Native, Web or Hybrid Apps: What’s Best for Business?

Since the beginning of time, business people have been wondering the same thing: is it better to have a native app developed with an in-house team versus a web-based application developed by an external agency? One major argument for native is that it will deliver superior performance on smartphones and tablets. However, this sentiment is largely based on theory—there are no conclusive findings or studies to back up this claim. There are also some disadvantages to developing your own native app including greater development cost and less revenue. On the other hand, developing a web-based app is definitely cheaper to develop and can be accessed by any device with an internet connection.

Usually, a mobile and web development company provides mobile app development services which help the clients to expand their customer base.

What is Native App Development?

A native app is built specifically for one platform (i.e. iOS, Android, Windows Phone) and is typically coded in the programming language of that platform (Objective-C for iOS, Java for Android). Native apps are typically built using structured programming languages that can be compiled natively on the operating system where they will run. They tend to be more efficient than web-based applications because they’re able to streamline tasks by accessing core features of the device, such as the camera or GPS.

Advantages of Native App Development Native apps are the first choice for the following reasons:

• Improved User Experience.
• Best Performance.
• Reliable Data Storage.

Disadvantages of Native App Development

Native app development can be costly, especially for large-scale projects. There are also some disadvantages to developing your own native app including greater development cost and less revenue. On the other hand, developing a web-based app is definitely cheaper to develop and can be accessed by any device with an internet connection. For these reasons, it’s common for startups to look outside of their industry for third-party solutions, but it’s important to understand that there are many benefits to building a native application instead.

What is Web App Development?

A web-based app is created using HTML5 or JavaScript and is compatible with any device with an internet connection. These apps are usually written in a programming language such as PHP, ASP.NET, or Ruby on Rails and can be served up by a web server via HTTP. 

Advantages of Web App Development 

A key advantage of web-based applications is the potential for high performance. The flexibility of HTML5 ensures that web apps can be developed quickly and scaled up to handle millions of users. They’re also more secure than native apps, because they aren’t installed on your device, but reside on a web server instead. Disadvantages of Web App Development

Web applications are perceived as having a lower user experience than their native counterparts, but this bias is quickly shifting. They also require more ongoing maintenance than native apps, because they must be updated regularly to remain compatible with devices.

What is Hybrid App Development?

A hybrid app is built using a native-like interface and delivery (i.e., it’s built with HTML5 and JavaScript, but it’s packaged into an app-store-friendly file). The code that makes up the hybrid app can either be generated by the vendor or can be customized by your team. The underlying structure of the application runs as a native application. These types of apps might run slower than pure native apps, but they tend to work well enough for most users.

Another reason to consider creating a hybrid app is that it allows for the building of an app without having to touch your server-side code. This helps you maintain clean back-end architecture, which can make it easier to scale, thus reducing costs.

The biggest advantage of hybrid application development is that you don’t have to take on the burden of developing a front end. The front end allows for your app to be adapted to a wide variety of devices without needing a lot of resources. Hybrid apps also provide a cross-platform experience, which opens up the door for more revenue streams. 

A common disadvantage with hybrid applications is that they’re less secure than native apps. Since these apps run from the browser, they’re not as secure as traditional native applications and can be vulnerable to malware, which increases security risk. The result is that users may become more hesitant to install hybrid applications on their devices.

How can I make a decision?

First, it’s crucial that you pick a programming language that works best with the platform or platforms where you plan to deploy your app (e.g., mobile web apps vs native Android apps). Once you’ve chosen a programming language, it’s crucial that you decide which platforms you want to target. If your app is going to be available for people to use on their own devices, then it should be made for the platforms that are most popular with the general public (Android, iOS or Windows Phone). However, if your app will only run on specific devices, it’s best to select a platform that’s designed specifically for those types of devices.

Once you’ve made your decision about what platforms to develop for, the next step is deciding which features are important for your users and how best to develop those features. Just as there are differences between mobile apps and web apps, there are also differences between native applications and hybrid applications. If you choose to develop your app using hybrid technology, then you can expect that it won’t perform as well or look as polished as a native application. If your app is built natively, however, you’ll be able to access device features (e.g., GPS, camera), offer more detailed graphics and make use of touch-screen features.

If your business is uncertain about how to build an app or doesn’t know what platform(s) it should target, then consider taking advantage of one of the services that offer customizable mobile app development programs (e.g., appsfire). These services allow you to compare quotes from different developers and select one based on price, experience and the functionality that’s offered in the quote.