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Compose Multiplatform

androidiosdesktopwebui-componentscross-platform
Trial

Compose Multiplatform is JetBrains' declarative UI framework that extends Android's Jetpack Compose to support multiple platforms including iOS, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and web. It enables developers to create native user interfaces using a single codebase while maintaining platform-specific look and feel.

Built on top of Kotlin Multiplatform, Compose Multiplatform uses a reactive programming model where UI is described as functions of state. The framework provides platform-specific implementations that render native UI components, ensuring optimal performance and adherence to platform design guidelines.

Justification for Categorization

Compose Multiplatform is placed in the TRIAL category because while it shows tremendous promise, it's still evolving rapidly with some platform implementations being more mature than others. The Android implementation is production-ready, desktop support is stable, but iOS and web implementations are still in alpha/experimental stages. The framework represents the future of cross-platform UI development with its modern declarative approach, but teams should carefully evaluate platform-specific requirements and stability needs. Early adopters report positive experiences, but the ecosystem is still developing compared to more established solutions.

Key Benefits

  • Declarative UI: Modern reactive programming model
  • Native Performance: Platform-specific rendering engines
  • Shared UI Logic: Consistent behavior across platforms
  • Hot Reload: Fast development iteration
  • Kotlin Integration: Seamless integration with Kotlin Multiplatform

Platform Maturity

  • Android: Production ready (Jetpack Compose)
  • Desktop: Stable and production ready
  • iOS: Alpha stage, rapid development
  • Web: Experimental, limited features

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