Is the Rise of Super Apps Threatening Traditional Mobile App Development? What It Means for Developers’ Future.

Alright, let’s talk about super apps. You know, those all-in-one champions like WeChat, and let me mention that it’s user base just keeps growing! By the end of September 2024, the app hit over 1.38 billion monthly active users. That's huge!?

And Gojek apps that make your phone feel like it’s got everything you’ll ever need. From chatting to paying bills, booking a ride, or ordering food.?

Pretty good, right?

Well yes, it’s not available in many countries currently. But the big question is are we stepping into a world where everything has to be in one app??

And if super apps are taking over, what does that mean for the little guys, I mean, the single-purpose apps that used to be the stars of the show? It’s time to get our heads around this shift and figure out what the future of mobile development really looks like.

From one angle, super apps definitely make things more convenient for users. Why download a dozen different apps when you can get everything in one place??

But if I think from a developer’s perspective, this trend makes me question the longevity of single-function apps. It seems like users are getting used to a seamless, integrated experience that you just can’t match with standalone apps.

If people expect more multifunctionality, where does that leave the traditional apps focused on doing one thing really well? I think developers may have to rethink how they design their apps to either work within these ecosystems or stand out by offering a super-specialized, high-quality experience.

There’s also a shift in the skills developers need. Working on a super app requires a broader, more versatile skill set because apart from building an app, you’re also creating something that can handle tons of integrations and communicate with a bunch of APIs. If you’re developing for one of these big platforms, it’s not about the app itself anymore, but how your app plays with others, how well it scales, and how securely it handles data across multiple services.?

And security is a huge part of this. Super apps deal with sensitive data across multiple services, so developers need to prioritize secure authentication and data protection.

Looking ahead, I think this could mean that developers who can adapt and work within these large ecosystems will have an edge. But it’s also a wake-up call for those of us who have focused on building one specific type of app. To stay relevant, we might need to think beyond just the app itself, considering integrations, the user journey, and how to meet this growing demand for multifunctionality without compromising on quality.

It’s an exciting time but also a bit of a challenge. And we may need to adjust our strategies to fit into a future that values flexibility, security, and adaptability above all.

As Charles Darwin said,

It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

Oh, and did I mention??

If you're ready to stop just following trends and start setting them, we're here for it!