Delving in to the dilemma - Hybrid Vs Native

At Kovid BioAnalytics Pvt. Ltd. , we have been known to favour Hybrid app development when the classic dilemma of mobile development is presented to us by our clients - "Kunal, should we go for Native Development or would Hybrid technology suite us better?". Let us delve in to the details of Hybrid technology.

Hybrid mobile apps are developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and they are wrapped in a native container that allows them to be deployed on multiple platforms (e.g., iOS, Android). Here are some reasons why hybrid mobile apps can make more sense than native apps in certain situations:

Cross-platform development:

Hybrid apps can be developed once and deployed on multiple platforms, which saves development time and effort compared to building separate native apps for each platform. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that want to reach a wider audience without investing in multiple development teams or resources.

Cost-effective:

Developing a single hybrid app instead of separate native apps for each platform can significantly reduce the development cost. It eliminates the need for specialized developers for each platform and minimizes the time required for development, testing, and maintenance.

Faster development and deployment:

Hybrid apps leverage web technologies, which are widely known and used by developers. This familiarity leads to faster development cycles and quicker deployment to the app stores. Additionally, updates and bug fixes can be rolled out more swiftly since they only need to be made once for all platforms.

Access to device features:

Hybrid apps can access certain native device features through plugins or frameworks. Although they may not have the same level of access as native apps, many common functionalities such as camera, geolocation, and push notifications can be utilized effectively in hybrid apps.

Consistent user experience:

Hybrid apps can provide a consistent user experience across platforms since they share a common codebase. This can be advantageous for maintaining a unified brand identity and ensuring a seamless user experience regardless of the device or operating system being used.

Easier maintenance:

Hybrid apps are easier to maintain compared to multiple native apps. When updates or bug fixes are required, they can be implemented in a single codebase and deployed to all platforms simultaneously. This streamlines the maintenance process and reduces the potential for inconsistencies or compatibility issues between different app versions.

However, it's worth noting that native apps still have certain advantages over hybrid apps in terms of performance, access to advanced device features, and the ability to leverage platform-specific design guidelines. The choice between hybrid and native development depends on factors such as the specific requirements of the app, target audience, development resources, and performance considerations.

About the Author:

Kunal Dhenge , Technical Lead at?Kovid BioAnalytics Pvt. Ltd.?has been working in the HealthTech domain for the past 4 years. With more than 8 years of experience across multiple mobile development platforms, Kunal leads the mobile development team at KBAPL from Discovery to Delivery. His technological insights, programming skills and awesome experience make Kunal one of the best at KBAPL.