Choosing the right technology or platform for mobile apps holds an intrinsic value in the success of your business. Finding the perfect technology fit for your modeled requirements is the only Mobile App Development strategy you can follow. Moving into Mobile App Development with a variety of misconceptions will trouble you in the long run, especially with the users. So, understanding the difference between hybrid and native apps should be the priority target for your business. Quickly take an insight into Hybrid App vs Native App.
What decides the type of mobile development?
- How early is the mobile app required?
- Which part of the app to develop in-house?
- What are the app goals or targets?
- Which features to offer?
- What is the app budget?
Now, let’s take a deep insight into this complete discussion over Hybrid App vs Native App.
Exploring the difference between hybrid and native apps one by one.
What are Native applications?
Native applications or Native apps are programmed into a specific language and compatible to work on a specific platform or device. For instance, developers code Android native apps using Java, while they code iOS native apps using Swift or Objective-C.
What are Hybrid applications?
Hybrid application or Hybrid apps is the combination of web app and native app. The installation part for a Hybrid application stays similar to a Native application. Moreover, they can be downloaded from the platform’s app store just like native apps. In all, Hybrid apps get access to all the native platform features. Generally, Hybrid applications are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Hybrid App vs Native App – Strengths
NATIVE APP
- Simple and user-friendly UI
- High discoverability in App Stores & Marketplace
- Independent of open source library and platforms
- Performs well for HD games and animation apps
- Interactive, intuitive, and secure apps
- Access to complete OS features
HYBRID APP
- Same code across various platforms
- Accesses hardware & software via Plug-ins
- Cheaper development cost
- Faster reach into markets
- No requirement of web browsers
- Access to the device’s internal API and hardware
Hybrid App vs Native App – Drawbacks
NATIVE APP
- Single, separate code for each platform
- Development and maintenance efforts for each platform
- Increased development time and cost
- Use of complex programming languages
HYBRID APP
- Not apt for 3D, HD games, high graphics-oriented apps
- Dependent on libraries and frameworks (Cordova and Ionic)
- High complexity and reduced performance
- Development cost increases with customizations
Hybrid App vs Native App – Creating Differences
When app performance is your top priority – Native application wins
Generally, Native applications offer high-end performance to the users because of their reliable design implementation. In native mobile apps, users can seamlessly navigate to desired content, structure, and various other visual elements. On a single click, the app elements are available for instant loading which consequently aids in a faster and better experience for app users.
In contrast, a Hybrid application consists of a wrapper that gets saved to the user’s smartphone (wrapper may or may not include all the navigational elements) while most of the data is instantly loaded from the server. Subsequently, this leads to a low-performance app. Most of the users are requesting the server at the same time that causes load imbalance at the designated servers.
User experience is success key for mobile development – Native applications win
One of the significant trade-offs or differences between native and hybrid apps is user appearance. In fact, the most effective part of mobile development is a seamless app experience to mobile users and this is where a company emphasizes during any Mobile App Development. A website or app with poor UI and UX will frustrate the visitor hence leading to a loss in potential customers for the business. Almost every user believes mobile apps to deliver an ultimate and seamless navigational experience.
However, users take a little time to learn their devices but they don’t have to absorb much specific to the different apps. They highly expect that all the apps installed on their phone will operate perfectly from a navigational and interactive point of view. So, hybrid app development or native app development should ensure that all the controls, interactions, visual cues, and gestures should be included in the app. In simple words, all the app elements should be seamlessly integrated with the mobile platform.
What’s the right development path for your business – Rejoice with Native Apps
When you should consider hybrid app development for your enterprise? If you’re having less time for mobile app development, and you want to test a limited private market on the viability of your app, then opt for Hybrid applications. When the test goes successful, then switch to native as soon as you can and present it to the users. But if the hybrid app doesn’t work, then you’ve saved yourself time and money.
Additionally, if there occurs any kind of distractions in the future, fixing and tweaking a hybrid application consumes more time and becomes hectic for the mobile developers. Though a hybrid app offers lower upfront costs, they stay riskier and thus end up costing you more money.
Moreover, the hybrid application developers are more likely to charge you as they possess specific skills for building a mobile app. On the other hand, the cost of hiring Native App developers is comparatively less and involves reduced development complexity.
In the final analysis…
Every technological approach has some pros and cons. Deciding which type of app should be opted totally depends on the organizational demands. This comprehensive guide brings you a clear discussion of the Native App vs Hybrid App. However, we will recommend you seek clear guidance from some Mobile App development companies that will help you in shaping and formulating your app idea in the best possible way. Moreover, they will help in choosing the most feasible and affordable technology for the mobile development of your business.
Hope you have a cumulative idea of the difference between hybrid and native apps. Now, decide what’s best for your business requirement, Hybrid application, or Native application?
Discuss more over Hybrid App vs Native App with our iByte team!
