Native/Hybrid/PWA – which is the best for your product?

When it came to mobile apps, native Android and iOS code was formerly the only way with developing. This has the drawback of requiring distinct codebases, resulting in high expenditures. However, mobile application development has evolved rapidly in the last years, and now there’re several technologies you can select from. Native apps, hybrid apps, and PWA apps each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks, so don’t worry. At the end of this article, you’ll choose the best option for your mobile application.

Native mobile apps

Native application development is the conventional method of creating apps designed to run only a single platform and are written in a specific programming language. Since each platform must be built independently, they’re the forerunners of alternatives that are mentioned below. Android uses Kotlin or Java, and iOS uses Objective-C or Swift.

Because of their enormous communities, these programs are quite well for their efficiency, reliability, solid support, and simplicity of development. When it comes to technological capabilities, it’s at the forefront. Because of the streamlined code, the performance is much faster, and native functionality may be utilized in the mobile app. You don’t need to be concerned about compatibility because it occurs organically. As a consequence, consumers receive a mobile app that’s totally UX/UI compatible. Yet, it entails additional effort and expenditures. The reason for this is you will require a larger team of technical specialists and one version of an application will not operate on other platforms.

Is it worth the money and extra time to develop a native application?

When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of native mobile app development, the answer is contingent on the requirements of a digital product. If great performance is a key goal and money isn’t a problem, it’s worth it. Native applications are also those that are pre-installed on a mobile device. Some mobile games and business apps are also designed natively. Because they are tailored to certain systems, these apps can seamlessly integrate with ecosystem services.

When to consider developing a native mobile app?

• One platform application,
• Software that necessitates seamless integration,
• Programs with a lot of animations,
• Time and money aren’t an issue.

Hybrid mobile apps

The word hybrid comes from the fact that this solution mixes native and online solutions. You may create them with web technologies like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, and by employing plugins, you can give them complete access to the capability of mobile devices.

To present JavaScript and HTML files on a mobile full-screen, hybrid applications combine the native browser rendering process with a web controller. Many mobile systems utilize WebKit as their rendering engine. The development cost is low since standard web technology is employed, which eliminates the need to customize a solution for each platform. In layman’s words, this means you’ll be able to quickly design a fully prepared solution that works among all platforms.

Hybrid applications, on the other hand, are not a perfect answer because they have their own set of limitations. Their major issue is that they are only web pages. As a result, they load slower than mobile apps and typically need a network connection to function.

When to consider a hybrid mobile app?

• Digital product with a wide user base on several platforms,
• App with minimal complicated parts,
• Good for MVPs.

PWA mobile apps

The so-called PWA (Progressive Web Application) is an intriguing concept. PWAs are pieces of software that can be used as a website as well as a web application. It allows you to quickly construct app-like web pages. They have a similar appearance to smartphone apps, however, they are not interchangeable. PWAs function similarly to websites with the bonus of feeling like a native app.

PWAs have been called a “future of online applications” since it’s a new norm that improves the app’s efficiency and speed in every circumstance. The biggest benefit of PWA applications is that they don’t have to be published to the Google Play and App Store, and that makes distributing them to clients a little easier. They should be possible to be installed from the browser and don’t need the approval of the app store process. It operates on the web, but users may add it to the home screen of the mobile device. When developers publish a PWA app online, it’s important to ensure it passes the “PWA checklist”.

PWAs offer the advantage of decreasing the cost of launching digital products. You can witness the widespread availability of such applications straight away. The development of PWAs is dictated by UX, and you won’t need to hire a specialized professional. It’s not a problem to utilize them on a variety of platforms, and they’re less time-consuming than native solutions.

When to consider PWA mobile apps?

• You need a level of security comparable to online apps,
• E-commerce as well as porting to mobile,
• An app that works on several platforms and has native functionality.

Native/Hybrid/PWA – the best approach

Regardless of the choice, you select, each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Consider your budget, timelines, digital product specifications, and target audience. All of the details are crucial. However, it all comes down to the selection of an IT partner. When you need to select the best approach, it’s best to discuss your mobile app idea with an experienced full-stack digital agency. With their expertise, you may develop a great digital product.