What is the difference between Ionic and Xamarin?

Ionic Framework

It is an open-source UI toolkit. It is used for building high-quality Mobile apps, desktop apps, and progressive web apps. Ionic applications use web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The founder of Ionic Framework is Max Lynch, Ben Sperry, and Adam Bradley of Drifty Co. in 2013. The first version of the ionic framework was released in 2014 in march. It works in the concept of build once and run everywhere. The apps created in ionic frameworks run in every operating system. 

The main focus of the Ionic framework is the user experience that helps in handling the look and feel of the apps. Formally, the ionic framework has integration with angular but it also extends with support for Vue.js and React.js. 

Advantages in ionic framework

1. It is very easy to learn if you have a basic understanding of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. 
2. It has well-structured documentation which covers everything necessary for the developer. 
3. In Ionic applications write the code once and run it everywhere. 
4. The themes are highly customized in the ionic framework. 

Disadvantages in ionic framework

1. The performance of ionic applications is not performed all well as compared to native applications. 
2. The ionic applications are less secure than native applications.
3. It is not good for creating video game applications.

Xamarin Framework

It is an open-source and cross-platform application that builds android, iOS, Windows, and Mac apps with the help of the C# language. It was launched by Xamarin company in May 2011. In 2016, it was acquired by Microsoft. It provides free tool access with Microsoft Visual Studio IDE. The building, deploying, and debugging of the apps on the simulator are all done in the visual studio. The code written in Xamarin using in C# language can be used in other platforms as well. 

Advantages of Xamarin

1. It gives the best User interface experience and controls for creating a native app. 
2. It has very few bugs in the apps. 
3. It does not need a new API for different mobile applications. It can use the same API for different mobile applications.
4. The same code can be used over different multiple platforms.
5. It allows the developer to reuse the code for new applications.

Disadvantages of Xamarin

1. It is not suitable for creating heavy applications such as video games.
2. The app size of Xamarin is bigger as compared to other frameworks.
3. All .net libraries are supported by Xamarin. But it does not support all the 3rd part libraries for both android and iOS.