A recent survey conducted by Kendo UI revealed that the global developers prefer HTML5 over native SDKs. Conducted among 5000 developers, CIOS and technology executive; the Global Developer Survey also found that developers love Win 8 and Android over iOS and BlackBerry for ease-of-use. Whats interesting though is HTML5 beating out Native SDKs as the preferred choice for developers across the board, regardless of company size. 90 percent of more than 5,000 app developers and IT decision makers saying they will develop apps using HTML5 in 2013, and only 15 percent preferring a native-only approach.

“There have been many predictions around what the future for HTML5 will or will not be for app development — especially in mobile,” said Todd Anglin, Executive Vice President, Cross Platform Tools & Services, Telerik. “To put some solid evidence around the widely varying opinions, we surveyed developers and IT executives using HTML5 technology, and heard across the board that there is growing adoption and interest in HTLM5 for desktop, mobile web and hybrid apps. This confirmation helps us keep pace with the sea of change happening, so we can continue supporting the needs of our customers and the developer community.”

The HTML5 survey was conducted by Kendo UI among a respondents mix of developers (72%), CIOs/Technology Executives (20%), and others, with 31% from North America, 35% from Europe, and 23% from Asia Pacific. Here are the key finds of the survey:

• Fifty percent (50%) of those surveyed developed a variety of apps in 2012 using HTML5, and 9 out of 10 plan to use HTML5 in 2013.

• Only 15% of the more than 5,000 surveyed would use “Native-only.”
• Developers ranked BlackBerry and Apple iOS as the more difficult platforms to work with for app development.
• Windows 8 and Android win out with developers for ease-of-use, with Windows 8 being favored over Android for ease-of-use by almost 2:1.
• Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Native app builders spend time re-developing the same app/feature for multiple platforms instead of innovating new apps or new features.
• Windows 8 (66%) and Chrome OS (47%) are the most interesting new operating systems; BlackBerry 10 (13%) and Tizen OS (8%) are the least popular among survey respondents.
• Eighty-seven percent (87%) use HTML5 to build desktop websites/web apps, followed by mobile websites (53%).

Clearly, HTML5 continues to advance due to more than one reason. Unlike Native SDKS, it is less costly to develop using HTML5. Plus, there are added advantages of flexibility, and quick development. Interestingly, it has become one of the hot topics for 2013, including developers’ jobs as 62% of developers reported being currently in active development and 33% of respondents are planning development initiatives before the end of 2013.

Looking at the figures, it is clear that the shift has taken place in platform preferences. While BlackBerry and Apple iOS have been considered the most difficult platforms for app development, Android is the preferred one. But it’s HTML5 that comes out as the ultimate winner!