Native, Hybrid, or Web Apps: Advantages and Disadvantages

In the last few decades, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, becoming the most used technological tool. The success of this device is closely linked to the development of applications that allow instant access to services of all kinds. Chats, emails, social networks, web browsers, GPS... thanks to applications, mobile devices become true tools for work, entertainment, household management, and much more.

With the expansion of the smartphone market, many companies are adopting systems to integrate mobile apps into their work to increase their market presence. However, there are essential distinctions to keep in mind in app development, particularly the distinction between native apps, web apps, and hybrid apps. When choosing, it is important to consider some essential aspects, namely:

• the final goal to be achieved;
• functions and features;
• available budget;
• development speed.

Let's examine in detail the different types of apps and how to choose the best solution for your needs.

We have already analyzed in detail the advantages and disadvantages of custom mobile apps. In this article, we will delve into the characteristics and differences between Native, Hybrid, or Web applications, focusing on the pros and cons for companies.

Native Apps

A native app is an application developed for a specific operating system and platform. For example, Swift programming language is used for iOS, while Java or Kotlin languages are used for Android. Native apps interface directly with the reference system, thus exploiting the full potential and resources of the device. This type of app does not need a browser to function and is particularly suitable for projects that require a lot of computational resources.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Native Apps

The advantages of this type of application are numerous. Here are a few:

• High performance and speed. Being created for a specific operating system, native apps perfectly interact with all the features of the device.
• User Experience. They mimic the user experience of the operating system they "run" on, offering a consistent and thus simpler user experience.
• Offline operation. They do not need to be downloaded from a server: once the app is downloaded from the store, it already contains the code, allowing offline functionality.
• Security. To be included in the App Store, apps must be reviewed and approved, ensuring greater security for users.

However, they also have some disadvantages:

• Updates. While operating system updates are usually backward compatible, they may require updates to the apps as well.
• Development time and costs. Different programming languages are required for each platform, significantly increasing development time and costs, both due to the high specialization of the professional developing the app and the need to develop two apps.

Web Apps

Web apps are certainly the most economical solution and while they have limitations, they are often the starting point when thinking about app development. Although they simulate a native app in the graphical interface, they are entirely browser-based, which is why they have limited functionality.

Due to instability and unpredictability in terms of content, being essentially a web page, neither Android nor iOS allow them access to their stores, making them only available via the web with reduced visibility.

But naturally, this type of app also has advantages:

• Reduced costs and timelines. HTML Markup greatly simplifies and accelerates the development process, making these apps quick and affordable to create.
• Fewer constraints. Not being distributed via app stores, they do not have to comply with the sometimes rigid requirements imposed by the platforms.
• Ease of updates. The user will not need to download updates, which will therefore be immediate and easy to release.

Hybrid Apps: One App, Different Target Markets.

Hybrid apps can be used across different systems and platforms. Generally, their creation is quick and therefore less expensive, as they do not require specific versions for each platform. They are essentially web apps based on a predominantly web-based logic, within a native wrapper that allows them to be marketed in stores. Unlike native apps, hybrid apps always require a browser to function. For this reason, the performance of these apps may be slightly inferior to native ones, or in extreme cases even less stable. Today, to speed up development times, toolsets like Ionic can be used: a framework capable of supporting software creation by simplifying developer development processes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Apps

The main advantages of this type of application depend essentially on the fact that apps of this type are generated in a single version.

• Single code valid for each platform. In hybrid apps, the programmer can use a single code for all devices. This has its advantage both in development and management phases.
• Economic advantages. Developing a single version of the app is certainly less expensive than creating a version for each platform.
• Adequate performance. The most modern solutions for developing hybrid apps demonstrate that excellent performance can be offered in terms of hardware acceleration. In terms of performance, therefore, high quality can be guaranteed.
• Ease of updates. If we intend to add functionalities later or make updates, we will not have to work on all the different versions of the app, but it will be sufficient to do it just once.
• Offline operation. As with native apps, they do not need to be downloaded from a server like a web app and, if set during development, they can retain functionalities even when offline.

Regarding the disadvantages of this type of applications, it is necessary to highlight some aspects

• User experience. Being designed to work on multiple platforms, the user experience does not precisely delineate the UX of the operating system. This could initially create some confusion for the user.
• Limited access to functionalities. Hybrid apps do not have access to all resources of the device they are used on, thus limiting some features.
• Design. The graphic appearance is not the same as the specific operating system.
• Lesser fluidity. A hybrid app is generally slower and less fluid compared to a native one.

Flutter and React Native: Semi-Native Apps

These two frameworks offer a third option, positioned between a native app and a hybrid app, gaining advantages from both types of apps. This type is developed only once, just like hybrid apps, but unlike these, it does not require a browser to function. For this reason, the performance of apps developed with Flutter and React Native is very high.

After developing the app in a single version, these technologies can convert the code into the native languages of the different platforms. We can therefore define them as cross-platform like hybrid apps (although with a few more limitations), but also native, as they do not need a browser to function. Semi-native applications can thus provide excellent performance, enjoying the advantages of both types of apps, with particular attention to resource optimization. At Astrorei, we often adopt this type of development, which is an excellent compromise to develop a high-performance app with reduced development times.

How to Choose the Best Solution for Your App Development

The necessary premise is that there is no absolute best solution. As we have seen, each type has its strengths and weaknesses; therefore, the choice must be based on the most efficient solution according to the specific needs of the project, the target market, timelines, and, of course, the available budget.

Often those approaching this service already have a web app; in this case, the solution could be a hybrid app, which allows one to "encase" the web app in a native shell with minimal modifications and minimal development time and costs. Even if it is necessary to slightly differentiate the web app from the mobile app, the solution can be a hybrid app. Starting from a common base (the web app) and diversifying, even using some frameworks like Ionic, which, as much as possible, aligns the user experience to the style of the operating system.

If the app to be developed requires high performance, like in the case of a video game, a native app is the only viable option.

Finally, if you wish to create a high-quality app without extensive time and economic resources, the solution is certainly semi-native apps: using Flutter or React Native allows you to develop a high-performance app with the great advantage of developing it in a single version for all platforms.

In any case, the ultimate goal is to deliver a high-quality product. If you want to develop an application too, the Astrorei team of experts can provide you with consultation to help you identify the best solution for your business.