Exploring Technologies for Mobile App Development

With the rising number of smartphones and their users, mobile applications have become vital for any business looking to improve its online presence. Yet, when developing a mobile app, businesses must make a crucial decision: should they opt for a native app or a hybrid technology solution? Each approach offers its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Thus, businesses must conduct a thorough comparison before diving into development.

Let’s examine the two fundamental technology types of mobile apps and their distinct benefits and limitations so you can make an informed decision for your next project.

Why Do Businesses Invest In Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development is a relevant and in-demand trend for various reasons:

1. Rising Mobile Device Usage

Mobile apps are now essential for daily tasks and needs, and more people are using smartphones and tablets.

2. Enhanced Customer Interaction

Apps provide businesses with a direct way to engage customers. This helps improve service and fosters loyalty through personal experiences.

3. Technological Advancements

Innovations like AI, AR/VR, IoT, and blockchain offer opportunities for creating more engaging and valuable user experiences.

4. Digital Transformation

To stay competitive, businesses embrace digital transformation, with mobile apps playing a pivotal role in improving operations and customer relationships.

5. Expanding Market

The global mobile app industry is increasing, offering businesses new opportunities for revenue and market presence.

Let’s delve into what native and hybrid apps actually entail.

Native Applications vs. Hybrid: A Comparison

Native mobile apps are the most common and costly type to develop because they are separate for each operating system (iOS, Android, or others). When we talk about mobile apps, we usually refer to native technology ones. Pokémon Go, Spotify, and many others are prime examples of native apps.

Native apps are tailored for a particular platform, targeting either Android or iOS users. Thus, if you want to reach both audiences, you’ll need two separate apps. This means one for the Google Play Store and another for the Apple App Store. Since each platform has its standards, developers use different programming languages to meet them.

Advantages of Native Applications

• Superior Performance

Native apps run smoothly, even handling heavy graphic processing and complex computations.

• Access to Platform-Specific Features

These apps can tap into built-in device capabilities and unique platform attributes.

• Native User Interface

Apps deliver a seamless user experience by adhering to platform standards.

The Drawbacks of Native Apps

• Need for Two Development Teams

Build native Android apps using Java or Kotlin, while iOS apps use Objective-C or Swift. Consequently, you’ll require separate teams with experience in each of these languages.

• High Development Costs

Native apps are best for large corporations with substantial budgets. Since each app must be built from scratch, it demands significant resources, including time, for its ultimate economic success.

Hybrid Applications

Among many companies, the choice often falls on developing a hybrid application. This can be explained by the fact that hybrid apps are capable of combining the advantages of native apps with the technological relevance provided by the latest web technologies. However, unlike native apps, the cost of developing hybrids is significantly lower, and their speed is higher.

Nowadays, multiplatform technologies like React Native allow for significant time savings. They also enable the development of an app that meets most customers’ needs while simultaneously supporting two operating systems.

Advantages of Hybrid Applications

Hybrid applications are a professional solution for emerging startups and bootstrappers. Multiplatform mobile development offers high development speed and allows for the creation of ideal business solutions. Among the main tools for their development are Flutter, Ionic, React Native, Visual Studio, and others.

Hybrid applications are developed for multiple platforms simultaneously. Furthermore, they have the same functionality regardless of the platform. This is the most crucial difference between native and hybrid applications. However, they also have other significant advantages.

• Rapid Market Deployment

Hybrid applications are developed faster because they utilize standard web technologies. Furthermore, they are easily maintainable long term.

• Access to Device Capabilities

By using hybrid applications, you can also leverage the native capabilities of target devices.

• Distribution Across Multiple Platforms

These applications are distributed through both app stores, allowing you to reach a more extensive user base.

The Drawbacks of Hybrid Applications

• Performance

Their performance is lower than native options since it depends on the quality of processes displaying UI and executing code. Therefore, the faster the device uses the application, the higher its performance.

• Integration of Third-Party Services

You cannot develop a hybrid application using JavaScript alone. You’ll need to integrate hybrid development frameworks like Cordova, Ionic, or React Native. However, each of these requires certain efforts to master.

Conclusion

When creating a mobile application for your business (or beyond), you have two options — native or hybrid development technology. In both cases, you’ll encounter undeniable advantages and significant drawbacks.

Ultimately, the final decision should be driven by the unique requirements of your project, the availability of financial resources, the characteristics of your target audience, and preferences regarding development timelines.