Comparison

Apache Cordova vs Capacitor

On the evidence we track, Capacitor leads this comparison with a composite score of 59/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsJSONMarkdownGraphQLor send Accept: application/json
Apache Cordova37
Capacitor59
Score
Vioscale score
Apache Cordova37 / 100medium · 53%updating
Capacitor59 / 100medium · 69%updating
Pricing
Free tier
Apache Cordova
Capacitor
Model
Apache Cordovacommercial
Capacitorcommercial
Price level
Apache Cordovafree
Capacitorfree
Integrations
Count
Apache Cordova14
Capacitor21
Reliability
Status page
Apache Cordova
Capacitor
Adoption
Dependent repos
Apache Cordova
Capacitor24,134
Github stars
Apache Cordova709
Capacitor16,391
Package downloads weekly
Apache Cordova
Capacitor4,104,659
Activity
Commits last 30d
Apache Cordova0
Capacitor6
Release
History
Apache Cordova
Capacitor20 items
License
Spdx
Apache Cordova
CapacitorMIT
Language
Primary
Apache Cordova
CapacitorTypeScript

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

An open-source runtime that packages web applications built with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to run natively on iOS, Android, and as Progressive Web Apps, with access to platform-specific native APIs through a unified JavaScript interface.

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 sourceFree tier
as of verify ↗

Capacitor

Leader
Open sourceFree tier

Free, 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
macOS
Apache Cordova
Capacitor
Windows
Apache Cordova
Capacitor
Linux
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

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