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# Apache Cordova vs NativeScript Comparison - What are their main differences?

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CordovaNativeScript[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Apache Cordova**
No pricing available

**NativeScript**
 **$249** Unlimited cloud builds/user/month · NativeScript Sidekick Business 

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Apache Cordova**
3 months

Based on 10 responses

**NativeScript**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**Apache Cordova**
Not enough reviews yet

**NativeScript**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**Apache Cordova**
$$$$$

**NativeScript**
Not enough reviews yet

Average Discount

**Apache Cordova**
Not enough reviews yet

**NativeScript**
Not enough reviews yet

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Apache Cordova**
Not enough data

**NativeScript**
Not enough data

Screenshots

**Apache Cordova**
 ![Apache Cordova screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/41605/uploads_2F67e9909e-7152-42c5-896e-ff76bdf2f702_2FApache_Cordova.png)

**NativeScript**
 ![NativeScript screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/74976/expirable-direct-uploads_2F5fef6231-2dc0-4175-88b4-0743e24d8e5f_2Fscreenshot_1.png)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Apache Cordova**

**8.0** /10

Based on 50 responses

**NativeScript**

**8.5** /10

Based on 12 responses

Ease of Use

**Apache Cordova**

**7.9** /10

Based on 49 responses

**NativeScript**

**7.9** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Setup

**Apache Cordova**

**7.5** /10

Based on 25 responses

**NativeScript**

**6.1** /10

Based on 6 responses

Ease of Admin

**Apache Cordova**

**7.5** /10

Based on 24 responses

**NativeScript**

**8.0** /10

Based on 5 responses

Quality of Support

**Apache Cordova**

**7.0** /10

Based on 44 responses

**NativeScript**

**8.0** /10

Based on 9 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Apache Cordova**

**8.1** /10

Based on 18 responses

**NativeScript**

**9.0** /10

Based on 5 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Apache Cordova**

**7.4** /10

Based on 50 responses

**NativeScript**

**8.9** /10

Based on 11 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Mobile Development Frameworks

**7.2** /10

Based on 15 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
83.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
14.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
1.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
83.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
14.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
1.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
69.2%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
23.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.7%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
69.2%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
23.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.7%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Apache Cordova](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566606/apache-cordova.png "Apache Cordova")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cordova/reviews)
Apache Cordova

Computer Software
38.2%

Information Technology and Services
14.5%

Program Development
7.3%

Internet
5.5%

Broadcast Media
3.6%

Other
30.9%

[![NativeScript](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4b0f58ad3f8b7119d23dab882df7a56d/nativescript.jpeg "NativeScript")](https://www.g2.com/products/nativescript/reviews)
NativeScript

Computer Software
30.8%

Computer & Network Security
15.4%

Restaurants
7.7%

Oil & Energy
7.7%

Management Consulting
7.7%

Other
30.8%

Alternatives

**Apache Cordova Alternatives**

 ![Bootstrap](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566608/bootstrap.png "Bootstrap")

[
Bootstrap
](/products/bootstrap/reviews)

 ![Ionic: An OutSystems Company](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f54ebf1ba2a05bda436fc50ad8453316/ionic-an-outsystems-company.svg "Ionic: An OutSystems Company")

[
Ionic: An OutSystems Company
](/products/ionic-an-outsystems-company/reviews)

 ![React Native](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1509756066/react-native.svg "React Native")

[
React Native
](/products/react-native/reviews)

 ![jQuery Mobile](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_cbf7ff02efe7d0dadca4c3178b21ee0c/jquery-mobile.png "jQuery Mobile")

[
jQuery Mobile
](/products/jquery-mobile/reviews)

**NativeScript Alternatives**

 ![Ionic: An OutSystems Company](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f54ebf1ba2a05bda436fc50ad8453316/ionic-an-outsystems-company.svg "Ionic: An OutSystems Company")

[
Ionic: An OutSystems Company
](/products/ionic-an-outsystems-company/reviews)

 ![React Native](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1509756066/react-native.svg "React Native")

[
React Native
](/products/react-native/reviews)

 ![Framework 7](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_65cf2abdabe05e7a628a59ce0fa5f22b/framework-7.png "Framework 7")

[
Framework 7
](/products/framework-7/reviews)

 ![Bootstrap](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566608/bootstrap.png "Bootstrap")

[
Bootstrap
](/products/bootstrap/reviews)

## Cordova vs NativeScript FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Cordova vs NativeScript?

Cordova and NativeScript differ most clearly in their approach to native access and performance, with Cordova relying on web technologies and NativeScript providing direct native API access.

| [Cordova](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cordova/reviews) | [NativeScript](https://www.g2.com/products/nativescript/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.2/5 (58 reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) |
| — | — |
| 7.5 | 6.1 |
| 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Develop with HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS for rapid cross-platform deployment | Direct native API access and strong code reuse with Angular/JavaScript |

### How do the pricing models of Cordova and NativeScript compare?

Reviewers consider Cordova and NativeScript to be at parity on value, as both lack a distinct Price/Cost dimension score.

