Making the best choice for your business's mobile app development needs is no easy feat. Do you prefer a hybrid app, a web app, or a native app?
Your company's goals and needs will determine the comparable answer to this inquiry. Before you choose one, there are a few things to think about, such as:
- When would you like the app?
- I was wondering how much money we have set aside to build the software.
- Is there a list of features that the app must have?
- How can the product help your business achieve its goals?
However, if you are unable to distinguish between such programs, then your answers will be of little use.
Therefore, we will describe the many kinds of mobile apps, the pros and cons of each, and how these differences will affect your app's development.
What are native applications?
I think we can all relate when we hear the term "mobile app" and see that small branded icon that appears on the home screen of our smartphones.
The vast majority of apps available in the app store are native apps. Their design is based on the native language of a single operating system (OS). This includes Objective-C and Swift on iOS, as well as Java for Android.
Because of their device-specific design, they provide the finest user experience compared to hybrid or web apps, thanks to their incredibly straightforward navigation.
You may access features like the user's contact list, camera(s), GPS, microphone, and more through your app because they also enable interaction with the device's internal hardware and API.
Many companies opt to develop native mobile apps because of their compatibility with device operating systems. However, businesses with smaller budgets may not be able to afford the higher initial development costs of these native functionalities.
To make your product compatible with many platforms, you'll need to create two apps: one for the Google Play Store for Android and another for the Apple App Store. This will increase the overall cost of development.
Advantages of native apps
- Reliable operation: This program usually runs well, even when using demanding graphics.
- Features unique to the platform: By gaining access to the platform-specific functionality, native apps can fully utilize the consumers' devices.
- Native apps usually have a better user interface (UI) and better performance than hybrid and web apps since they are bound to platform-specific performance standards.
- Exposure in app stores: Unlike web applications and hybrid apps, native apps boost your company's visibility in app stores, allowing new customers to easily find your brand.
Disadvantages of native apps
- Greater initial investment: Developing a native app, especially one that will be distributed across several platforms, can be more expensive than developing a hybrid or online app.
- Due to their platform-specific nature and the stringent language, protocol, and user interface requirements that they must adhere to, mobile applications can be a pain to update and maintain.
- Because they adhere to the normal operating system standards, mobile apps need to be approved by an app store. The developers do not have control over the format or release date of the software, according to this.
What are web applications?
A web browser is all that's needed to access a web application. Web apps, in contrast to their downloaded counterparts, may adjust to the screen size of the user's device and run on various web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Safari, etc.) thanks to JavaScript and HTML5.
For instance, consider Goodreads.
The native app gives us a good first look at the features, including buttons to view book previews and options to sort and filter the titles. Using the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen, readers may easily go between the homepage, search feature, and explore sites.
Although they share a lot of visual cues (color scheme, structure, etc.), the Goodreads web app and mobile app couldn't be more different in terms of design and features.
There are no preview buttons or filter/sort options in the web app. In addition, unlike the mobile app, the navigation bar is located at the top of the screen and offers additional alternatives.
Also, only two book titles can be shown on the screen because of the advertisement that encourages users to open the Goodreads app.
When comparing the two types of apps, the native mobile ones provide a far better user experience. However, to use the site, users do not need to install any web apps on their devices.
Web apps are often easier to build, cheaper, and have a lower entry barrier than native apps because of their relative simplicity. On the other hand, their UI design and speed are likely to be less user-friendly.
Advantages of web apps
- Web applications can be developed for any platform that has a web browser.
- They require less time and developers to design, which means they have fewer upfront expenses. As a result, they are typically less expensive than alternative app types.
- Simple upkeep: Since web programs aren't platform-dependent, they share code with other platforms. This code commonly consists of a combination of PHP scripts used on the server side and HTML and Javascript used on the client side. Fixing an issue with one app is easier than fixing both the iOS and Android versions.
- Accessibility: Anyone with a web browser can use any web app. From smart TVs to wearables, these days it seems like every device has a web browser.
- Absence of an app store: App stores don't have to approve web apps for publication because they don't follow traditional operating systems protocols. As a result, you have complete control over the structure and timing of your product's release.
Disadvantages of web apps
- Users need to have internet connectivity to use web apps, as they are accessed through browsers.
- The inability to showcase web apps in app stores means that your product will have less visibility and be tougher to discover organically. This negatively impacts discoverability.
- The scope of web apps is smaller than that of other app kinds because, although they are easier to design, they have significantly less access to the capabilities and hardware of the device.
- Web apps have poor user experience (UX) since they are slower, less responsive, and less interactive than native apps.
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are a great option if you're looking for a cross between native app functionality and web app convenience (no download necessary) without sacrificing quality. Websites that mimic the appearance and feel of native apps are what they are essentially. They are typically written in HTML5 and may be accessed with a web browser. In addition to having the ability to add them to the home screen, users can access PWAs directly by URL.
