Skip to content

What is uni-app

uni-app is a framework for developing all front-end applications using Vue.js. Developers write a single codebase that can be published to iOS, Android, Web (responsive), and various mini-programs (WeChat/Alipay/Baidu/ByteDance/Feishu/QQ/Kuaishou/DingTalk/Taobao), Quick App, and more platforms.

Features of uni-app

1. Cross-platform

uni-app achieves true develop once, deploy everywhere. Using uni-app for development, you only need to write one set of code to run on multiple platforms simultaneously, greatly improving development efficiency.

Supported platforms include:

  • iOS
  • Android
  • Web (H5)
  • WeChat Mini Program
  • Alipay Mini Program
  • Baidu Mini Program
  • ByteDance Mini Program (Toutiao, TikTok, Feishu, etc.)
  • QQ Mini Program
  • Kuaishou Mini Program
  • DingTalk Mini Program
  • Taobao Mini Program
  • Quick App
  • 360 Mini Program
  • JD Mini Program

2. Based on Vue

uni-app is completely based on Vue.js. If you are familiar with Vue.js, you will easily get started with uni-app.

  • Use Vue syntax to develop pages
  • Support Vue components and Vuex state management
  • Support Vue lifecycle
  • Support Vue template syntax and JSX

3. High Performance

uni-app has been extensively optimized for performance:

  • Components and APIs are designed to be more concise and efficient
  • Optimized runtime performance
  • Support for native rendering on App side (nvue)
  • Support for compiling to native mini-programs (non-Webview rendering)

4. Rich Ecosystem

uni-app has a rich ecosystem:

  • Plugin marketplace with a large number of components and templates
  • Support for NPM package management
  • Support for TypeScript
  • Support for extending capabilities with native plugins
  • Support for various UI libraries

Comparison with Other Frameworks

Compared with React Native

  • Syntax difference: uni-app is based on Vue, React Native is based on React
  • Performance: Both support native rendering
  • Platform support: uni-app supports more platforms, especially various mini-program platforms
  • Ecosystem: React Native has a richer ecosystem internationally, uni-app has a richer ecosystem domestically

Compared with Flutter

  • Language: uni-app uses JavaScript/TypeScript, Flutter uses Dart
  • Rendering: Flutter uses its own rendering engine, uni-app can use native rendering on App side
  • Learning curve: uni-app is easier to get started for developers familiar with Vue
  • Platform support: uni-app supports more platforms, especially various mini-program platforms

Compared with Taro

  • Framework foundation: uni-app is based on Vue, Taro supports multiple frameworks like React/Vue/Nerv
  • Compilation principle: Both are compilation frameworks, but with different implementation approaches
  • Platform support: Both support mainstream mini-program platforms and H5, but uni-app additionally supports App side

Application Scenarios

uni-app is suitable for the following scenarios:

  1. Cross-platform application development: Applications that need to cover iOS, Android, Web, and various mini-program platforms simultaneously
  2. Mini-program development: Focus on developing various mini-program applications
  3. E-commerce applications: E-commerce platforms that need to cover multiple platforms
  4. Content applications: News, community, and information applications
  5. Utility applications: Various practical Apps and mini-programs
  6. Enterprise applications: Management systems, OA systems, etc. used within enterprises

Development History of uni-app

  • Early 2018: uni-app was officially released
  • Second half of 2018: Support for WeChat Mini Program and H5
  • 2019: Gradually supported Alipay, Baidu, Toutiao and other mini-program platforms
  • 2020: Support for Vue 3.0, launched uni-app x compiler
  • 2021: Further improvement of ecosystem, plugin marketplace components exceeded 3000+
  • 2022: uni-app 3.0 released, fully embracing Vue 3.0
  • 2023: uni-app x officially released with significant performance improvements

Getting Started with uni-app

Ready to start using uni-app? Please continue reading the Getting Started chapter to learn how to create your first uni-app project.

一次开发,多端部署 - 让跨平台开发更简单