An increasing number of organizations are building cross platform mobile applications nowadays. When an enterprise builds mobile applications by targeting multiple devices and platforms, it can eliminate the impact on fluctuations on the worldwide market share of individual mobile operating systems. Also, it can get higher returns by making the app accessible to users regardless of their choice of mobile platform. Nowadays HTML5, along with JavaScript and CSS, is used widely by developers to create sophisticated mobile websites that function just like native mobile apps while being accessible on web browsers.

HTML5 further enables programmers to write the code once, and deploy the same code base across different platforms. The users can further access the HTML5 mobile apps without downloading them to their mobile devices again and again. HTML5 has features like client-side caching mechanism, offline application cache, and several new tags that help programmers to create modern applications without putting any extra time and effort. The developers also have option to use several HTML5 frameworks for mobile development.

Top 8 HTML5 Frameworks for Mobile Development

1. Kendo UI

Kendo UI enables HTML5 developers to create cross-platform mobile apps that look just like native applications. It comes with a single package that includes the framework, user interface and model-view-controller (MVC). The developers can use the framework to customize the user interface by emulating the native aesthetic of iOS, Android, Windows Phone or Blackberry. At the same time, they also have option to use more than 70 jQuery-based widgets, along with a grid, charts, editors and demo. The latest version of the framework also comes with several new features to help programmers to write custom apps by targeting different mobile devices. However, Kendo UI is a commercial framework launched by Telerik.

2. Twitter Bootstrap

Twitter Bootstrap enables programmers to build apps that work seamlessly with both desktop and mobile browsers. It further allows developers to write robust applications by manipulating HTML5 elements and CSS3 styles. The programmers can further use CSS media queries to scale and customize the app for multiple devices without rewriting the code. At the same time, they can easily boost the performance of the application by combining custom HTML5 and CSS components, and jQuery plugins. As Twitter Bootstrap is open source, it can be used by developers without worrying about licensing fees.

3) TopCoat

Adobe has come up with TopCoat, an open source HTML5 UI framework. Along with being more stylish than similar frameworks, TopCoat also enables programmers to build robust and fast mobile applications using HTML5 elements. It relies more on CSS libraries to meet the requirements of different developers. While using TopCoat, the users also have option to access a mobile stylesheet with larger touch targets for controls and custom build for hacks and themes. These features make it easier for programmers to design mobile apps compatible with multiple mobile platforms and devices.

4. JQuery Mobile

It is one of the most popular and widely used HTML5-based mobile UI frameworks. jQuery Mobile provides a user interface that makes it easier for developers to create mobile interface for various devices that reflect the features and aesthetics of the original desktop applications. The framework enables users to download an online tool, and use it for creating a custom bundle that includes only the components required by the project. The developers can further boost the functionality of the mobile application by adding predesigned layouts, widget elements and controls.

5. Sencha Touch

Sencha Touch is often regarded as one of the high-performing HTML5 mobile development frameworks. It enables programmers to create mobile apps for major mobile platforms like iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. Along with supporting Yahoo Query Language, Sencha Touch requires programmers to write UI code in JavaScript. It enables users to choose from a wide range of themes for specific mobile operating systems. Likewise, they can use a number of built-in components to add functionality to the mobile app without writing additional code. The framework further enables programmers to check the effect of changes made to the code simply by refreshing the web browser.

6. DHTMLX Touch

DHTMLX Touch is a HTML5-based JavaScript framework. The open source framework has the features to help programmers to create cross-platform mobile web applications rapidly. It further enables them to use an online Visual Designer to drag and drop components onto the mobile device layout. Further, they have option to set properties of each component using the same online interface. Also, they can use an online tool called Skin Builders to choose and customize skins for the application. DHTMLX Touch comes with a number of user interface widgets including grid widgets, form widgets, menu, video, popup, confirm, Google Maps, and Google List.

7. 52Framework

It is a framework for HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3. 52Frameworks comes with features to effectuate development of modern mobile web apps. It enables users to enhance the application’s functionality by taking advantage of HTML5 canvas elements, HTML5 video and CSS3 selectors. The programmers can further download the zip file provided by 52Projects to access both sample code and examples. The resources make it easier for beginners to understand and use the framework without putting any extra time and effort. The developers can further use version 2 of 52Framework to avail new features like HTML5 validation, improved HTML5 video support and option to write a mobile page using online HTML5.

8. Ionic Framework

Ionic is an advanced framework based on HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. The framework has been gaining popularity in the recent years. It is an open source framework and has a pro version too. Full-stack developers nowadays use the same to build progressive web apps and native mobile apps. It also has a lot of native plugins.

On the whole, mobile app developers have option to choose from a wide array of HTML5 frameworks. Some of these frameworks come with license, whereas others are open source and free. The features and functionality of individual HTML5 mobile development frameworks also differ. The developers must compare these frameworks according to specific needs of the project. They can choose the right HTML5 Frameworks For Mobile Development to make their next mobile app a great success.