However, Apple only supports a subset of PWA features, thus their compatibility with iOS is severely constrained. This limits their usability since they can't use technologies like Face ID, ARKit, Bluetooth, Beacons, etc. Web apps have certain limitations, and progressive web apps (PWAs) are no exception.
What are Hybrid Apps?
A hybrid mobile app combines elements of both a native app and a web app, as the name implies. Using frameworks and container technologies like React Native and WebView, they enable access to platform functionalities that a browser cannot.
There are two parts to these apps:
- The code that runs the show (Javascript, HTML, and CSS)
- This program's native shell is what makes it available for download in app stores.
To use a hybrid app on a mobile device, the same process as with native apps is to download it from an app store. When you download a hybrid app, instead of installing the full application, your device creates a native framework. This is the fundamental difference between the two types of apps. This is accomplished using a user interface that is similar to that of a web app once the hybrid app is opened.
Advantages of hybrid apps
- Developed quickly since hybrid apps share a single codebase across all of their supported platforms. Less time spent developing is the end outcome.
- The initial investment is lower for hybrid apps compared to native apps, and they are easier to develop. However, they are more discoverable. In-app shops can be shown as well.
- Access to internal APIs: In contrast to web apps, hybrid apps can leverage smartphone capabilities such as location tracking and push notifications.
- Platform compatibility: Hybrid apps can operate on both Android and iOS devices since they share a codebase.
Disadvantages of hybrid apps
Hybrid apps are significantly slower than their native counterparts.
Challenge: building a hybrid app requires knowledge of more than just JavaScript and CSS. Integration with learning-curve development frameworks is necessary for these. Examples include React Native, Ionic, and Cordova. One of the most important frameworks that hybrid apps can utilize to access some native features is Cordova.
For your business, what kind of app would be ideal?
There should be no confusion about native, web, and hybrid apps and their differences at this point. Allow us to assist you in selecting the most suitable software for your company's project.
When is a native app the way to go?
- You should make the most of every operating system's capabilities.
- You can easily make apps and developers tailored to each operating system in the time you have available.
- Like banking and financial apps, your product necessitates substantial access to the user's device due to its complex architecture or technical capabilities.
A web app is most appropriate if:
- You would like to have an app that is compatible with multiple operating systems, but you don't have the time or money to create individual apps for each system.
- Acquiring a large user base should be your primary objective. Consider an online store that wants to see an immediate uptick in traffic from people using both iOS and Android.
A hybrid app is ideal if:
- You want a way to get the best of both worlds—native and web apps—into one package.
- Optimizing your product for a plethora of platform-specific features is a top priority.
- Make sure users can easily switch between the app and the website.
No matter what kind of app your business develops, you should always prioritize giving users the best experience possible. If the software is difficult to use, then all your hard work and money spent developing it was for naught.
To accomplish this, you will want the assistance of a seasoned development team. Our specialists are pleased to help you with your app development needs, as they have over a decade of experience in the field.
Conclusion
The choice between native, web, and hybrid apps depends on specific project requirements and goals. Native apps offer optimal performance and access to device features, making them suitable for resource-intensive applications. Web apps are versatile and easily accessible across platforms, ideal for content-driven or informational projects. Hybrid apps aim to combine the strengths of both, offering a balance between performance and cross-platform compatibility. Ultimately, the decision should be based on factors such as budget, development time, and the user experience desired. Careful consideration of these elements will help determine the most appropriate option for a successful app development strategy.
FAQs
What is the main difference between native, web, and hybrid apps?
Native apps are specifically designed for a particular platform (e.g., iOS or Android) using platform-specific programming languages. Web apps, on the other hand, are accessed through a web browser and run on various platforms. Hybrid apps combine elements of both native and web apps, allowing developers to use web technologies within a native app wrapper.
Which type of app offers the best performance: native, web, or hybrid?
Generally, native apps tend to offer the best performance as they are optimized for a specific platform's hardware and software. Web apps rely on browser capabilities and internet speed, while hybrid apps may not achieve the same level of performance as fully native apps.
What are the key advantages of choosing a native app for development?
Native apps often provide the best user experience and performance due to their platform-specific optimization. They have access to device features and functionalities, can leverage platform-specific design guidelines, and are typically more responsive compared to web or hybrid alternatives.
In what scenarios is a web app more suitable than a native or hybrid?
Web apps are a good choice when cross-platform compatibility is a priority. They can be accessed through a web browser on various devices, reducing the need for multiple versions for different platforms. Additionally, web apps are easier to maintain and update since changes can be deployed centrally on the server.
What factors should be considered when deciding between a native, web, or hybrid app for a project?
Considerations include the target audience, desired features, development timeline, and budget. If high performance and platform-specific features are crucial, native development may be preferred. For projects with a limited budget and a need for cross-platform compatibility, a web or hybrid approach might be more suitable. The decision also depends on the long-term goals and scalability of the application.
