Comparison of Native vs. Web vs. Hybrid Application Platforms

While considering our options for getting a mobile application developed, we must consider something important: native, web or hybrid. Should we get a native mobile app developed for the company, or would a web application be a better choice? Would a hybrid app be a better option for the enterprise as compared to the other two, or would it just be a waste of your expenses? What should we consider when making these decisions? What are the benefits of native apps that web apps or hybrid apps don’t provide, and what’s there in hybrid apps, per say, that you will not find in a native or web mobile application?

All the three types of mobile application development platforms have their own benefits and limitations, advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons. There are experienced developers worldwide who can get you the perfect mobile app solution, yet the question is, which type is the better option. Below is a comparison of all you need to consider when making this important decision for your company, based on a general platform type.

Native Applications

Native mobile apps are specifically written for particular hardware platforms on the operating system level, i.e.: Android, iOS, etc., using OS-specific mobile application development tools. Developers can use the hottest APIs and frameworks, but the code cannot be ported onto another platform. These apps also have the best appearances and functionality.

Advantages:

1. Native apps take full optimization while interacting with internal features of the device
2. Easier to run native apps; one touch away
3. Native apps run the fastest in comparison
4. Developer is required to get the app approved by the app store for availability for users; once approved, the app store can give the developer full support, easy look-up in the app store and complete security and safety to user for their app
5. Work best for developers as they have the required OS-specific tools for app development
6. Native apps have the best graphics and APIs
7. There will be minimum glitches, resulting in smooth performance, especially in gaming modules as the app is OS-specific
8. Push notifications can alert users immediately, unlike with a web app
9. Developer will only have to update and provide support for a solitary mobile platform, not needing to update multiple codes

Disadvantages:

1. Apps cannot be ported onto other platforms; iOS app will not work on Android
2. Projects are more costly for developers; especially if the app is available across device versions, such as iOS 6, iOS 7, and iPod, iPhone, etc.
3. Maintenance and updates are costly and tiresome for developer, as is with developing process of the app, especially for diversity in device type and version
4. Process of app approval from the app store is tedious
5. No guarantee that the app will get approved
6. No guarantee of quick popularity among the customers
7. App needs to be downloaded and take up space on user device
8. Cannot be used on the web

Web Applications

Mobile web apps are software that require web browsers to run and are developed in a browser-supported language, e.g.: HTML + CSS, or JavaScript. They have easy compatibility on several operating systems. There is no native code used as a must and the apps qualify as mobile websites. Generally, though, a mobile website is read-only while a mobile web app is read-write, enabling the user to interact with the application.

Advantages:

1. Easy maintenance
2. Easy manipulation for compatibility with device versions/types
3. Do not require approval by app stores - can be launched as per developer preferences
4. Easy and quick app updatability without updating on app stores
5. Wide variety of functions possible due to HTML5
6. Do not need to be downloaded
7. No framework/code restrictions
8. Least expensive among the three
9. Only requirement is common skills for app development
10. Developers don’t need to give a cut of the profit from downloads to app stores
11. Easily searchable on any web browser

Disadvantages:

1. Can only run in a browser
2. Restricted offline operations for web apps
3. Limited scope for accessing device features
4. Web apps are not listed in app stores, causing difficulty for users to find it
5. Users are not always guaranteed security and safety
6. Slower performance due to need of internet
7. No push notifications
8. Lack of OS-particular gestures and features causes confusion for user

Hybrid Applications

Hybrid or cross platform mobile apps are those that have features of the native app but run like a web application in the way that they can function on two or more platforms. A single codebase and framework is used to write the code for the application, after which the app can run over a number of platforms. A good example of a hybrid or cross platform application is Facebook. Hybrid apps are native apps in functionality and downloadability but access the internet for user interaction.

Advantages:

1. Integration of web and native app features
2. Usability of device hardware and features
3. Ability of device to access internet
4. Offline availability for certain features
5. Works on multiple platforms using single codebase and framework
6. Faster and cheaper to develop hybrid apps than writing multiple apps using OS-specific codes
7. Native features cause apps to be downloadable through app stores
8. Push notifications
9. Apps need approval to be added to app store, giving them user safety, security and support
10. Apps are downloadable

Disadvantages:

1. Limitations in the number of addable features to application due to being native x web
2. Strength of internet connection can slow down navigation speed of app
3. No searchability by browser unless a landing page is established
4. Hybrid updates have to be re-approved
5. Inclusion of web codes can cause some features to be unusable
6. Apps must be installed to be used and take up space on device

All the three types of mobile applications are being developed on the global scale while having their own glitches and perfections. While an app may have a shortcoming, customers manage to find something in it to cause publicity and continue usage. Meanwhile, other mobile applications happen to be one of the best, yet some user ends up discovering a flaw. Now, it is up to your company to choose your type of application according to your requirements and budgets. If you have any queries, merely need advice on making a decision or would like to hire us as your developers, contact DevBatch now.

About the Author: Waqas Khan Pitafi
Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO - DevBatch (Mobility, Apps), Senior InfoSec Consultant (MS, University of Liverpool)

Originally Published: Native vs. Web vs. Hybrid Application Platforms