- **Cordova:** In recent reviews, Cordova is praised for enabling rapid development and prototyping with familiar web technologies, reducing the need for specialized native developers.
- **NativeScript:** Reviewers highlight NativeScript's ability to decrease development costs by allowing code reuse across platforms and leveraging JavaScript/Angular skills.

### What are the best alternatives to Cordova and NativeScript?

The top three alternatives to Cordova and NativeScript are Ionic, Bootstrap, and React Native.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cordova](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-cordova/reviews) | 4.2/5 (58 reviews) | — | — | Rapid cross-platform development using web technologies |
| [NativeScript](https://www.g2.com/products/nativescript/reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) | — | — | Direct native API access and code reuse with Angular/JavaScript |
| [Ionic](https://www.g2.com/products/ionic-an-outsystems-company/reviews) | 4.4/5 (154 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Strong cross-platform capabilities and integration with Angular |
| [Bootstrap](https://www.g2.com/products/bootstrap/reviews) | 4.5/5 (154 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Widely adopted for responsive UI development |
| [React Native](https://www.g2.com/products/react-native/reviews) | 4.4/5 (143 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Native performance and large community support |

### Which Mobile Development Frameworks features should I prioritize when comparing Cordova and NativeScript?

Buyers should prioritize cross-platform development, native API access, ease of setup, quality of support, and code reuse when comparing Cordova and NativeScript.

- **Cross-platform development:** Cordova 8.0 (Meets Requirements), NativeScript 8.5 (Meets Requirements)
- **Native API access:** NativeScript is highlighted for direct native API access in reviewer feedback
- **Ease of setup:** Cordova 7.5, NativeScript 6.1
- **Quality of support:** Cordova 7.0, NativeScript 8.0
- **Code reuse:** Both products are praised for enabling code reuse, with NativeScript reviewers emphasizing Angular/JavaScript integration

### What are the pros and cons of Cordova vs NativeScript?

Cordova's headline strength is rapid cross-platform development with web technologies, while NativeScript's is direct native API access and strong code reuse with Angular/JavaScript.

- **Cordova strengths:** Rapid development and prototyping, large plugin ecosystem, strong community support, and the ability to use familiar web technologies (HTML5, JavaScript, CSS).
- **Cordova trade-offs:** Performance can lag behind fully native apps, plugin compatibility and maintenance issues, and a steeper learning curve for advanced native functionality.
- **NativeScript strengths:** Direct access to native APIs, strong code reuse with Angular/JavaScript, and improved native performance compared to webview-based frameworks.
- **NativeScript trade-offs:** Smaller community, fewer plugins, and a more challenging initial setup and learning curve.

### Is Cordova or NativeScript better for small businesses?

Cordova is a better fit for small businesses, as it is frequently recommended for rapid development and lower resource requirements.

- **Cordova:** Reviewers consistently highlight Cordova's suitability for small to mid-sized projects, rapid prototyping, and leveraging existing web development skills to reduce costs and time to market.
- **NativeScript:** Reviewers note that NativeScript reduces the need for multiple platform specialists, but mention a steeper learning curve and less community support for small teams.

### Which Mobile Development Frameworks platform has better integrations?

Reviewers do not favor either Cordova or NativeScript for integrations, as no recent reviews cite specific third-party integrations for either product.

- **Cordova:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **NativeScript:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.

### How do Cordova and NativeScript compare on customer support?

NativeScript scores materially higher than Cordova on Quality of Support, with an 8.0 versus 7.0 score.

- **Cordova:** Reviewers describe support as adequate but note challenges with plugin maintenance and documentation.
- **NativeScript:** Reviewers highlight responsive support and helpful documentation, though some mention difficulty finding help for very specific issues.

### Which is easier to implement, Cordova or NativeScript?

Cordova is easier to implement than NativeScript, with a 7.5 versus 6.1 Ease of Setup score.

- **Cordova:** Reviewers frequently mention simple setup for web developers and rapid onboarding, though some note challenges with advanced configuration and plugin management.
- **NativeScript:** Reviewers cite a steeper learning curve and more complex initial setup, but appreciate the benefits once configured.

## Apache Cordova vs NativeScript

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found them equally easy to use. However, Apache Cordova is easier to set up , while reviewers preferred administration and ease of doing business with NativeScript overall.

- Reviewers felt that NativeScript meets the needs of their business better than Apache Cordova.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that NativeScript is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of NativeScript over Apache Cordova.