Hybrid Versus Native App Development, Which Is Better?

Many business owners particularly startups have a hard time making a choice between having a hybrid or native app in their desire to achieve a deeper market penetration as it regards mobile app development. The battle between hybrid and native mobile apps has been there for quite a while and there’s no telling when and if it ends.

There are many factors that determine the choice of one against the other such as time, your goals, budget, and features among many others. Determining these at first before going into production will not only help for a better choice-making process but could save you money and also increase your earnings based on the time frame. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each one and make good and well-informed research with your developer to help you derive the maximum satisfaction on your choice. So far, there is no wrong choice once you determine what best suits your type of business considering its relation with time.

Differences Between Native and Hybrid Apps

Native Apps

They are by far the most popular and readily come to mind when people think of mobile applications. They are downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. What makes the native app distinctive from the web and hybrid apps is its specificity in design and purpose. For instance, while the android apps are written in Java, the iPhone apps are written in Objective-C. Native apps have the advantage of speed and reliability in terms of user experience. Besides, they are usually built to interact with all the features of the device’s operating system – camera, contacts lists, microphone, etc, etc. They are the most expensive to build particularly if you intend to build for multiple platforms such as both Android and iPhones including the requirement to keep the app updated.

Added to their fast operation, native apps also load faster. They are more intuitive and seamless. They also follow better standards by following a specific UX/UI for creating apps for both Android and iOS allowing easy learning, understanding, and navigation for users.

You May Also Like: A/B Testing Your Website: What, Why & How to Do A/B Testing

Web App

Web applications are actually websites designed in such a way that makes them feel like mobile apps. They run in multiple browsers – Safari, Chrome, Windows browser and are written in HTML5 as well as Javascript. If you are a startup budget is a low one, and one not requiring complex functionalities or access to operating system features, building a web app can be the best option since they are inexpensive and are usually easy and fast. The disadvantage to it is that they are slow, unable to access through application stores, and less intuitive. Additionally,  users will not have your application downloaded on their phones, this means that it could be easily forgotten by users. When apps are downloaded on the phone users will constantly be reminded about its existence and the services it offers. This is a very powerful aspect of the native apps whereby users are constantly reminded about the reason why they chose to download it in the first place.

Hybrid Apps

Hybrid applications combine features of both native and web applications. Hybrid apps are also distributed on app stores and Google play stores like the native apps, they also have the ability to incorporate the features of the device’s operating system. Hybrid apps, like web applications, can also make use of such technologies that allow for cross-compatibility across websites.

Hybrid apps require less maintenance. However, they will usually run as fast as the speed of your browser upon which they are completely dependent. They are not as fast in operation as the native applications.

A major advantage of hybrid applications is that they can be built on a single base. This feature gives you the flexibility of adding new functionalities across multiple versions of the app on different platforms. Unlike native apps that need total replication of every single new feature that is being introduced on each platform, the hybrid gets all done in one fell swoop.

Time considerations

The speed of the introduction of your app to the market can also determine what choice you make. Sometimes you want to be the first to introduce this app to the market so as to beat your competition. Going hybrid may be your best option as it can incorporate the features of both worlds. Where you have enough time to plan things out, such as having several months ahead, we suggest you go with the native app

Other considerations could be your budget; web and hybrid apps are quite attainable with a lower budget. The frequency of updates can also determine what choice you make. Hybrid is the best choice for an app that is expected to require regular bug fixes because maintenance is not very costly.

However, when the thought of building an app that can work in offline mode you have to ditch the web-based and hybrid apps and go for the native app as they usually do not need the internet. Not requiring the internet to run makes the native app load faster than the web-based and hybrid which would have to load through the internet, its speed is determined by that of your browser.

Privacy and Security

Many companies know that in building apps, certain features come quite naturally, such as building your app without navigational features. Certain features such as social integration contribute to the visual appeal of the app.

However, there are those very important background features that are seldom considered but are very necessary for the app to retain credibility, win and maintain users’ trust for as long as possible. They are very basic and do not appeal to the naked eye but are intrinsic and must be incorporated in the building of the app. Such is the place of the security of your mobile app.

As more issues on privacy and security make the headlines in today’s news, folks are getting very concerned about how to keep their accounts free from hackers’ activities such as identity theft, funds thefts, and various other related issues.

Most firms, when building their apps or making a choice to do so, concentrate more on visual appeal, potential reach, functionality, and some other preferences. An app that is built without paying attention to security is a terrible mistake. You don’t want your app to be easily broken through and users’ data, passwords, virtual monies, identities, etc. get stolen. Such can cause you a lot of damage, besides the very high possibility of losing your business, you could be in serious legal trouble. This is why you want to get ahead of security and have your data secured in the most appropriate way.

Understanding the essentiality of security and factoring it in the building of your application can also help you determine whether you should use native, web-based, or hybrid apps. They all have their different security challenges but those that are web-based are usually the weakest in terms of the security breach. They require an added level of work to keep them secure.

You May Also Like: Five Reasons Every Small Business Needs a Website

Conclusion

Whether you are a start-up or an already established business, it is important to know and understand the differences offered by each of the above options in order to make the right choice. Considering the pros and cons of each of these app choices – native, mobile web-based, or hybrid based on their weakness and strengths will ultimately help you immediately and in the long run but basically by your startup needs.

Head on to the developer’s desk to discuss bringing your idea to life once you are done considering all that has been discussed here. The best practice is to outsource the development of your app which allows you to test-run it before pushing it to the markets. Such teams will help give your application a very natural feel and a more user-friendly introduction rather than jumping into the ocean unguarded.