Genetic algorithms (GAs) and simulated annealing (SA) have emerged as leading methods for search and optimization problems in heterogeneous wireless networks. In this paradigm, various access technologies need to be interconnected; thus, vertical handovers are necessary for seamless mobility. In this paper, the hybrid algorithm for real-time vertical handover using different objective functions has been presented to find the optimal network to connect with a good quality of service in accordance with the user’s preferences. As it is, the characteristics of the current mobile devices recommend using fast and efficient algorithms to provide solutions near to real-time. These constraints have moved us to develop intelligent algorithms that avoid slow and massive computations. This was to, specifically, solve two major problems in GA optimization, i.e. premature convergence and slow convergence rate, and the facilitation of simulated annealing in the merging populations phase of the search. The hybrid algorithm was expected to improve on the pure GA in two ways, i.e., improved solutions for a given number of evaluations, and more stability over many runs. This paper compares the formulation and results of four recent optimization algorithms: artificial bee colony (ABC), genetic algorithm (GA), differential evolution (DE), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Moreover, a cost function is used to sustain the desired QoS during the transition between networks, which is measured in terms of the bandwidth, BER, ABR, SNR, and monetary cost. Simulation results indicated that choosing the SA rules would minimize the cost function and the GA–SA algorithm could decrease the number of unnecessary handovers, and thereby prevent the ‘Ping-Pong’ effect
