Top Pitfalls in Cross-Platform App Boilerplate Projects
May 9, 2025
Launching your app on iOS, Android, and the web at the same time sounds like a dream. You reach more users, move faster, and save money—at least, that's the promise of cross-platform development. But the reality? Many teams hit the same roadblocks, wasting months and burning out before their app ever sees the light of day.
In this guide, we'll break down the seven most common mistakes teams make when building cross-platform apps. For each pitfall, you'll get real-world examples, practical tips, and clear steps to help you avoid disaster. Whether you're a solo founder or a growing team, these lessons will help you launch faster and with less stress.
1. Treating All Platforms the Same
It's easy to think, "If it works on one platform, it'll work everywhere." But every operating system—iOS, Android, and web—has its own rules, quirks, and user expectations. Ignoring these differences can lead to buggy features, poor reviews, and frustrated users.
Example:
- An app that looks great on iOS might have buttons that are too small on Android, or navigation that feels awkward on the web.
- Notifications might work perfectly on Android but never show up on iOS because of background process restrictions.
Why does this happen?
- Each platform has unique UI conventions, system behaviors, and technical limitations.
- Features like push notifications, background tasks, and permissions are handled differently.
How to avoid it:
- Study the official design guidelines for each platform (Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, Google's Material Design, etc.).
- Test your app natively on real devices—not just in simulators.
- Use platform-specific code or components when needed, even if it means a little extra work.
Pro Tip: Want to know what makes an app truly "App Store Ready"? Check out What Makes a SaaS App 'App Store Ready'? for a deep dive.
2. Underestimating Payments and Subscriptions
Handling payments is never as simple as copying code from one platform to another. While Stripe might cover your needs on the web, iOS and Android have their own in-app purchase systems—StoreKit for Apple and Google Play Billing for Android. Each comes with unique flows, compliance rules, and edge cases.
Example:
- A team launches with Stripe on the web, only to discover that Apple requires all digital goods to go through their in-app purchase system. The team scrambles to rebuild their payment flow, delaying launch by weeks.
Why does this happen?
- App stores have strict rules about how payments are handled, especially for digital goods and subscriptions.
- Each system has its own APIs, user flows, and review requirements.
How to avoid it:
- Plan your payment architecture from the start. Decide which payment providers you'll use for each platform.
- Read the latest guidelines from Apple and Google about in-app purchases and subscriptions.
- Test every payment flow on real devices, including edge cases like failed payments or subscription renewals.
Pro Tip: For a step-by-step guide, see How to Add In-App Purchases to Your Web, iOS, and Android App with One Codebase.
3. Ignoring Offline and Local-First Needs
Today's users expect your app to work even when their internet connection is spotty—or gone. If you don't plan for offline use and local data storage, you risk data loss, angry reviews, and user churn.
Example:
- A user fills out a long form on your app while on the subway. The connection drops, and all their data is lost. They leave a one-star review and never come back.
Why does this happen?
- Many teams assume users will always be online, especially if they're used to building web apps.
- Syncing data between local storage and the cloud can be tricky, especially when conflicts arise.
How to avoid it:
- Use local-first data storage solutions that sync with the cloud when a connection is available.
- Design your app to gracefully handle offline states—show clear messages, queue actions, and sync automatically when back online.
- Test your app in airplane mode and with slow or unreliable connections.
Learn more: Why Local-First and Offline-Ready Apps Are the Future (and How to Build Them Fast).
4. Skipping Real-Time Sync
Modern SaaS users expect their data to update instantly—across all their devices. If your app only updates with manual refreshes or slow REST API calls, users will see stale data and get frustrated.
Example:
- Two users collaborate on a shared document. One makes changes, but the other doesn't see them until they refresh the app. Confusion and data conflicts follow.
Why does this happen?
- Real-time sync requires more than just a basic API. You need event-driven updates, websockets, or real-time databases.
- Many teams underestimate the complexity and skip it until users complain.
How to avoid it:
- Use real-time databases (like Firebase, Supabase, or Hasura) or add websocket/event-driven updates to your backend.
- Design your UI to show when data is syncing or out of date.
- Test with multiple users and devices to catch sync issues early.
See also: Building a Realtime, Synchronized User Experience for SaaS Apps.
5. Overlooking App Store Review Requirements
Getting your app into the App Store or Google Play isn't just about uploading a build. Each platform has a detailed review process, and missing even small requirements can lead to costly rejections.
Example:
- A team submits their app, only to be rejected because they missed a required privacy policy or used a forbidden API. Each rejection adds days or weeks to their launch timeline.
Why does this happen?
- App store guidelines change often, and it's easy to miss new requirements.
- Some features (like background location or camera access) require special permissions and justifications.
How to avoid it:
- Read the latest review guidelines for each platform before submitting.
- Use checklists to verify you've included all required assets, permissions, and documentation.
- Test your app for performance, privacy, and compliance issues.
Must-read: A Developer's Guide to Passing App Store Review on the First Try.
6. Neglecting Performance and OTA Updates
Users expect apps to be fast, smooth, and lightweight. If your app is slow to start, lags during use, or takes up too much space, users will leave bad reviews—or leave altogether. Over-the-air (OTA) updates let you fix bugs and ship features without waiting for app store approval, but many teams skip this step.
Example:
- An app launches with a large bundle size and slow startup. Users complain, but the team can't push fixes quickly because every update needs app store approval.
Why does this happen?
- Teams focus on features and forget to optimize performance and bundle size.
- OTA update systems (like CodePush or Expo Updates) are left out until it's too late.
How to avoid it:
- Profile your app for performance on all platforms. Optimize images, code, and dependencies.
- Set up OTA updates early so you can push critical fixes and improvements instantly.
- Monitor app size and startup time as part of your release checklist.
How-to: How to Future-Proof Your App with Over-the-Air Updates.
7. DIY Everything (and Burning Out)
Building everything from scratch—payments, notifications, authentication, real-time sync—sounds heroic, but it's a fast track to burnout. Most teams underestimate the time, edge cases, and maintenance involved.
Example:
- A small team tries to build their own authentication and notification system. Months later, they're still fixing bugs and haven't shipped their core product.
Why does this happen?
- It's tempting to avoid third-party tools to save money or for more control.
- The hidden complexity of "simple" features eats up time and energy.
How to avoid it:
- Use proven boilerplates and third-party services for common features.
- Focus your energy on what makes your app unique.
- Don't be afraid to invest in tools that save you time and reduce risk.
Shortcut: How to Convert Your Website Into a Cross-Platform App?
Conclusion: Build Smarter, Launch Faster
Avoiding these seven pitfalls can save you months of work, thousands of dollars, and countless headaches. Cross-platform development is powerful, but only if you respect the differences between platforms, plan for complexity, and use the right tools.
Key takeaways:
- Don't treat all platforms the same—embrace their differences.
- Plan payments, offline support, and real-time sync from day one.
- Follow app store guidelines closely and optimize for performance.
- Don't try to build everything yourself—leverage proven solutions.
Ready to skip the headaches and launch your app the smart way? Check out the MoneyMouth boilerplate and see how you can build a production-ready cross-platform app in record time.