Native apps, web apps, hybrid apps, and progressive web apps: the best app is the one that suits your needs

Whether you need a field service management app, a supplier portal, an e-commerce app, or a business-specific app, companies should first understand the different types of mobile architectures. Today's available application types include native apps, web apps, hybrid apps, and progressive web apps, and the development process and user experience of each application are different. Questions such as whether the application needs to be connected to the Internet, whether it needs to access native device functions, the development budget, and the expected launch time need to be planned in the pre-development preparation stage to ensure a smooth development process. This article summarizes the characteristics of these types of applications so that companies can use them as a reference when building development plans.

Native Apps

Native apps are apps that are customized to run on specific devices and operating systems. Users can download them through app stores.

Among all types of mobile applications, native applications are able to provide excellent user experience because they are written in device-specific programming languages. For example, Android applications are written in Java or Kotlin, and Apple applications are written in Swift. Therefore, native applications can interact with other features of the device, such as the microphone, camera, and push notifications.

Currently, with the increasing number of cross-platform tools such as Flutter and React Native, developers of different skill levels can participate in the development of native applications.

advantage:

Provide excellent performance and user experience

Ability to interact with native device functionality

Fast speed and sensitive response

Higher long-term value

shortcoming:

High initial investment

Web Apps

Web applications are website versions of applications provided through browsers such as Safari and Google Chrome. For example, Outlook mailbox logged in through the web page is one of the common web applications. Any device with a browser can be used to access web applications. Since it is possible to build a unified network application for multiple platforms, it makes development and maintenance easier.

Web apps don’t need to be downloaded from an app store, so they don’t take up storage space on a user’s device. But they do require an internet connection to work, which can result in slow loading times and poor usability.

advantage:

No downloading and device storage required

Easy to maintain

 Available on all devices and platforms

shortcoming:

Internet connection required

Slow loading speed

Limited access to native device functionality

Hybrid Apps

Hybrid apps are a mix of web pages and native apps. TechTarget believes that "hybrid apps are essentially web apps wrapped in a native app shell." This type of app is written in cross-platform languages ​​such as HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.

One of the most attractive features of hybrid apps is that you can create and manage a unified code base, but this is also the reason why it is not favored by the market. Each platform has its own differences. Because hybrid apps are not designed specifically for iOS or Android, their performance and user experience will inevitably be affected.

advantage:

• Fast time to market

• Unified code base

shortcoming:

• Slow loading speed

• Poor performance

• On the verge of obsolescence

Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) run in a web browser but have the functionality (like push notifications) and look and feel of native apps.

PWA can be run offline and installed on devices. Users can find such applications in Google and Microsoft app stores, but Apple's app store has strict regulations, so all PWAs have functional limitations.

advantage:

Quick time to market

Push notifications

Similar to native apps

shortcoming:

 Unable to access some device features (Bluetooth, camera, etc.)

Limited on Apple devices

How to choose between native apps, web apps, hybrid apps, and progressive web apps

Each mobile architecture has its own uses, so the choice depends on several factors:

• The needs of the target user group;

• The complexity planned at the beginning of the application design;

• Development budget and long-term maintenance budget;

• Planned launch date;

• The need to access device features (such as camera, GPS, etc.);

The application of existing technologies and the development of new technologies will continue to promote the growth of the mobile application industry, and by 2025, mobile application development will generate more than $600 billion in revenue. Low-code development can simplify the mobile application development process, allowing teams to deploy and maintain various mobile architectures for all devices in a unified low-code platform. Low-code can also abstract and automate the entire application life cycle in a visual drag-and-drop environment, making development fast and easy.