Native App vs Web App - Which Should You Choose?

Creating a web application that meets a specific business goal is an undertaking that requires making a number of important decisions at the very beginning. This includes the choice of technology and the programming language in which it will be implemented. You can opt for a web application, which will be available in a browser, or for a native application, created for a specific operating system.

What is a native app?

A native app is nothing more than an app that has been developed to run on a specific mobile device or operating system. Apps of this type are usually downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and then regularly updated. The most common include banking applications, airline applications, various types of communicators, and social media platforms.

How does a web app work?

The alternative is web-based applications that run in a browser and therefore do not require the user to install anything on their device. To use a web app, all you need is internet access and a domain address. This is undoubtedly a very convenient solution for users, as it gives them access to specific functionalities regardless of what device they are currently using and what operating system it runs on.

Web apps vs native apps from the business perspective

When considering the best kind of application to develop, the first step is to clearly define the business objectives. Key factors to analyze include:

Functionality - Native apps have the ability to take advantage of certain features of the devices they are installed on such as camera and accelerometer. If their use is justified, consider building a native application. If the functionality mostly just requires working on a large enough screen, a web application will be a more sensible choice.

Efficiency - Native applications run slightly faster and often more smoothly due to being written for particular systems. However, the differences are relatively minor.

Security - The level of security depends primarily on the quality of the code and its accessibility.

Cost - Web applications clearly prevail, as they use a single set of code to effectively reach users on different devices, different operating systems and different browsers.

Time - Web applications also stand to win, as developing, maintaining and updating code only for the web app is much simpler and faster than managing code developed for several operating systems.