Comparing Native App, Mobile Web App and Hybrid App
Native App, Mobile Web App, Hybrid App, are the basic concepts of mobile app development. Based on programming languages, mobile apps can be divided into three categories: native applications (Native App), web applications (Web App) and hybrid applications (Hybrid App). Among of them, more than half of mobile developers choose to build a native application. What are the definition as well as pros and cons of each one?
NATIVE APP
Definition:
These are applications written specifically for a type of platform such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone in the respective languages of each platform, for example Java on Android, Object C on iOS, C # on Winphone.
Each Native App can only run on one platform and cannot be ported to other platforms. For example, games for iOS will not be able to run on Android devices. The majority of current mobile games are Native App.
Pros of Native App development:
- In terms of performance, the Native App runs faster than the mobile app in most cases. However, the discrepancies in applications can be small, acceptable and difficult to identify by users. Currently for games, the Native App is absolutely superior.
- About features, the Native App can get access to hardware (such as cameras, GPS, recording devices, etc.) and to local rights: copying, creating, writing, reading files (in memory of mobile), contacts information, personal information, making calls, texting, etc. In other words, the Native App can harness the greatest hardware power of the platform while the Mobile Web App is not possible (in some cases, you can read files, like uploads).
- In offline mode: Native Apps has an advantage over Mobile Web Apps that require running online always. In offline-mode, the Native App will use the cached data that the user accessed online last time.
Cons of Native App development:
- No cross-platform: a Native App can only run on a certain operating system.
- For each HDH, the programmer must write native code for it, resulting in inconsistencies between application versions, higher development costs and requiring the ability to proficiency in many languages in the developers. Sometimes it requires programmers to use proprietary tools and only work on a single environment such as using Xcode on Mac OS (if you want to develop applications for iOS).
- Moreover, it will take a long time for maintenance or upgrades. Due to the need to fix each app on each HDH, the procedure to post on App Stores and wait for approval (sometimes rejected because of violating some of the market rules), the update version will not reach users immediately. They will also have to enter the App Stores and update themselves.
- The diversity of HDH hinders the spread of Native Apps. Devices running on an out-of-date version of HDH cannot be installed.
Native App development is best for:
- The application is published in a single platform.
- Applications with high requirements, surpassing the construction capabilities of hybrid or web app.
- Highly-demanding application of native UI or graphic animation (for example, game applications).
MOBILE WEB APP (Web-based App)
Definition:
A type of application that allows computer to directly perform a task that a user wants to perform.
Web apps can be designed to run on web platforms or mobile browsers. For example: https://www.facebook.com/ is a Web App for mobile.
Pros of Mobile Web App development:
- Cross-platform: It can be run on all mobile browsers that support HTML and javascript versions.
- No need to install on the device.
- Convenient for developers:
- With a single version for all, it is recommended to reduce costs and time for development, maintenance, and future upgrades.
- The common programming languages are HTML and Javascript that most developers know.
- Unlimited programming environment, developers can work on most HDH.
- The version update will come immediately and transparently to the user (right after deploying) without going through the procedure and waiting for approval of the App Stores.
- Can be indexed by search engines (good for SEO).
- Easy to promote: users can find it via search engine, share links from email, from social networks or from online advertising services like Google Ads.
Cons of Mobile Web App development:
- While HTML5 is broadly compatible, there are weaknesses along with it. It depends on the browser, platform and model. Especially when the current market fragmentation of mobile devices is so large, it is really difficult for programmers to choose which part of HTML5 can be used.
- In terms of performance, web-based apps do not run as fast as native apps, and do not provide the full experience that the platform can provide, which is why most mobile games do not use web apps.
- Always have to run online. When the network flickered, the web application immediately showed its weaknesses.
Mobile Web App development is best for:
- Software developed with low funding.
- Applications do not need to be posted on the App stores.
- Programmers with experience in Mobile Web App development (HTML, CSS, Javascript).
MOBILE WEB APP (Web-based App)
Definition:
A type of application that allows computer to directly perform a task that a user wants to perform.
Web apps can be designed to run on web platforms or mobile browsers. For example: https://www.facebook.com/ is a Web App for mobile.
Pros of Mobile Web App development:
- Cross-platform: It can be run on all mobile browsers that support HTML and javascript versions.
- No need to install on the device.
- Convenient for developers:
- With a single version for all, it is recommended to reduce costs and time for development, maintenance, and future upgrades.
- The common programming languages are HTML and Javascript that most developers know.
- Unlimited programming environment, developers can work on most HDH.
- The version update will come immediately and transparently to the user (right after deploying) without going through the procedure and waiting for approval of the App Stores.
- Can be indexed by search engines (good for SEO).
- Easy to promote: users can find it via search engine, share links from email, from social networks or from online advertising services like Google Ads.
Cons of Mobile Web App development:
- While HTML5 is broadly compatible, there are weaknesses along with it. It depends on the browser, platform and model. Especially when the current market fragmentation of mobile devices is so large, it is really difficult for programmers to choose which part of HTML5 can be used.
- In terms of performance, web-based apps do not run as fast as native apps, and do not provide the full experience that the platform can provide, which is why most mobile games do not use web apps.
- Always have to run online. When the network flickered, the web application immediately showed its weaknesses.
Mobile Web App development is best for:
- Software developed with low funding.
- Applications do not need to be posted on the App stores.
- Programmers with experience in Mobile Web App development (HTML, CSS, Javascript).
HYBRID APP
Definition:
This is a combined type of both Mobile Web App and Native App. Accordingly, the basic parts of the application are still written in the web programming language, but placed in the native container, so it can still be posted on the App Store
Pros of Hybrid App development:
- Hybrid can combine the strengths of both Native and Mobile Web Apps to exploit the highest experience of the platform.
- For example: It can display content on all mobile devices, make the most of the features of mobile devices such as GPS, Camera, Accelerometer, etc. (which cannot be done on mobile web), use even without internet connection. Mobile applications of some current news sites such as Vnexpress, Dantri, etc. are all hybrid applications.
Hybrid App development is best for:
- The application will be published on multiple platforms.
- Apps need to be posted on the App Stores.
- Programmer with experience in Web App development (HTML, CSS, Javascript).
In conclusion, each type of application has its own advantages and disadvantages. IT consultants in Vietnam helps in choosing you the right application type to build your application. With the current increasing trend of mobile use, Native Applications and Mobile Web Applications are becoming stronger than ever. If you are still not sure about which is most suitable for your business, let’s talk to us today! With years of experience in mobile development, our mobile app developer teams work hard to offer the best custom mobile app development services in Vietnam.
