What are the main differences between MvvmCross and other MVVM frameworks

MvvmCross vs. MVVM Light Toolkit

- Feature Set: MvvmCross is more feature-complete compared to MVVM Light Toolkit. MvvmCross offers a comprehensive set of features including data binding, navigation, dependency injection, and plugins for various functionalities[1][3]. MVVM Light Toolkit is lightweight and lacks many out-of-the-box features, making it less suitable for complex applications[2].
- Community and Support: MvvmCross has a larger and more active community compared to MVVM Light Toolkit, which has not been updated since 2015[2][9].

MvvmCross vs. Prism

- Navigation and Complexity: Prism is known for its robust navigation features and is often used in large-scale applications. However, it uses magic strings for navigation, which some developers find less intuitive[9]. MvvmCross provides a more straightforward navigation system but may not be as robust as Prism's.
- Documentation and Performance: Prism's documentation is sometimes criticized for being lacking, and it primarily supports DryIOC for performance reasons[9]. MvvmCross has extensive documentation and supports various dependency injection patterns[3][10].

MvvmCross vs. ReactiveUI

- Philosophy and Approach: MvvmCross focuses on providing a comprehensive set of features for building native mobile applications with an emphasis on code-sharing across platforms[7]. ReactiveUI, on the other hand, emphasizes reactive programming using the Reactive Extensions (Rx) library, making it suitable for applications with complex asynchronous operations[7].
- Data Binding: MvvmCross uses a convention-based data binding approach, while ReactiveUI employs a more reactive and explicit approach using observables[7].
- Learning Curve: ReactiveUI may have a steeper learning curve due to its focus on reactive programming, whereas MvvmCross is generally easier to start with due to its extensive documentation and community support[7].

MvvmCross vs. Mugen MVVM Toolkit

- Feature Set and Complexity: Mugen MVVM Toolkit is praised for having all desired features out-of-the-box and good samples for various platforms[2]. However, it has a small community and complex internal source code, which can make it challenging to learn and extend[2]. MvvmCross is more widely adopted and has a simpler architecture, making it easier to use for many developers.

In summary, MvvmCross is a versatile framework that supports a wide range of platforms and offers a comprehensive set of features for cross-platform development. Its strengths lie in its ability to share code across platforms and its extensive community support. However, other frameworks like ReactiveUI and Prism may be more suitable for specific needs, such as reactive programming or robust navigation systems.