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Apache Flex VS Framework 7

Compare Apache Flex VS Framework 7 and see what are their differences

Apache Flex logo Apache Flex

Apache Flex is an open-source tool that allows users to build their own apps. Applications can be designed and created for a variety of mobile and traditional platforms. Read more about Apache Flex.

Framework 7 logo Framework 7

Full Featured HTML Framework For Building iOS Apps
  • Apache Flex Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13
  • Framework 7 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24

Apache Flex features and specs

  • Rich User Interface
    Apache Flex allows developers to create highly interactive web applications with rich UI elements and animations, enhancing user experience.
  • Cross-Platform Development
    Flex offers the ability to develop applications that run consistently across multiple platforms including browsers and desktops, saving time and effort in development.
  • Mature Framework
    Having been around since the early 2000s, Flex is a mature and stable framework, which means it has a rich set of features and is well-documented.
  • Component-Based Development
    Flex supports component-based development, allowing for modular and reusable code, which can streamline the development process and improve maintainability.
  • Strong Community Support
    Apache Flex has a strong community of developers who contribute to its continuous improvement and provide support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation.
  • Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Support
    Flex is compatible with several IDEs, including Adobe Flash Builder, which offers tools and features that enhance the development process.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Flex

  • Declining Popularity
    As newer technologies like HTML5, JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), and CSS advances have gained traction, the popularity of Apache Flex has waned.
  • Dependency on Flash
    Historically, Flex applications heavily relied on Adobe Flash Player, which is now obsolete and no longer supported by most modern browsers.
  • Performance Issues
    Flex applications can sometimes suffer from performance issues, particularly with complex user interfaces or large datasets, making the user experience less smooth.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For developers new to Flex or ActionScript, the learning curve can be quite steep, requiring time to become proficient and productive.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Flex does not provide strong native support for mobile applications, which is a significant drawback in today's mobile-first development environment.
  • Smaller Talent Pool
    Due to its declining usage, finding skilled Apache Flex developers can be challenging compared to more popular and current technologies.

Framework 7 features and specs

  • Comprehensive UI Components
    Framework7 provides a complete set of UI components like modals, pop-ups, action sheets, side panels, list views, etc., which help in rapid development.
  • Customizable
    It is highly customizable with both themes and custom styles, enabling developers to tailor the application to their specific needs.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Framework7 supports iOS and Android design guidelines, allowing for the creation of hybrid apps that look and feel native.
  • Flexibility
    It offers flexibility as it can be used with multiple frontend frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Svelte, or even without any framework.
  • Performance
    Optimized for high performance with features like virtual lists and smart DOM updates.
  • Documentation
    Framework7 has extensive documentation, which provides detailed guides and examples, making it easier for developers to get started.
  • Community Support
    There is a growing community and active forum, which is helpful for troubleshooting and finding best practices.

Possible disadvantages of Framework 7

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite extensive documentation, beginners may find it difficult to initially get accustomed to the framework's structure and conventions.
  • Size
    Framework7 is relatively large in size compared to other frameworks, which might affect load times for web apps.
  • Limited Third-Party Plugins
    Although the core library is comprehensive, the ecosystem of third-party plugins and extensions is smaller compared to other frameworks like React or Vue.js.
  • Dependency on HTML Layout
    It relies heavily on HTML structure, which can make the code harder to manage and less flexible in more complex applications.
  • iOS-Centric Design
    While it supports both iOS and Android, the default design leans heavily towards iOS, which might require extra customization for Android-centric apps.
  • Performance Overhead
    The extensive feature set can sometimes introduce performance overhead in less optimized use cases.

Apache Flex videos

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Framework 7 videos

Geometry Framework 7 - Review part 1

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Flex and Framework 7)
Development Tools
32 32%
68% 68
Developer Tools
45 45%
55% 55
JavaScript Framework
25 25%
75% 75
Development
100 100%
0% 0

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Framework 7 seems to be a lot more popular than Apache Flex. While we know about 15 links to Framework 7, we've tracked only 1 mention of Apache Flex. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Flex mentions (1)

Framework 7 mentions (15)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Flex and Framework 7, you can also consider the following products

Apache Cordova - Platform for building native mobile applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript

Ionic - Ionic is a cross-platform mobile development stack for building performant apps on all platforms with open web technologies.

jQuery Mobile - jQuery Mobile

React Native - A framework for building native apps with React

PhoneGap - Easily create apps using the web technologies you know and love: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Onsen UI - HTML5 Hybrid Mobile App UI Framework - work with Angular, React, Vue, Meteor & pure JavaScript. Material & Flat design.