Native app vs Hybrid application

user GDRB Technologies calender January 18, 2023

What is a native app?

A native app is a software application developed specifically for use on a particular platform or device. Native apps are typically built using specific programming languages and tools that are designed to be used on the target platform. They offer users a richer experience than web-based apps, as they can access the device’s features such as its camera, microphone, GPS, and more. Native apps also tend to be faster and more reliable than web-based apps.

Native applications and platforms

Native applications and platforms are becoming a crucial part of the digital world. They provide better user experience, faster loading times and improved performance compared to web-based applications.

Native applications and platforms are designed for specific operating systems and devices, such as iOS or Android phones, tablets, laptops, desktops etc. This allows developers to create apps that are tailored specifically for the device they are running on. This ensures that users get the best possible experience when using their device.

Native applications also use features of the device they run on such as location services or push notifications which can be used to engage with users in a more meaningful way. The potential for native apps is huge and developers should take advantage of this technology in order to create innovative experiences for their users

Examples of native apps

Native application pros and cons

Advantages of native applications include:

Disadvantages of native applications include:

Native application tools

Swift and Java are open source, and they are the main programming languages used by Apple and Google.

Xamarin is a cross-platform software development tool used for native app development on iOS and Android and other platforms that rely on C# as a programming language.

What is a hybrid app?

A hybrid app is an application that combines the best aspects of both native and web apps. It is designed to run on multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Hybrid apps are built using HTML5 and JavaScript, which allows them to be easily deployed across different platforms without having to rewrite code for each platform. They also have access to device features such as the camera and GPS, making them more powerful than web apps. Hybrid apps are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to provide a rich user experience while still being cost-effective for developers.

Examples of hybrid apps

While the first hybrid apps were pretty slow, advances in web technology and frameworks have shrunk the gap between hybrid and native performance. Examples of high performing hybrid apps include:

4 Advantages of hybrid apps

Cross-platform compatibility: Hybrid app frameworks allow developers to use a common codebase across both Android and iOS devices.

Shorter development time:Increased code reuse cuts development time that would be needed to build native apps for different operating systems.

Scalability:A single codebase and cloud-native web technology makes it easier for developers to build scalability into their apps.

Cost effective:Save development costs on building multiple versions of the same app for different operating systems.

3 Disadvantages of hybrid apps

Performance:While hybrid apps now have work-arounds (such as compiling to machine code via React Native) there technically exists a layer between the operating system and the source code that might bottleneck performance for resource-intensive applications.

Test complexity:Hybrid apps may share a lot of code between platforms, but some of that code is often native in practice to take advantage of the underlying hardware. Depending on your project, this can add to the complexity of your test suite.

Easier to mess up the UI/UX:Whether hybrid or native, it’s on the developers to ensure their app UI delivers a consistent UX. Hybrid app development offers a lot of flexibility, and if you don’t know what you are doing it’s easier to mess up. Poor internet connectivity might lead to an inconsistent UX if you don’t practice progressive web design. You’ll still want to write native code to comply with interaction guidelines on iOS and Android or to access platform-specific APIs.

Native vs. hybrid apps

With the pruliferation of mobile devices, it is important to understand the differences between native and hybrid apps. Native apps are developed specifically for a particular platform or operating system, while hybrid apps are developed using web technology such as HTML5 and JavaScript.

Native apps offer better performance and user experience than hybrid apps, but they require more development time and resources. Hybrid apps are easier to develop and maintain, but they may not provide the same level of performance as native applications.

In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of both native and hybrid applications so that you can make an informed decision when choosing which type of app to build for your business needs.

What’s the Difference?

Native apps and hybrid apps are two different types of mobile applications that can be used for different purposes. Native apps are developed for specific operating systems, such as iOS or Android, while hybrid apps are developed using web technology and can be used on multiple platforms. Each type of app has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to understand the differences between them before deciding which one to use. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between native and hybrid apps so that you can make an informed decision.

Both Native and Hybrid apps have their own positive and limiting factors, so let’s break down each.

Here’s a bit of a cheat sheet on both Native and Hybrid apps, so you get a side-by-side comparison:

Whichever you choose, always go with whichever option will best serve the end user. Don’t try to cut corners on pricing or sacrifice usability. It doesn’t matter if the idea behind the app is great if people don’t love using it. You should always keep the end users’ needs and preferences top-of-mind. Balance that with the end-goal of the app and you’ll be well on your way to building a successful piece of tech for your business.

If you’re thinking about creating an app for your company, we’re ready to walk you through the process! Talk to us about our free consultation where we can answer your preliminary questions, and help you understand the process.