A native app, a hybrid app, or a web app? This question is rather debatable, as each option has its pros and cons.
These days, mobile apps are a business instrument that acts as another communication and sales channel with clients. Thus, it is necessary to build a product that performs very well so that your app may succeed.
In this article you will find the comparison of the unique aspects of native vs hybrid app, as well as native vs web app.
What is Native App Development?
A native is an app that is designed to fully comply with the guidelines and requirements of a particular operating system. In native app development, apps are built separately for each operating platform. Native development benefits from complete unity with the device and its features, like the camera, contact list, GPS, etc.
Native applications are usually downloaded from app stores (Google Play, Apple's App Store) directly to the mobile device. They are launched without any external help from other tools or browsers, and they store data right in the gadget’s memory or in a cloud service.
Let's cover the many positive sides to native application development:
- Smooth work, fast operating speed, and flawless performance (these apps are built for a specific OS and take full advantage of the processing speed of the device)
- Great design and user experience possibilities (implementation of sophisticated UX/UI design and animation)
- Native UI allows users to understand navigation within the app more quickly
- Good integration with the hardware of the device (e.g. camera, GPS, phone, touch screen)
- Easy to launch in the App Store. When it comes to the question of native vs hybrid app or a mobile web app, native applications follow the OS (Android or iOS) guidelines completely.
- Better security & reliability (native apps are checked and approved by the App Store)
- Easy to implement new sophisticated features that the market demands (AI, VR, AR, IoT, etc.)
- Ability to operate offline (internet connections is necessary if there is corresponding functionality)
- SDK for developers (gives half-ready, regularly updated solutions and libraries that interact properly with a given operating system)
Native apps look and feel great, and operate very well, which leads to a better user experience, customer satisfaction, and retention rates.
It is crucial to understand when it is best to choose native app development. Nowadays it is a popular solution chosen by many well-known apps. Native app examples are: Google Maps, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, PokemonGo, etc. They have both native Android and iOS apps.
As a mobile device is constantly with us, the expectations for its operation are high. It has been discovered that around 80% of consumers will try to use an app only once, and the smallest app underperformance will discourage future use.
So, if you want to develop an app in a competitive sector, the decision to go with a native app is the easiest one. Besides, if your app idea is unique and the niche is free, native app development gives value directly from the start. Under such conditions, the creation of an MVP (the first version) is a great decision. It usually takes 3-6 months to build a secure native application with a good design and high performance. Also, take into account the platform on which to create your application: iOS, Android, or both, with regard to the budget and business strategy.
When it is advisable to choose native app development:
- when high app performance is necessary
- in order to keep up with competitors in instances of similar app ideas or markets
- when the app market niche is unoccupied, start with unique first product version (MVP).
- when time is on your side and it is possible to plan everything in advance and wait 6 months before app launch
- if you plan to scale and update the app on a constant basis
What is Hybrid App Development?
Hybrid means made of mixed characters or elements. A hybrid app is one of the categories within cross-platform app development allowing quick app launch with minimum expenses. Other variants include mobile web apps, PWAs (progressive web apps), and responsive mobile websites.
A hybrid app is a combination of a native and a web app and is defined as a website at heart with a native app as its external sheath. One difference between a native and a hybrid app is that the latter is developed with the help of HTML, JavaScript, or CSS at its core, and is then given a thin native shell with WebView to access the native system functionality.
Thus, it is no wonder that some of the most well-known applications go with a hybrid application, as opposed to a native or web app. Examples include Amazon, Evernote, and Netflix, each with a high level of user app experience.
A good idea would be to develop a completely functioning prototype quickly and in a cost-efficient way. This helps to test the waters with the app idea and then adapt it to the market needs based on real user feedback. A fast product launch provides the opportunity to fill a niche in the market and reach a wider audience with less marketing.
Hybrid apps are a good solution for banks, news, media, and content delivery platforms.
The general recommendation is to not just choose the affordable app variant, but rather the one that fits the market needs and provides the most value to the target audience.
Check out this article with a detailed comparison of the unique aspects of native vs hybrid app, as well as native vs web app.