Types of mobile applications
Native Apps are apps developed for a specific mobile operating system (iOS or Android normally), in the specific programming language of each platform. This means that a native app created for Android cannot be used on an iOS device and vice versa.
It is the best known type of mobile application. For it to work, we must download it from the app markets, like App Store or Google Play and install it on our phone.
Advantage
- They have the best performance. Native applications are the fastest and they have a superior performance to other types of apps, as they have been specifically optimised for the device’s hardware and operating system.
- Full access and integration with device hardware functions. Native apps allow you to make the most of mobile functionalities: camera, microphone, biometric fingerprint reader, sensors, wireless networks (Wi-Fi, bluetooth …).
- They can operate without Internet access (offline operation) if they have been designed for it.
Disadvantages
- High development costs. If we want to have our app available for both systems, we will need two different lines of development, since the code used for one system is not reusable for another.
- Development complexity. We need expert teams in the specific language of each system. For example, in Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS.
- Higher development time. From 4 to 6 months.
Examples of native apps
- WhatsApp.
- Facebook.
- Twitter.
- Netflix.
- Spotify.
- Pokemon Go.
- Shazam.
2. Hybrid app
Hybrid or cross-platform applications combine elements of native applications and web applications. These applications are developed using web technologies in web application development company such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but they are packaged in a format that can be installed on a mobile device like any other native application. Therefore, we can obtain an application for several platforms with a single development.
React Native has become the most widely used work framework. Allows developers to create native applications for Android and iOS using JavaScript and React, allowing them to accelerate the development process and offer a performance similar to that of native applications.
Advantage
- Lower cost thanks to the use of better known programming languages, with a greater availability of professionals in the market.
- Multiplatform character, with a single line of development.
- Access to some mobile functionalities.
- Reduction of development times to 3 months.
- They can upload to app markets (App Store and Google Play), thus obtaining the advantages that this implies, such as the option of monetization by downloading or the visibility and accessibility.
Disadvantages
- Lower performance to a native app. They are usually considerable in size and also slower.
- The access to device functions is limited.
Examples of hybrid apps
- Amazon.
- Instagram.
- Uber.
- Gmail.
- Evernote.
3. Web App
In this case, web apps or web applications really are websites specially designed for mobile browsers. Unlike native or hybrid apps, they do not need to be downloaded, since they are accessed from a web browser.
Employ the same web application development services as a website, such as HTML, CSS or JavaScript. Thus, we would be talking about an app-like website, so it would have the same limitations. However, with the arrival of HTML 5, some limitations have been overcome, such as access to some mobile functionalities (geolocation, cameras)
Advantage
- Multiplatform character, with a single line of development.
- Easy development, since widely known technologies are used.
- Low development time and cost.
Disadvantages
- Limited access to the functions of the device.
- Cannot upload to app stores.
- Different user experiences depending on the browser used.
- Need to have an Internet connection even if you have a mode designed for it. This is necessary to access possible updates or to enter for the first time.
Progressive Applications (PWA)
Progressive Applications (PWA or Progressive Web App) are a recent preview of Web Apps. Like web apps, they are websites designed for mobiles but this time, they can be downloaded on mobile as one more application, although it is not necessary for them to offer a behaviour similar to that of a native app through the browser.
PWAs adopt a behaviour more typical of native applications than web, such as Internet-free operation, increased performance, or background operation. However, as a disadvantage, we still have the impossibility of uploading them to the application markets.
Examples of web applications
- Google Docs.
- Microsoft Office Online.
- Pixlr.
- Spotify (web).
- Trello.
- Netflix (web).
Comparison of application types
What type of app to choose?
The type of application to choose will depend on the starting situation, the resources and the public to which we want to address:
- According to our audience: We have to take into account the operating system that is mostly used by our target audience. To give you an idea, Android predominates in Spain with a 84.1% market. If you opt for a native app, you have to take it into account for its web app development company.
- According to time: If you need to have an application in the shortest possible time, web applications and hybrids will be a great option.
- Depending on performance and device access: If you need great performance and access to device-specific functions, you need a native app.
- According to the budget: If your budget is limited, web and hybrid applications are the cheapest options. Then, you can choose depending on whether you want to have a presence in the app stores or not, among other factors.
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