The 3 Types of Apps Explained

Mobile apps today come in hundreds of categories – games, social networking, travel, productivity, utilities, shopping, lifestyle, education, healthcare and fitness, and so forth. They have become so ubiquitous today that we already take for granted the sophistication and craftsmanship that goes into making them.

From a development point of view, mobile apps are of three types: native, hybrid, and web apps. All of them have their own development process along with features, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Different Types of Apps

Finding it difficult to determine what type of app is suited for your company needs? Read below for native, hybrid, and web app differences to let you know more about what all these are and which of these could be applicable to you.

Native Apps

Native applications are coded specifically for a specific operating system, such as Android or iOS. An app coded for iOS, therefore, would not be operational on Android, and an app coded for Android would not be operational on iOS. Due to this reason, companies prefer to employ developers with expertise in a single platform. Native applications are some of the languages with which Java, Python, and C++ are coded.

Native apps have a number of benefits. First and foremost, performance—most are faster and more efficient than hybrid apps. The user experience is also typically smoother since the apps are optimized for the device’s UI and can take advantage of native features like GPS, camera, and Bluetooth.

But the greatest disadvantage is effort and expense. Firms will have to maintain two versions of the app in operation in order to reach Android and iOS users. Facebook’s React Native type of platforms will save development time through code sharing, but native development takes more time and effort. Additionally, native apps take up more space on users’ devices, especially when they come out with updates.

Hybrid Apps

Apps such as Gmail and Instagram are hybrid apps. Although they are web apps technically, they are quite closer to native apps by the implementation inside an embedded browser inside a mobile app. Apart from one key difference with native apps, i.e., hybrid apps can accommodate multiple platforms with a single codebase.

The greatest advantage of hybrid apps is that they are efficient. Because the developers create just a single version of the application, the development process is quicker and cheaper compared to native development. The apps can be used offline, and updating is simpler, and that’s why the apps are useful for most companies.

Hybrid apps are also well-suited for rolling out a minimum viable product (MVP), with which firms can test out functionality prior to investing in a native build. They can also be useful where there is slower internet speed, since they provide easier access to users.

All that being said, hybrid apps have their drawbacks. Performance will generally be less good than native apps, there will be a tendency to lag and be unstable. Furthermore, the interface and experience are not necessarily platform consistent. A developer’s familiarity with a particular OS can determine how well the app performs on one platform versus another, bringing inconsistencies between the iOS and Android versions.

Web Apps

Web applications work entirely on a web browser and are accessed through mobile devices without any need for downloading. They are usually created based on common web technologies such as HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, and the like of these software packages.

Similar to hybrid applications, another major benefit of web applications is that they do not need multiple codebases or platform-specific implementations. This translates to quicker development and lower manufacturing costs. They are also responsive, conforming to the screen size and user interface of the device utilized.

As web apps do not have to be installed, they also spare users the hassle of reserving device storage space for the app or app updates.

Although, as with any app type, web apps are not without some drawbacks. Their largest drawback is that they are entirely dependent on what the browser can do. If the browser does not have a particular feature, so too will the app be limited in features. Additionally, the end-user experience would be dependent on what browser they have, as not all browsers will provide the same level of support and performance.

Web apps also lag when it comes to offline functionality. Although they can provide an offline mode, features in this state are limited. For instance, users generally are not able to save data or carry out essential operations offline.

Which One to Use?

Which kind of app is ideal for your business needs? The right choice relies on your budget, timing, and performance needs.

If you’re most concerned with performance and stability, and you have both the funds and time to commit, a native app is perhaps the route to take. Particularly for new companies launching their inaugural app, working with a seasoned development team can guarantee a smooth, tailored product that generates confidence and trust.

Or, if your project has a deadline or you must operate with limited resources, web or hybrid apps would be the best option. Web apps have the quickest turnaround time, and hybrid apps are wonderful MVPs, ideal for testing functionality and feedback before investing in a fully app-enabled native version.

FAQs

How critical is user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design in application development?

UI and UX are the most influential aspects of success for an app. Both play a direct impact on user engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Efficient and simplified experience can enable increased levels of usability through enhancing usage sessions by length and with a positive effect on the performance of the application as a whole.

Can hybrid apps integrate hardware features of devices like native applications?

Yes, hybrid apps do get access to device features like GPS, camera, and accelerometers through plugins and APIs. These are not always as responsive or smooth as native app integrations, though, and can affect the overall user experience at times.

Where does app security come in the development process?

App security is the most important thing, particularly when dealing with sensitive data or money transactions. Data encryption, secure communication channels, and compliance with privacy regulations are all necessary to protect users’ data and gain trust.

How does native, hybrid, and web app selection impact app updates and maintenance?

Native apps require greater maintenance effort because updates have to be separately carried out on every platform. Hybrid and web apps enjoy the advantage of shared codebase, so updates and feature deployment across platforms can happen more quickly.

What are the factors of app scalability to consider when choosing the development approach?

Scalability is the ability to support future increases in features and a growing user base. Native applications have excellent performance scalability, but they may require more resources to scale across platforms. Hybrid and online applications can scale faster cross-platform, but they may not be able to support strict performance requirements.