cordova - RhoMobile Suite vs. Titanium vs. Xamarin vs. PhoneGap vs. Telerik Platform vs. Codename One -

i, many others, looking venture mobile app development. familiar html5, css3, javascript, php, ruby, .net not java or objective-c. honest, i'm unlikely become mobile developer guru , apps develop unlikely push limits of hybrid such extent ought go native anyway. challenge me gain enough knowledge confidentally align myself 1 of mainstream hybrid development platforms - knowing made right decision according requirements.

i've been reading similar posts on , researching popular hybrid mobile application development 'solutions' including:

xamarin titanium rhomobile phonegap telerik platform

i've come conclusion decision on go not simple. in fact, i'm no closer making decision when started. i'm therefore turning community recommend options based on specific criteria (which believe reflects self-employed developers working on small project-by-project basis rather larger corporate development team ability fund licence costs etc.)

the apps build need versions android , iphone , should able access basic core phone functions including: camera, accelerometer, geolocation, alert, local storage, g-sensor etc. not more.

so, post not subjective 'which 1 best?', instead i'm looking recommendations according following requirements:

1. free (preferrably) @ least affordable little man so: 1a. affordable monthly subscription (if have to) 1b. no hidden licence fees when comes distributing applications - biggy.

2. dev platform should install on windows , mac (so can build platform myself) 2a. alternatively, integrated online build services should affordable

3. environment should straightforward install , configure (is there such solution? have tried seem have kind of issue whilst locating reference files, versions, launching emulators etc.)

as .net mvc developer, xamarin seems obvious choice starter cannot invoke 3rd party libraries - imagine need - , barely affordable 'indie' @ $299 per year per platform , i'm not offer functionality needed. enterprise version @ $1899 per year per platform way beyond budget.

rhomobile suite mvc ruby approach seems fit me documentation need attention (out of date) , there seem massive ambuguity around licensing of it. can't find definitive answer , haven't responded straightforward request. found this: "use of rhoelements require license key, make use of non-enterprise features (i.e. rhodes app) remove app_type:rhoelements build.yml." - of course need rhoelements! looking @ application licensing (on docs.rhomobile.com site) seems can them motorola solutions (or heap of other resellers) typically cannot find price. concerns me - can forsee me being hit $10,000 fee when distribute app stores.

titanium has ambiguity on licensing. claiming been chased $5000 licences uk resellers others suggest wrong , there no licence fees. again, no idea...

in comparison, phonegap appear tick boxes , don't see concern on licensing compared other solutions comes across needing more of manual process unpolished results - although more apps i've seen in examples rather capability of platform.

the telerik platform seems on face of doubt 'developer' offering @ current price of $39 month (marketed "ideal tinkerers , hobbyists") enough i'd looking @ commitment of $79 month paid 1 year up-front - ouch! i'm unsure if cost covers licensing of complete applications (i hope so).

as 1 of key criteria ease of install, configuration , build, leaning towards rhomobile or telerik depending on final costs me developer building , submitting these apps.

all things considered on right track or still uninformed?

many thanks.

disclaimer: work motorola solutions, release rhomobile suite.

the rhomobile suite includes different product:

• rhostudio: ide based on eclipse
• rhodes framework: free, mit license, build b2c applications
• rhoelements framework: b2b licensed framework, built on top of rhodes offering support data encription, barcode scanning, windows mobile , windows ce support
• rhoconnect: synchronization , integration framework (need license)
• rhohub: hosting of rhoconnect , build server rhodes/rhoelements (need license commercial use)
• rhogallery: enterprise app store. (need license commercial use)

the application you're going build needs rhodes api. can find on this table api requires rhoelements license. can build app rhodes, deploy on appstore , playstore without having buy license.

you can find support using free user community on launchpad.

regarding paid support , rhoelements/rhoconnect/rhohub/rhogalley licenses, change during summer aligned subscription model used other cross-platform framework on market.