Comparative Analysis of Web-to-Mobile App Conversion: Leveraging Nuxt, Capacitor and Java

Mobile app development has advanced significantly, with developers navigating the trade-offs between native and cross-platform approaches to meet diverse user requirements. This study investigates the comparative strengths of Java, a robust and widely used language for native Android development, and Capacitor, a modern cross-platform framework utilizing web technologies. By developing identical applications that integrate device-specific features and API-driven movie data, the research evaluates key metrics such as performance, memory usage, development time, and cost efficiency. The findings reveal that Java excels in-memory optimization, deep native API access, and high-performance capabilities, making it ideal for Android-centric applications requiring precision and efficiency, albeit at the cost of increased development complexity. Capacitor, in contrast, simplifies cross-platform deployment by leveraging web technologies and modular plugins, enabling faster development cycles and reduced costs. Its rapid execution times and ease of scaling highlight its suitability for multi-platform solutions. This research offers practical guidance for developers and organizations to select the appropriate technology stack based on project goals, team expertise, and budget constraints, fostering informed decision-making in modern mobile app development strategies.