.

Dribbble

Dribbble is an online community of creative designers who share their works and projects. While Dribbble itself does not offer Xamarin templates, it serves as a valuable resource for design inspiration. Many designers share screenshots of their mobile app designs on Dribbble, and Xamarin developers can draw inspiration from these designs to create their own custom templates. Additionally, some design and development companies also publish their Xamarin templates on Dribbble for others to use.

Conclusion

Xamarin templates are a valuable tool for mobile app developers, as they expedite the development process and provide a solid foundation for creating functional and visually appealing apps. The companies mentioned in this article offer a wide variety of templates spanning from productivity apps to entertainment apps, allowing developers to find the right template for their needs. Whether you are developing an e-commerce app, a fitness tracking app, or anything else, these companies offer options that can save you time and effort on your Xamarin app development project.