Native App VS Hybrid App: Which is More Ideal For Your Business?

Life is unimaginable without smartphones. Smartphones offer various benefits like instant messaging, email communication, internet surfing, and so on. Companies are tapping into this domain and raking millions of bucks through different mobile apps. And so should you also start fleshing out your apps? But the question that mazes you is whether to choose between a native app or a hybrid app. Which approach is best for your business? This blog will answer all your questions. The experts at Esolz Technologies, the best mobile app development company, have enlisted below the pros and cons of each approach.

Native Apps: What are they?

When put simply, native apps are applications that are 'native' to the operating system of a mobile device. What this means is, these apps are downloaded from Google's Play Store or Apple's App Store. Native apps can use all the functionalities and features of the underlying device. They can use the camera, GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, push notifications, gestures (both in-built and app-defined), and so on.

Native apps are faster and more efficient since the developers utilise the native functionalities of the device to build the app.

The apps are specifically developed for platforms like Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry and will work on the specific OS only. However, the easy access to wide range of APIs helps in the development of the app, broadening the usage the app.

Apps like Apple's iMessage and Google Maps are the most widely used native apps. Games like Pokemon Go are an excellent native app that utilizes the device's GPS for navigational details, camera for augmented reality, and accelerometer for acceleration measurement.

.Now, that we know what native apps are, let's find out what hybrid apps are.

Hybrid Apps: What are they?

Hybrid apps are web apps packaged in a native wrapper. Hybrid apps are written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and then delisted into a native app. Therefore, hybrid apps are a hybrid of web apps and native apps, i.e., they are downloaded like a native app but function as a web app.

Hybrid apps require internet connectivity to work since they lack this functionality. Hybrid apps work with the help of internal APIs (application program interfaces) to retain most of the functionalities of the mobile device.

A hybrid app functions as a web app but looks and feels like a native app, although the UI is not consistent with the underlying device's UX. Since hybrid apps retain the features of both web apps and native apps, hence the name 'hybrid' app.

Examples of hybrid apps include the previous version of Facebook before it was integrated into the native ecosystem. Other popular examples include Uber, Evernote, Baskin Robbins, Flipkart, and many more.

Now that we know what native and hybrid apps are, let's discuss the pros and cons of each type of app.

Pros and Cons of Native Apps

Pros:

• Native apps offer a wide range of functionalities since they utilize the power of the underlying mobile device.

• Native apps work with or without internet connectivity.

• The UI matches the UX of the OS of the device.

• Native apps are faster and more efficient.

• Native apps are responsive.

• Native apps utilize the push notification functionality.

• You can check the quality of a native app on the app store.

Cons:

• Multiple codebases result in more time spent developing an app.

• Due to the above reason, more developers are needed to handle each code base for separate platforms, which adds up to the cost of development. Therefore, native apps are pricey to develop and maintain.

• Native app updates are taxing, to say the least since developers have to update codes and features for different platforms for each update.

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Apps

Pros:

• Hybrid apps offer cross-platform functionality due to a single codebase for separate platforms.

• Hybrid app maintenance and development is easier and the time consumed is less compared to native app development. This is made possible due to the use of a single codebase.

• Due to the single codebase hybrid app development is less expensive compared to native app development.

Cons:

• Hybrid apps can only function with an active internet connection, unlike native apps that have offline functionality.

• Due to the architecture of hybrid apps, to use features of the mobile device you have to rely on external plugins.

• The UX is below par when compared to native apps. This is caused due to compromise on functionality on both the operating systems: Android and iOS. If a developer focuses more on the user experience of the Android platform, then the iOS version will be compromised and vice versa.

• Hybrid apps are developed by native app developers since developing a hybrid app does not correct the features that are perennial to the development of native apps.

Conclusion

Choosing between native and hybrid app development depends on the following factors:

• The goal of developing the app.

• The budget allotted for developing the application.

• The requirement of features.

• Are you looking to outsource the app development process? Or are you looking for in-house app development?

• Time allotted for app development. If you have more than 6 months to develop an app, opt for native app development. But, if you have less than 6 months to develop an app, opt for hybrid app development.

• The target audience of the app.

• How users will use the app?

• The availability of the application on app stores.

• The frequency of updating the application.

• The complexity level of functionality of the application needs to be considered when choosing between native and hybrid apps.

• You need to bear in mind whether or not you want to use all the native features of the mobile device.

• The user experience you want to offer to your clients.

• The development resources the company has.

When you are sure of the above points then should you decide between native or hybrid app development!

Need Assistance?

Book a free consultation of our mobile app development services to help you choose between native and mobile apps. Our experience of 15 years makes us the best mobile app development company offering comprehensive support throughout the life-cycle of the project. We boast a team of dedicated mobile app developers who will provide the best-in-class mobile app development services.

Our services are unmatchable and our prices won't make you punch yourself in the gut! Visit www.esolz.net and increase your chances of succeeding in your business endeavours.