Hosted Web Apps vs. Native Apps: Which Is Right for Your Business
Today developers offer native and hosted apps to businesses, but which is better? This article will explain the basic points of such options and analyze the native app vs. web app pros and cons.
Web apps and native apps for business
There are several types in the field of applications; the main ones can be considered just progressive web applications and native ones. The hosted web apps combine the functions of a website and a native site. Native are applications that are developed for a specific operating system or software. Most of the applications we use are native. The advantage of such a development is that the site functions consider the operating system’s features for which it is created. And this allows you to ensure a pleasing and trouble-free operation.
The hosted web application is an interactive program accessed through a web browser and performs particular tasks or functions. It means they can be developed and maintained more efficiently than native applications, which require separate development and distribution for each platform.
Compared to native apps, web apps are much easier to use because anyone can access them at any time, and are always up to date. However, finding web apps is not easy because there is no centralized repository of web apps for all mobile devices.
The advantages of native apps
Developers choose a native application more often because of its advantages. They are as follows:
- Performance
Speed is the first thing you should pay attention to. It affects the user experience of the product. If the service constantly slows down, the user experience can be ruined. Because of this, people will uninstall the app and install the competitor’s product.
- Safety
Apple and Google are constantly improving their programming toolkits. Using “native” development tools reduces the number of errors when writing code. It means that there will be fewer vulnerabilities in native applications.
- The ability to use all the functions of a smartphone
If you are thinking of a photo editor in which a person can take a picture of himself with filters applied, the service must have access to the smartphone’s camera. And if you want to make a messenger in which you can send voice messages, the application will need access to the microphone. Integrating GPS, camera, microphone, calendar, and other device features will be much easier in native development. Since such an application meets all the operating system’s requirements, compatibility will be better.
- Stability
We have already mentioned that Apple and Google are regularly working on updating and improving their operating systems. It is reflected in the stability of “native” applications. Operating systems fully support them, so there will be fewer errors and failures. It means that users will be satisfied with a product with virtually no bugs.
- Friendly UX/UI
In terms of convenience, native projects are ahead of others. Since they are implemented taking into account the features of the operating system interface, users do not need to remember new gestures and movements.
Web apps: pros and cons
The benefits of web applications are undeniable. Users do not need to fill the hard drive with heavy software. This moment is especially relevant for owners of mobile devices, for whom lack of memory is a constant headache. It doesn’t matter what hardware platform the consumer uses, what operating system is installed, etc. Their resource requirements are minimal.
Furthermore, web applications open up many more opportunities for business than a regular website. With the help of web applications, you can automate processes, attract new customers, or create a product that will be monetized.