Native vs. Webapp

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Robert Schmuck
CTO | Technology

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In the 21st century, apps are commonplace. Few people think about what types of apps there are. For example, we differentiate between native apps and web apps. This means whether the application should be installed on the device itself (native app) or run via the mobile device’s web browser (web app).

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The proven Native App

Native apps, also known as mobile apps, are developed for a platform-specific operating system, such as Android (in Java), iOS (in Swift), Windows or Mac (various languages). Accordingly, it must be installed on the user’s device from an app store or other source.

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.
Wide range Availability in app stores makes it easier for users to find and offers an additional marketing platform.

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.
Shortcut on home screen Web apps can be placed on the home screen of a device and thus offer a similar user experience to native 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.
Offline use As with native apps, hybrid apps can save data locally and work in offline mode.