Native App Vs Web App Vs Hybrid App

What is a Mobile App?

Mobile App is a software application, specifically designed to run on small screen devices like mobile phones or tablets.

What are different types of Mobile Apps:-

When it comes to Mobile App Development, there are basically 3 kinds of App to choose from:-

Native Apps
Web Apps
Hybrid Apps

Native Apps: Native Apps as the name suggests, these kinds of Apps are exclusively developed for a Single Mobile Operating System, that’s why they are called Native. For Eg: Apps developed for Android device can’t be used on Windows, iOS or any other device.

What are the main advantages of Native Apps:-

They are really fast ( Well it all depends on the device hardware, how fast it is )
They have access to wide range of API, with no limitation. For eg: A Native App can access Mobile’s dialer to make calls, Mobile’s Calender to schedule appointments, Mobile Cameras to take pictures.. etc.
They don’t require Internet Connection to run the app.
Once they are approved and listed on their Respective App store, they can get huge marketing benefits such as increasing number of downloads, in-app advertisements to monetize your app.

What are the Cons of Native App :

High Development Cost: Native apps are more expensive to develop. They’re more complex and require multiple code bases that need to be maintained by developers.
Time: It Requires more time to develop a Native App
Usage: The Same App can’t be used on multiple platforms.

WebApps: These are Similar to native apps but they use mobile’s web browser to run and are usually written in HTML5, JavaScript or CSS. These apps redirect a user to URL and offer “install” option by simply creating a bookmark to their page.
Therefore, a user can access a web app from any device, irrespective of their platform.

What are the advantages of Web Apps:-

Low Development Cost
Can be used on Multiple Platforms
Require less device memory
Require less effort to develop a web app.
They don’t need an app store for a launch

What are the Cons of Web Apps:-

Can’t be used in offline mode.. i.e strictly Internet-dependent
Can’t use all device’s API, Only some of device APIs may be used (such as geolocation)

Hybrid Apps :

As the name suggests, they are the combination of both Native and Web Apps. Hybrid Apps are mainly website applications disguised in a native wrapper.

What are the advantages of Hybrid Apps:-

They can be used on Multiple Platform
Low development Cost, in Comparison with Native App.
Widely used APIs, like gyroscope, accelerometer, geolocation are available for use.
Can be launched on App stores and can enjoy respective App store’s benefits.

What are the Cons of Hybrid Apps: