With the introduction of Google's mobile-first indexing and mobile-friendly approach, Custom Mobile App Development has gained significant momentum in the enterprise landscape. Many businesses look for a trusted Tech Partner to build a robust mobile app, with the hope to retain existing customers, attract new ones, and ultimately, skyrocketing business performance. According to Allied Market Research Group, the mobile application market will reach $407.31 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 18.4%. However, the question now is “How to choose the right Mobile App Type?”, “Native, Hybrid, or Web App would be the best choice?”.
This article will explain each type of app, providing insights to help you make the best choice for your needs and those of your customers.
1. Overview of Mobile App Type
What are 3 types of Mobile Apps?
The main types of Mobile Apps are:
- Native Mobile Apps
- Hybrid Mobile Apps
- Web Apps
What is Native Mobile App?
A native app is designed for a particular mobile device or operating system. It is built using the native programming languages and tools the target platform supports, such as Swift or Objective-C for iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) or Java or Kotlin for Android devices.
What is Hybrid Mobile App?
A hybrid mobile app is a software application that combines elements of native and web applications. In Hybrid Mobile App Development, web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are often utilized and then wrapped within a native container that allows it to be installed and run on mobile devices.
You can download hybrid apps from app stores, just like native apps. Hybrid apps run inside a native app and own embedded browsers using WebKit such as WebView for Android and WKWebView for iOS.
What is Web App?
A web app runs on web browsers over the internet. Unlike native applications, web apps do not need to be installed on the user's device. Instead, users can access and interact with them through a web browser like Google Chrome, Safari, etc.
Three different types of mobile app: Native, Hybrid and Web App
2. The Pros and Cons of Each Mobile App Type
a. Native Mobile App
Pros:
- Better performance and responsiveness
- Provide a seamless and intuitive user experience, as they adhere to the platform's design guidelines and offer a consistent look and feel with other native apps on the device.
- Can function offline usually
- Can offer more advanced functionalities as native apps have direct access to device features like camera, GPS, accelerometer, and other hardware components
- Higher level of data protection and encryption
Cons:
- High development cost
- Longer development time
- Maintenance and update take a longer time
b. Hybrid Mobile App
Pros:
- Reduce development costs and time
- Faster time-to-market
- Supports multiple platforms through a single codebase at the same time
- Ability to work without the internet as well as in cases where database support is not required
Cons:
- Performance is not as good as native apps
- Limited access to certain device features, resulting in less functionality compared to native apps
- Difficult to run on older devices and browsers
c. Web App
Pros:
- No Installation Required
- Easier Deployment and Updates
- Faster development time and cost-effectiveness
- Supports multiple platforms with a single codebase generally
Cons:
- Limited Offline Functionality
- May face security risks, such as data breaches or vulnerabilities in the web browser
- Slower speed compared to native mobile apps
3. Which Mobile App Type is the Best Choice?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer so here's a brief overview to help guide your choice:
Native apps are often considered the best choice when seeking top-notch performance and user experience on a specific platform. They have full access to device features and can use the latest technologies, resulting in faster and more responsive applications. If your primary goal is to provide the best user experience possible and you have the resources to develop and maintain separate apps for each platform (iOS and Android, for example), then native mobile apps may be the best fit.
Meanwhile, Hybrid Apps can save development time and costs, making them suitable for projects with limited resources or a need for quicker market entry. This Mobile App type is best suited for projects that prioritize cross-platform compatibility while still aiming for a reasonable user experience.
Web App is suitable for projects with budget constraints or those focusing on content delivery. This type of Mobile App Development can reach a broad audience since they work on various devices with internet access. However, they may not offer the same level of performance and device integration as native or hybrid apps. The speed of web applications is lesser than native apps. For example, if a native app’s response time is 10 milliseconds, then a hybrid app’s response time would be 100 milliseconds.
Depend on various factors and specific project requirements, you can choose the suitbale one
4. Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the decision of which mobile app type to choose - native, hybrid, or web app - ultimately depends on various factors and specific project requirements. Each type comes with its own set of advantages and limitations, catering to different needs and objectives.
If you are considering building a robust Mobile App, please contact us. SotaTek is a leading Mobile Application Development Service Provider that can offer top-notch service to bring seamless experiences for digital users on any device. Agile Development and flexible Frameworks are used to continuously adapt to market demand, and develop precisely based on clients’ requirements.
