Apache Cordova allows developers to use web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to develop mobile applications that can be deployed across multiple platforms. It provides a boilerplate native container application with a web view interface to access device functionality through plugins. Many large companies and organizations use Cordova due to its ability to quickly release apps on Android, iOS, Windows Phone and other platforms while reusing most of the codebase. While it has advantages, Cordova apps also face challenges from differing device behaviors and platform expectations.