Ionic Cordova with Angular vs Ionic Capacitor with Angular

Ionic Framework

Introduction

In the bustling world of web and mobile app development, Angular with Ionic has made a notable name for itself. But with the advent of Ionic Capacitor, developers find themselves at crossroads, struggling to choose between Ionic Cordova and Ionic Capacitor. In this detailed comparison, we’ll help you identify which path suits you best — Ionic Cordova with Angular or Ionic Capacitor with Angular?

Ionic Cordova vs Ionic Capacitor with Angular: The Basic Differences

First and foremost, both Ionic Cordova and Ionic Capacitor serve as bridges between web apps and native APIs, enabling you to create hybrid mobile apps using Angular. But what sets them apart?

Ionic Cordova, a tried and tested tool, has been around since the inception of Ionic. On the contrary, Ionic Capacitor, an in-house project by the Ionic team, is the new kid on the block but with promising features and capabilities.

Ionic Cordova with Angular: The Tried and True

Ionic Cordova has been a cornerstone of Ionic framework. When used with Angular, it offers a flexible, robust, and open-source platform for creating hybrid mobile applications. Ionic Cordova’s major advantage lies in its expansive plugin library, which provides countless functionalities.

Ionic Capacitor with Angular: The Rising Star

While new in the game, Ionic Capacitor has turned heads due to its impressive modern features and developer-friendly environment. When combined with Angular, it bridges the gap between web and native while providing an enhanced plugin ecosystem. Its native-centric approach makes it an attractive choice for modern developers.

Key Differences to Consider

Let’s delve into the key differences that can influence your choice between Ionic Cordova and Ionic Capacitor.

1. Plugin Ecosystem: Both platforms have extensive plugins, but Cordova’s mature ecosystem outshines Capacitor’s still-growing library. However, Capacitor does support Cordova plugins, which somewhat levels the playing field.

2. Native Project Management: Capacitor champions the ‘code once, run anywhere’ ideology, allowing you to run the same codebase for multiple platforms. It directly integrates with native IDEs, giving a smoother experience than Cordova.

3. Community and Support: Ionic Cordova enjoys extensive community support due to its long tenure. But with Ionic’s backing, Capacitor is quickly catching up and building a strong community.

Conclusion

Choosing between Ionic Cordova with Angular and Ionic Capacitor with Angular will depend on your project needs, resources, and comfort level. Cordova, with its mature ecosystem, offers reliability and a plethora of plugins. On the other hand, Capacitor, with its modern capabilities and direct native integration, promises a future-proof development environment.