How to choose between Web App and Native App.

Developing a successful app requires lot of thorough research and analysis followed by designing, development, testing and launch. Native apps are referred to as apps that are built for specific platforms like iOS or Android whereas, web apps are applications that are accessed via a web browser and one need not install the app.

In order to decide which suits best for your needs is a challenging task for any app developer. Here are few points that explains the comparison between web app and native app.

User interface: Both native and mobile app functions same way in this case with very little difference between them. Native mobile apps provides quite smooth user interface when compared because everything is installed including the interface between elements and data. On the other hand, web apps require stable internet connection for their access and one of the major drawback of web apps is the inability to show push notifications and users can access very limited features. The choice between these two types of apps comes only when you have decided to develop either a user-centric app or an application-centric app.

App development process: Native app developed for each mobile platform has its own unique development process and on other hand web apps running on mobile device’s browser differs with features and has its own problems. Every mobile platform uses its own programming language whereas web apps uses languages like HTML5, JavaScript or other web app frameworks. Mobile platform provides developer its own standardized SDK and development tools which they can use for developing apps but in case of web apps there is no such standardization and the developer has no access to SDK’s.

Efficiency: Web apps are cost effective than native apps since developing a web app requires a team of mobile app developers to develop it. But developing native apps are quite expensive because you need to hire both Android and iOS app developers if you have decided to build apps on both of these platforms. Coming to efficiency, native apps are more efficient than web apps because the app stores that have native apps meets the standards of quality before they are launched whereas web apps has no authentication to ensure that is maintains the quality.

App monetization: Making money on web apps are easier when compared native apps. Mobile platforms may put down some restrictions on integrating services with certain ad platforms and networks. App stores may reduce your app’s visibility if the ads are interrupting the user and if you receive negative comments on play store. Web apps enables you to monetize apps easily through advertisements and subscription fees. Developing a web app will help you in targeting huge audience through simple and effective marketing strategies but you need to setup your own payment system to manage your transactions.

Visual style: Native apps are engaging when compared to web apps. Native apps has its own screen and has nothing to do with the device browser screen whereas web apps are completely opposite. Transition from one screen to the next is immediate since all the elements that are necessary to interact with the app exist locally. In case of web app, only those elements are available to you are the ones that are accommodated by the browser. Performance may also slow down because it takes time for transition from one screen to other and it also depends on the speed of your internet connection as well as the quality of the server. Users may get confused between the device’s navigation system, browser’s navigation system and also the app’s navigation system.