Web and native apps have been in competition since the proliferation of mobile technology and although the two types of application have some similar features; they also have some stark differences. And these differences are there to help you decide which type of app you should opt for.
Whether you go web or native will depend on your budget and requirements. Here's a summary of what you can expect from each different type of app (and there's more than 2):
Native
The native approach uses a fast and reliable programming language but each language is tied to one specific platform. If you want a native app on iPhone and Android the code must be adjusted to meet each platform's standards.
Native apps have better functionality than any other app because they use all of a smartphone's features including the camera, accelerometer and address book - this offers a richer user experience. This type of app can be purchased and downloaded through a phone manufacturer's app store improving its distribution and visibility within the market.
Hybrid
This is a compromise between a native and web app; it is a native app embedded with HTML and lets you enjoy the benefits of a native app while ensuring it stays up to date with the latest web technologies. The Facebook app is an example of a hybrid app, it includes many native features but requires web updates to function correctly.
Web App
This is a mobile website designed to work across all platforms. Its obvious advantage is cross-platform compatibility and as web apps do not have to go through the distribution process of app stores, they reach more people as they are easily searchable. A disadvantage of the web app is that it cannot use all of a phone's features, for example, the camera. Web apps are ideal for sites that display content only and do not need access to a phone's internal features.
What's best?
It all depends on your scope - if you want a simple app to display content you should go for a web app but if you want to integrate a phone's camera or accelerometer you should go native for a more immersive user experience.
If you decide on a native app, you will need to make sure you have the budget - they can be more pricey than web apps because they require a lot more development work, especially if you are after an app for each platform. For a web app, you need to make sure what your audience are after in a mobile context, don't just regurgitate your entire website, pick out the best bits and offer your mobile users what they are after.
Clair M O'Neill works at mobile app development company Mubaloo, who have a range of highly-skilled Android app developers and iPhone app developers.
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