Web vs. Native vs. Hybrid Apps: Breaking Down the Basics

Mobile apps differ in terms of possibilities, content, and type. The market’s most famous types are native, web, and hybrid.

Comparing these apps does not necessarily mean one type of mobile app is better.

The cost of developing a mobile app and turnaround time are among the most important factors when choosing an app.

What to test?

The technical parameters of web apps are different from those of native or hybrid apps. We will first look at web apps, then native apps, and finally, hybrid apps.

Web Apps

• UI testing: Test the User Interface (UI) elements on mobile devices with different screen sizes and resolutions.
• Data consumption: Web apps use more data by getting it from a server. It is, therefore, essential to examine their data consumption closely.
• Connection problems: Sometimes, an app encounters problems when switching from the mobile network to Wi-Fi or vice versa.
• Battery use: Web apps use JavaScript, which in most cases reduces battery life faster.

Native and Hybrid Apps

There are many differences between native and hybrid apps, but there are also many similarities in terms of domain functionality. This means that native and hybrid apps can be tested similarly.

Functional

• Test the app’s built-in assets such as camera, location, etc.
• The use of the battery and memory should be tested
• Test the app while receiving Phone calls, push notifications, and messages.
• Test installing and removing the app.
• Usage gestures must be viewed.
• Test the screen orientation.

Compatibility

Test the app on different devices.

Connection

• Test with different connections.
• When switching to another connection, it must be checked whether everything is going well.
• Test the app offline.

Test the Performance

Web Apps

Web apps are hosted by a browser such as Safari, Mozilla, or Chrome. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a web app is the same as a web browser. Web apps are designed to summarize the purpose.

The larger perspective is supported by the web browser. These apps use the web view option. In most cases, this is done by incorporating a browser into an app.

The costs of developing a web app are generally low. The programming languages used are CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript. Pro web apps such as progressive web apps can simulate the limited functionality of native web apps.

Benefits

• Easy to develop and maintain.
• Significantly lower costs.
• An app for all platforms.

Cons

• A browser is required for a web app.
• Slower speed than native apps.
• Web apps are less interactive and intuitive than native apps.
• No icon is available on the mobile screen.
• Can’t use for example Bluetooth, contacts, camera, etc.

Native Apps

Native apps are mobile applications developed for specific platforms with their own operating system, such as iOS and Android.

These apps are stored in virtual online app stores such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, etc., and are used worldwide.

Programming languages in use are Swift and Objective-C for iOS and Java for Android. In addition, the options of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software ensure fast and intelligent app development.

Mobile apps developed with IDE are replicated in the programming language specific to the platform, which increases costs.

Benefits

• Fast in execution and quick to respond to the user.
• Best performance.
• Distributed on a large scale in the app store of your choice.
• More intuitive and interactive.
• Performance optimization is achieved because native features are all-inclusive.
• Continuous use of the internet is not necessary (depending on the function).
• Better user experience.

Cons

• Difficult and advanced programming language requiring the use of specialized developers.
• Relatively more expensive.
• A bit too far-fetched for very simple mobile apps.

Hybrid Apps

Hybrid apps integrate both native and web apps. The programming languages used are CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5.

These apps often work with web views just like web apps but have extra options and functionalities that can be found with native apps.

The background to develop these apps lies with custom apps where standardization is reduced. The app is fragmented into two parts.

Back-end code developed in the above programming languages and the native case that identifies with native apps. The costs to develop a hybrid app are lower than that of a native app.

Benefits

• Developed with web technology programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This makes these apps relatively easier to build.
• Relatively less expensive than native applications.
• A single application provides multiple platforms.
• A browser is not necessary as with web apps.
• The app has access to built-in functions of a device such as a camera, etc.
• hybrid apps are faster to develop than native apps as they use an individual – single code base.

Cons

• Slower than native apps.
• These apps are very expensive compared to standard web applications that are sourced from a third party platform.
• Less interaction compared to native apps.
• Customization does not fit well together with a hybrid model so that the preference is ultimately for a native app.

What Should You Choose?

Depending on what the app will be used for, you can make the best choice. On the basis of the pros and cons, you can draw up a checklist to see which type of app best suits the purpose of your app.

The cost of app development can come into play, but this isn’t the only factor to consider.

Conclusion

Native apps perform better than other apps. This may be your ultimate choice. Your environment and future goals should determine which app is best suited.

Native apps are the most recommended, however. If a native app does not suit you best, choose a web or hybrid app.

You’ve probably come across other articles comparing hybrid apps vs. native apps, native apps vs. web apps, web apps vs. hybrid apps, and so on.

In this article, we’ll analyze all three types of mobile apps carefully. We’ll also consider the technical parameters for the app development platforms and their pros and cons.

Author Bio

Ankit Kharola is a Digital Marketing Manager at Cliffex, one of the Top Web application development companies. The company provides flutter app development services. His visionary leadership and flamboyant management style have yielded fruitful results for the company. He believes in sharing his strong knowledge base with a leaned concentration on entrepreneurship and business.