Modern Betting App – How Kotlin Multiplatform Ensures High Performance at an Optimal Budget?

In live betting, every second counts. Users rely on quick reflexes when placing bets, but if the app freezes at a crucial moment, they risk losing a win – and the bookmaker risks losing a loyal user. How can this be prevented?

By choosing stable technology.

Native technologies are usually the go-to choice for betting apps, but they entail higher expenses. Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) offers a strong alternative, delivering high performance while optimizing app development costs.

What is the best technology for betting apps?

It is worth noting that native technologies are the best choice for betting apps 9 times out of 10. Why? When players place bets, they expect immediate responsiveness. Native technologies ensure fast and stable performance, even under high load.

So, why doesn’t everyone develop betting apps using native languages like Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android)? The obstacle is often the high cost. Developers must build two separate apps—one for each operating system. More work = higher budget. However, that is not all.

With two apps, development time also increases—after all, every feature must be implemented twice. This, in turn, can delay the product launch, negatively impacting time-to-market. But what if you have a limited budget and need to release new features as quickly as possible? This is where Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) steps in.

What Is Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP)?

Kotlin Multiplatform is a technology that allows sharing specific parts of the code between mobile apps for iOS and Android. When both apps share a common codebase, development becomes faster and more cost-effective, allowing new features to reach all users simultaneously.

There is no need to write separate code for business logic or integrate the API twice. You only need to do it once, and everything works across both platforms. This way, KMP accelerates feature implementation, saving you both time and budget.

Crucially, the interface remains native—meaning it looks and behaves in a way specific to each platform, ensuring a superior User Experience (UX).

Flutter or KMP – what’s best for betting apps?

When discussing alternatives to native apps, Flutter is often the first to be mentioned. However, it is not the recommended choice for sports betting apps. Why? Several factors play a key role here.

Native interface and better UX

It might sound like a cliché, but users must have the best possible experience when using our app. Their habits play a significant role here—iPhone users will have different experiences than those with Android smartphones. Navigation, design, and standard animations differ.

Flutter may try to mimic them, but neither the look nor the feel will be identical to those found in 100% native apps. It is different with KMP. This option allows you to build views fully natively, which guarantees the best UX.

Easy access to system elements with KMP

When an app includes native features such as video streaming, push notifications, or haptic feedback signaling in-game changes, connecting the code with system components is essential. This is easier with Kotlin Multiplatform than with Flutter.

For Android, Kotlin is native, and on iOS, KMP code compiles directly to native code. Flutter, conversely, must use a bridge to connect with system elements, which can cause latency and disrupt smooth performance.

Example of a native app with KMP parts – Medicine app

How much does a KMP betting app cost?

Now that we have covered the theory, it is time to look at the potential savings you can expect when choosing KMP.

In betting apps, business logic accounts for a significant portion of the project, as these are typically complex solutions. Fortunately, when shared logic in KMP makes up at least 50% of the app’s codebase, developers have a much easier task. They can save a substantial amount of time by eliminating the need to write separate logic for Android and iOS, as is required in fully native apps.

Savings extend beyond just writing code. Certain tests need to be performed only once if the solutions rely on shared logic. Similarly, bug fixes are faster because changes in Kotlin Multiplatform need to be implemented only once.

From a business perspective, this translates to a faster app or feature release and significantly lower software development costs. You pay less than for two fully native apps, while gaining fast and stable software.

What if your app is outdated? How to Use KMP?

Even if you already have a functioning app, you can still leverage the capabilities offered by Kotlin Multiplatform.

Start by implementing new features based on KMP and adding them to your legacy native app. There is no need to rebuild everything from scratch right away. It is a flexible technology that allows for gradual code rewriting.

This approach is more cost-effective. Additionally, it allows you to validate how Kotlin Multiplatform performs before deciding to rewrite the entire logic.

Various approaches to cooperation

Wondering what happens if you choose KMP? The next step depends on the stage of your project (building an app from scratch vs. adding new features) and your expectations.

Product Discovery workshops

During the Product Discovery process, we gather data on users, the business, and the market landscape to devise the best possible action plan. The process culminates in workshops where we generate feature ideas, shape the app vision, and define priorities based on business goals, technical capabilities, and target audience needs.

Workshops are not a mandatory stage of the software development process, but we usually recommend conducting them due to the numerous benefits they offer. While outcomes may vary depending on the scope of work, the key deliverables typically include:

• Estimation with a detailed project cost breakdown, scope of work, and timeline
• Description of target groups
• Proposed business metrics (KPIs) to measure the app’s success
• User flow diagram showing key paths within the app
• Prototype enabling usability testing.

Code and UX audits

If you already have an app, you can also start by assessing which elements require modification and what needs to be improved first. Based on this, we will develop a plan for the gradual implementation of Kotlin Multiplatform, starting with resolving critical bugs.

In both scenarios, the next stage involves coding and testing.

KMP vs. Native Technologies and Flutter – what to choose?

Every betting app project is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all technology choice. Flutter is the cheapest option, but it may lead to serious performance issues. Native apps, on the other hand, can be too expensive.

Choosing Kotlin Multiplatform offers a balanced solution. It allows for savings on software development while maintaining high standards and delivering positive user experiences.

Wondering if KMP is the right fit for your business model? Book a consultation with us. We will be happy to advise you on which option will be most beneficial in your specific case.