How IBM Worklight is different as compare to PhoneGap

Whenever it comes to mobile application development, today people are using tools to create the Cross-Platform Mobile Applications. And the first name that comes to the mind is PhoneGap. It’s an Open source tool that acts as a bridge between the individual mobile OS SDKs and common development practices. But when IBM acquired Worklight and comes in the market with advanced technology add-on then it raised a very important question of discussion; how IBM Worklight is different as compare to PhoneGap.

In today’s article we will throw some light over its differences, features and which application is better. 

First of all we have to understand that both of them are not the same thing. Though they develop mobile apps for a cross-platform mobile apps but there are major differences in both of them. PhoneGap is an open-source tool that acts as a bridge between individual mobile OD SDKs and common development practices. And this tool supports multiple mobile OS like iOS, android, Blackberry, Windows etc. It allows you to create mobile apps with HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript; and has the ability of wrapping up your work for definite mobile OS. Well, Worklight offers the same things but in a better way, like it’s suitable for the development of mobile applications for both consumers and enterprises. 

It works for different SDKs and Mobile OS like iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry and is compatible with HTML5, web, hybrid and native apps etc. which is an added advantage to the tool. In this it’s different from PhoneGap by an added feature like WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) which is not present in the PhoneGap.

IBM Worklight mobile app development controls PhoneGap and adds to its capabilities as a deeper mobile solution. IBM Worklight actually comes packed with PhoneGap. And it extends its reach as a full Mobile Application Platform as opposed to just being a script library or mobile app packaging client.

IBM Worklight vs PhoneGap –

Feature	PhoneGap	IBM Worklight
Supports HTML5, CSS3, Java Script	Yes	Yes
3rd Party extensible	Yes	Yes
Development IDE/platform	No	Yes
WYSIWYG	No	Yes
Access native common controls tab bar, options menu, and more	No	Yes
Build
Cross-platform support	Yes	Yes
Web apps	Yes	Yes
Hybrid apps	Yes	Yes
Native apps	No	Yes
Desktop apps	No	Yes
Integrated shell coding	No	Yes
Deployment and Management
Application server	No	Yes
Mobile browser simulator	No	Yes
Authentication framework	No	Yes
Integrated backend connection	No	Yes
Encrypted offline storage	No	Yes
Runtime skinning	No	Yes
Unified push notifications	No	Yes
SMS delivery	No	Yes
Direct update	No	Yes
Version management	No	Yes
BI reports integration	No	yes

P.S. The comparison is referred from - http://www.open-logix.com/enterprise-mobility-blog/ibm-worklight-and-phonegap-comparison/

The above table shows all the major difference and how IBM Worklight is better than the PhoneGap. Though IBM Worklight comes packaged with PhoneGap but it offers all the extended features and benefits which makes it standing ahead in the crowd of mobile apps development. More importantly it saves time in every phase of development and it uses minimum resources in the development period which saves lots of cost. It is secured and well-coordinated which makes it really best choice for any enterprise for mobile application development.

For more information regarding IBM mobile applications, you can visit their website (http://www-01.ibm.com/software/mobile-solutions/)