NATIVE VS. HYBRID APPS

Native apps are those apps that are developed specifically for a chosen platform. An app developed for Android phones will not work on an iOS system, and vice versa. Native apps provide users with a platform-tailored UX experience and high performance. They can also include advanced functionalities by making use of the proprietary features of the platform.

To build native apps, software developers need to be knowledgeable in the programming language specific to that operating system. For Android systems, it’s Kotlin or Java. For iOS, it’s Objective-C or Swift.

Hybrid apps are apps that look just like a native app, except that they are actually websites packaged in a container that mimics the behaviour of a mobile app. They use a mini web browser called WebView to access a website, even though the user never has the impression that they are browsing the web because the interface can be made to look exactly like a native mobile app. Instagram, Twitter, and Uber all have successful hybrid apps that remain among the most popular and useful mobile apps.

HYBRID APPS CAN BE MORE COST-EFFICIENT

Native apps may be a lot more costly to build than hybrid apps. Depending on your project scale, you may end up saving anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 by opting for a hybrid app instead of a native one. However, the cost is not the only factor that determines your development approach here.

PROS AND CONS OF HYBRID APPS 

If you want to develop content-heavy applications that don’t require a lot of advanced functionalities native to a mobile platform, the hybrid app approach can save you both time and money. Hybrid apps are much faster to develop and can be used on multiple operating systems without any hassle (for example, your hybrid app may be compatible with both iOS and Android).

Translating your web code for iOS/Android is fast and easy using a hybrid app framework. Essentially, you can develop a website in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and turn it into a mobile app this way.

However, if you intend to add additional custom features to the app, the development process may take longer than in the case of a native app development.

Hybrid apps will not work offline since they need the Internet to access the website. Depending on your Internet connection, they may be slower to load. Since there is only one codebase for both platforms, you may encounter performance inconsistencies if one feature is available on one platform but not the other.

PROS AND CONS OF NATIVE APPS

Regarded as the industry standard, the native app approach is the way to go if you want a robust app with advanced features, peak performance, great graphic design, and better security.

Native apps can access the device’s full feature set, and they can perform advanced functionalities such as memory optimization, network manipulation, graphic card access, and more. Due to their ability to offer smooth transitions, outstanding graphics, and fluid animations, they are the number one choice for gaming or graphical editing apps.

Native apps are also more secure thanks to the ability to access the OS’ built-in security features. On top of that, they can work offline without requiring a constant internet connection.

On the flip side, native apps are more expensive to develop and take longer to build. Finding the right talent to build them may also prove to be a challenge.

As you can see, the choice is not easy. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to build a native app or not. Before committing your financial resources to either approach, it’s best to schedule a free consultation to get the best advice from our experts. Send an email to support@stepsoftware.com and we’ll help you determine your best course of action.