Do You Need a Web App
or a Native App?

We’re in a time and place where lots of businesses feel they need to
develop a mobile application. There are two types: web apps and
native apps. Let’s take a look at their key differences and review the
benefits that these apps can bring to your business.

A native app is developed for a mobile
device – phone, tablet or both, and can
be directly downloaded onto the device
from the App Store or Google Play.
There’s no functionality limit to
native apps as they use the
device’s technology.
NATIVE APPS

A web app accesses the internet via
your mobile device’s web browser, such
as Safari or Google Chrome. Many
airports use web apps to provide users
with a device-friendly interface with
shortcuts to arrivals and departures,
transport etc. Web browsers on your
device are web apps.
WEB APPS

DEVELOPING YOUR APP
For native apps, each mobile platform uses a different language to run.
iOS uses Objective-C, Android uses Java and Windows uses C++. To
work with all operating systems, you need 3 separate apps.
The development process for a web app involves the same languages
that websites use: JavaScript, HTML 5 and CSS3.
Native apps may take longer to develop, but they run faster and use
less data and battery life. A web app is faster to create, but runs slower.

FUNCTIONALITY
When a native app is developed it’s easy to ensure that it’s
compatible with the device’s hardware and standard features. With a
web app, there is a limit to how many device functions and features it
can use. But there are lots of apps that don’t rely on any other
function of your phone other than an internet browser.

BUDGETING FOR YOUR APP
A native app requires active updates to
fix problems, announce new features and
maintain security. Web apps just need
internet access to update.
Native apps can end-up more costly, because
each version of its device-specific software
needs to be maintained. Web apps all use the
same programming language, regardless of
the device.