IBM MobileFirst vs Ionic comparison

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IBM MobileFirst

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM MobileFirst and Ionic based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Mobile Development Platforms solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM MobileFirst vs. Ionic Report (Updated: October 2024).

IBM MobileFirst vs. Ionic

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Categories and Ranking

IBM MobileFirst

Ranking in Mobile Development Platforms

13th

Average Rating

8.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Mobile App Platforms (6th)

Ionic

Ranking in Mobile Development Platforms

8th

Average Rating

8.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Mobile Development Platforms category, the mindshare of IBM MobileFirst is 1.6%, down from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ionic is 7.7%, down from 8.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Mobile Development Platforms

Featured Reviews

it_user631749

Mobile Architect at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

Mar 22, 2017

It provides access management for the enterprise user as well as for the consumer.

One of the most valuable features is that we are using the IBM MobileFirst, which is actually providing a gateway to all the mobile resources either for the employees or for the consumers. So, that is very important for us It is very beneficial as without this solution, we have to go out for…

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Dansteve Adekanbi

Senior Frontend Developer Consultant at Modus Create

Mar 17, 2024

Great user acceptance and reliability, multiple teams not required, with prompt customer service

As a developer, I would say one of the improvements is more plugins. More plugins give you the ability to do more interactions with the framework over the library. As a user, I would say more flexibility in terms of look and feel. So far Ionic is very fluid. You might not really know, it is web-based technology. I know recently it has gone through a lot of updates, but it can also be improved and become stronger. Ionic allows you to get the best customization ever, but there is nothing like having more. The more customization you get, the easier it is for you to be able to build more quality apps.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"IBM MobileFirst has one of the most feature-rich admin panels."

"With help of this product, we have been able to develop mobile applications without having complete knowledge of each mobile OS's native programming technology. App development, delivery, and code management have been very efficient using this product."

"I like Its capability for developing hybrid applications, with an ability to integrate device-native code as well"

"The solution can support many languages."

"The most valuable feature of Ionic is the ease of use and the simple connection of the applications. Additionally, the documentation is good in the Ionic application, and beginners can easily learn and download their own application using Ionic. Everyone can easily switch out, their domain, from native applications to hybrid applications."

"Ionic's best feature is that it's not necessary to write your own custom codes as all the hybrid is provided by Angular."

"The main value of this solution for our business, is that it is a hybrid product that allows us to write code that is compatible with IOS, Android, and web documents."

"The solution is secure, reliable, and packed with features so we can easily implement apps even in the most complex situations."

"Being able to have one set of code is valuable. I don't have to recode for different platforms. I don't have to recode for Xcode, Angular, or Android. So, the biggest feature for me is that it's a hybrid system, and I can have one set of code, and then the tool sets that are in there convert my code for Xcode or Play Store. It makes work a lot easier."

"It's very flexible for UI development."

"The most valuable feature is the one code deployed to all solutions, which means you do not need to have multiple teams."

More Ionic pros

Cons

"I would like to see improved support for native device functions."

"There are issues with push notifications, especially for Windows mobile apps. JSONStore also crashes abruptly at times."

"It would be good if the mobile version uses something other than JavaScript and HTML."

"The navigation within this solution could be improved; it is currently quite complicated to move through the different tabs."

"Ionic's UI component doesn't always look like the native mobile app."

"As a developer, I would say one of the improvements is more plugins."

"There could be better support for augmented reality and other things. Geolocation and background app activity are some of the things that are a little more clumsy at the moment and could be improved."

"The documentation could be improved."

"There is a lack of a community environment."

"It would be better if it had a speed niche system. There are a lot of things we need that weren't in the latest version. But I think they will be adding something."

More Ionic cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cost depends upon various factors. Size of the overall application and product usage matter a lot. For an enterprise-grade application, this certainly comes out as an economical solution. However, for small-scale applications, it can turn out to be on the higher side."

"You can use the free version, but if you still want to buy it, the price starts from $499/month."

"Ionic is an open source solution, and there are no hidden fees."

"We pay 50,000 dinars per month."

"The starting cost for the enterprise option is around one hundred dollars per month."

"The solution's open source option is free with no licensing fees."

"Ionic is an open-source solution, it is free."

