vioscaleAI
Comparison

Apache Cordova vs Capacitor

On the evidence we track, Capacitor leads this comparison with a composite score of 60/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Apache Cordova full profile →Capacitor full profile →
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Apache Cordova38
★Capacitor60
Score
vioscaleAI score
Apache Cordova38 / 100low · 43%
Capacitor60 / 100medium · 65%
Pricing
Free tier
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓
Model
Apache Cordovaopen_source
Capacitoropen_source
Price level
Apache Cordovafree
Capacitorfree
Integrations
Count
Apache Cordova14
Capacitor21
Security
Scorecard
Apache Cordova4.1
Capacitor5.1
Trust center
Vulnerabilities
Reliability
Status page
Apache Cordova–
Capacitor✓
Adoption
Dependent repos
Apache Cordova–
Capacitor24,134
Github stars
Apache Cordova712
Capacitor16,852
Package downloads weekly
Apache Cordova–
Capacitor5,395,282
Activity
Commits last 30d
Apache Cordova0
Capacitor5
Release
History
Apache Cordova–
Capacitor20 items
License
Spdx
Apache Cordova–
CapacitorMIT
Language
Primary
Apache Cordova–
CapacitorTypeScript
Content
Faq
Apache Cordova5 items
Capacitor6 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for mobile app frameworks. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Core
Target platforms
Apache CordovaiOS, Android, web, desktop (Electron)
CapacitoriOS, Android, Progressive Web App
Approach
Apache CordovaWebView hybrid
CapacitorWebView hybrid
Primary language
Apache CordovaHTML/CSS/JavaScript
CapacitorJavaScript, HTML, CSS
Rendering
Renders true native UI
Apache Cordova✗
Capacitor✗
DX
Hot reload
Apache Cordova-
Capacitor✓
TypeScript-first
Apache Cordova-
Capacitor-
Delivery
Over-the-air code push
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor-
Portability
Single codebase, multiple platforms
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓
Desktop support
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor-
Builds for web
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓
Capability
Native API access
Apache CordovaPlugin / bridged
CapacitorFull native
Ecosystem
Bundled UI component library
Apache Cordova-
Capacitor✗

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Apache Cordova

Apache Cordova wraps HTML/JavaScript applications into native containers, allowing developers to target multiple platforms with a single codebase while accessing native device APIs through plugins.

Independently observed

Capacitor

Leader

Capacitor is a cross-platform native runtime that enables developers to build applications for iOS, Android, and web using a single JavaScript codebase. It provides web-standard APIs while allowing access to native device features through a plugin system.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Apache Cordova

Open source
as of verify ↗

Capacitor

Leader
Open source
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Apache Cordova✗
Capacitor✓
iOS
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓
Android
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓
CLI
Apache Cordova✗
Capacitor✓
Deployment
Self-hosted
Apache Cordova✓
Capacitor✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

In common (5)
  • Camera
  • Device
  • Geolocation
  • Splashscreen
  • Statusbar

Apache Cordova

14 total - 9 not shared
  • Battery Status
  • Dialogs
  • File
  • Inappbrowser
  • Media
  • Media Capture
  • Network Information
  • Screen Orientation
  • Vibration
Independently observed

Capacitor

Leader
24 total - 19 not shared
  • Action Sheet
  • App Launcher
  • App Browser
  • Clipboard
  • Dialog
  • Filesystem
  • Google Maps
  • Haptics
  • Keyboard
  • Local Notifications
  • Motion
  • Network
  • Push Notifications
  • Screen Reader
  • Share
  • Storage
  • Text Zoom
  • Toast
  • Cordova plugins
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Apache Cordova or Capacitor: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.