As technology advances at lightning speed, the methods with which we build mobile apps change as well. As new and better ways to build mobile apps come available, the older methods are still used, depending on the purpose and functionality of the app.
At this point, there are basically three methods of building a mobile app: native apps, web-based apps, and hybrid apps. One common question is which method is better?
Native vs. Web-Based vs. Hybrid Mobile Apps
Web-based applications were once the cutting-edge of mobile app design. Their ability to respond to the different display sizes, and be used across devices made them very efficient to build and maintain. One major benefit was the ability to build an app once, and have it operate across different devices and operating systems. The app used from a desktop computer was basically the same app used from a mobile device.
As mobile devices increased in functionality, web-based decreased in usefulness. The hindrance with web-based apps is their inability to fully access the features on mobile devices. It’s for this reason that the best solution on mobile apps in 2015 and beyond is really between native and hybrid apps.
Native Apps Pros and Cons
When there is a need to access a lot of information or integrate with external systems, native apps have a clear advantage over hybrid apps. If you’re developing an app that is primarily chained to the device itself, such as a game or a ‘device-function app,’ like cameras or maps, native apps are a better choice.
Native offers better UI features, and apps can be made specifically to take advantage of the display and capabilities of devices to deliver an outstanding user experience with the app. Another area where native apps can outshine other options is when security is a major area of concern. Apps native to the device give a level of security that web-based and hybrid apps can’t.
However, there are some critical limitations with native apps, mostly in the area of integration to external systems. For most enterprises, building native apps brings a slew of problems and resource-intensive issues that make it an illogical choice.
Hybrid Apps Pros and Cons
Hybrid apps take the best of both worlds and meld it into a better way to build apps. With the appsFreedom platform, most of the apps built by our clients are hybrid apps, and for good reason.
Hybrid apps can apply a consistent look and feel across devices, which make a huge difference with user adoption rates at the enterprise level. Also, when working within a ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) organization, hybrid apps allow a standardization of workflows, processes, and app functionality across all devices.
Hybrid apps enjoy the integration abilities of web-based apps, while still being able to take full advantage of device capability. Hybrid apps can be used to integrate seamlessly with enterprise systems like CRM and SAP applications. They can also incorporate device functionality into those integrated systems, and business processes. For example, GPS functionality can be used to ensure procurement reviews come from the correct geo-location, and device cameras can be used to scan barcodes and document goods.
Which is Best?
Again, this depends on the function and purpose of the app. If you’re creating a device-centric application that has little need for cross-platform functionality or backend system integrations, native apps have a few advantages.
However, if you want to marry the advantages of native apps with uniformity, integration, and cross-platform functionality, hybrid apps are probably your best bet. For the most part, enterprise apps today are heavily leaning toward hybrid apps for this very reason.