"I think most of the plugins for Ionic are open source, and you can do a lot with many of the basic features. However, if you need to use a premium plugin for something like extra scroll list functionality, Ionic will ask for a certain sum of money."

"You don't have to pay anything except for certain projects. For example, Appflow has some costs related to it but you don't have to use it. You can also pay for extra support."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

24%

Computer Software Company

19%

Real Estate/Law Firm

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

19%

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about Ionic?

Being able to have one set of code is valuable. I don't have to recode for different platforms. I don't have to recode for Xcode, Angular, or Android. So, the biggest feature for me is that it's a ...

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What needs improvement with Ionic?

When they jumped from version 3 to version 4, 5, and 6, they introduced something called Capacitor, which is basically the tool that you use to convert your code to Xcode, etc. They have a few plug...

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What is your primary use case for Ionic?

We are using it for mobile applications that we are publishing to iOS, Huawei, and Google Play Store. It's a very nice hybrid framework for mobile applications.

See all answers

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Compared 39% of the time

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Compared 31% of the time

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Xamarin Platform vs Ionic

Compared 38% of the time

Appium vs Ionic

Compared 12% of the time

OutSystems vs Ionic

Compared 11% of the time

Mendix vs Ionic

Compared 10% of the time

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Product Reports

Mobile App Platforms

Download IBM MobileFirst product report

Download Ionic product report

Also Known As

MobileFirst, Worklight

No data available

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IBM

Video not available

Overview

IBM Worklight helps organizations extend their business to mobile devices.

Ionic is an open-source UI toolkit for developing high-quality mobile and desktop apps with web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Ionic focuses on the frontend UX and UI interaction of an app – UI controls, interactions, gestures, and animations. It is simple to learn and can be used without any frontend framework by utilizing a simple script inclusion.

While previous versions of Ionic were strongly connected to Angular, version 4.x of the framework was re-engineered to serve as an independent Web Component library, with integrations for the newest JavaScript frameworks, such as Angular. Ionic works well in most frontend frameworks, including React and Vue, however some frontend frameworks require a shim to enable full Web Component support.

The official Ionic CLI, or Command Line Interface, is a tool that enables developers to easily construct Ionic apps and offers a number of useful commands. The CLI installs and updates Ionic and also includes a built-in development server, build and debugging tools, and much more. If you are an Appflow member, you may manage your account and carry out cloud builds and deployments via the CLI.

Ionic Features

Ionic has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

One codebase: Ionic is the first mobile app stack that allows web developers to use a single codebase to create apps for all major app stores and the mobile web. Ionic apps look and feel natural on every device thanks to Adaptive Styling.
High performance: Ionic is designed to run and behave well on the latest mobile devices, using best practices such as efficient hardware accelerated transitions and touch-optimized gestures.
Simple, clean design: Ionic is built to function and display well across all popular mobile platforms and devices. You'll be building in style thanks to pre-made components, typography, and an attractive (but flexible) base theme that adjusts to each platform.
Native and web-friendly: Ionic uses native SDKs and emulates native app UI guidelines to combine native app device features and UI standards with the full flexibility and power of the open web. Ionic operates as a Progressive Web App in the browser or deploys natively via Capacitor (or Cordova).

Ionic Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Ionic. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Cross-platform: Create and distribute apps with a single code base. Apps run natively on iOS, Android, desktop, and the web as Progressive Web Apps. Publish once and go anywhere.

Based on web standards: Ionic is developed using cutting-edge web APIs like Custom Elements and Shadow DOM on top of reliable, industry-standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Ionic components have a solid API as a result, and they aren't subject to the whims of a single platform vendor.

Good design: Ionic is made to operate and look great right out of the box across all platforms. Start with typography, interactive paradigms, pre-designed elements, and an attractive (yet extensible) base theme.

Simplicity: Ionic was created with simplicity in mind, making it fun, simple to learn, and available to almost anyone with basic web development skills.

Sample Customers

UniCredit Business Integrated Solutions, Gruppo Unipol, Raymond James Financial, Toshiba GCS, CST, ABK-Systeme GmbH, BNP Paribas

MRA, Napa Group, Sworkit, Airbus, Sense Corp, Interactive Gaming Company, Pacifica, Untapp'd, Diesel, National Museum of African American History and Culture

IBM MobileFirst vs. Ionic