Native or web app: the best choice for your idea

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Robert Schmuck
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You have an idea, a goal or perhaps even a finished concept. But before you start implementing it, there is one key question: Native app or web app?

Both have advantages, but which one suits your project, budget and the expectations of your users? Here you can find out the most important differences and how to make the right choice.

Native app

Do you want maximum performance, a smooth user experience and access to all device functions? Then a native app is the right choice. Particularly suitable for complex applications that need to work offline and offer the highest quality.

Web app

Do you need a solution that is quickly available, cost-efficient and can be used on all devices? Web apps run in the browser and do not require installation. Ideal if you want to reach your target group easily - without an app store and with low maintenance costs.

Hybrid app

Do you want to reach as many users as possible while saving time and money? Hybrid apps run on multiple platforms, can be published in the App Store and access many device functions. Perfect if you're looking for flexibility without a lot of extra technical effort.

The proven Native App

What is a native app?

A native app is a mobile application that has been specially developed for an operating system such as iOS or Android. It is programmed using platform-specific programming languages such as Swift for iOS or Java for Android.

They enable direct access to hardware functions such as camera, GPS or push notifications and impress with their high performance, short loading times and full offline capability. Ideal for applications with complex logic, sophisticated user experience or security-critical requirements.

The Native App

Pros	Cons
Optimized performance Native apps are specially developed for the operating system and hardware, which enables high speed and efficiency.	High development costs A separate app must be developed for each operating system (e.g. iOS and Android).
Full access to device functions They can seamlessly access the camera, GPS, microphone and other hardware functions.	Increased maintenance effort Different code bases for different platforms lead to more effort for maintenance and updating.
Better user experience The user interface can be adapted exactly to the design guidelines of the operating system, resulting in a familiar and optimized usability.	Longer update processes Updates often have to be approved by the app stores, which can take time.
Offline use Many native apps can save data locally and also function without an Internet connection.	Different concepts required In order to achieve maximum performance, customized concepts are often necessary for the respective platforms.

The modern web-based solution: Web Apps

A web app is a software application that is accessed via a web browser and has been developed so that it can be used on different devices and operating systems such as computers, tablets or smartphones, regardless of the platform. It can look practically identical to conventional apps on a smartphone, but is not downloaded from app stores.

Web apps are basically websites with the features of native apps, such as push notifications, GPS or camera access. They are implemented using classic web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Learn more about the different types of application development!

The Web App

Pros	Cons
Platform independence Web apps run on various devices and platforms via the web browser.	Limited access Compared to native apps, access to hardware functions such as the camera or GPS is limited.
No installation necessary Users can access it directly via the browser without having to download or install an app.	Perfomance Web apps can be slower and reach their limits with resource-intensive applications or a poor internet connection.
Cost-efficient development A single code base can be used on multiple platforms, saving development time and costs.	Difficult to find Without a presence in the app stores, web apps are less visible and harder to discover.
Easy updates Updates are made on the server side and do not require any action from the user.	Dependence on Internet connection A stable internet connection is required for most web apps.

The hybrid solution

Hybrid solutions offer a compromise by combining elements of both native apps and web apps. Hybrid apps are often built using web technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript and then packaged in a so-called “container” that allows access to native features of the device. This container can be implemented in the form of a native app framework, such as React Native.

Are you looking for a partner for efficient app development? Our experts will be happy to provide you with a free initial consultation!

The Hybrid App

Pros	Cons
Cross-platform code base A single code base can be used on different platforms (iOS, Android), which saves development time and costs.	Performance Hybrid apps may not offer the same performance as native apps, especially for demanding or resource-intensive applications.
Access to native functions Hybrid apps can access functions such as camera, GPS and contacts that are not normally available in web technologies.	Limited integration Hybrid apps cannot always keep up with native apps when it comes to very specific requirements for device functions or in-depth integration.
Easy updates Similar to web apps, updates can be carried out on the server side without users having to intervene manually.	Not suitable for all applications Hybrid solutions are not always the best choice when a particularly sophisticated user experience is required.
Visibility in app stores Hybrid apps can be published in the app stores, which improves their discovery and visibility.