Web App, Native App, or Hybrid App: Which to Use and Why

Mobile application developers now have various choices to create new apps to cover the requirements of the projects of the enterprises and ensure them mobilization of business. The three most well known mobile apps used are:
1.Web mobile app – The internet enabled applications which are installed in mobile devices for fulfilling a specific function is called a web app. These apps are accessed through the web browser of the mobile device and hence do not have to be downloaded for installation on the device.
2.Native mobile app – A mobile application that is run in the operating system or machine language, i.e., in the computer environment, is known as a native app. This app is locally installed in a mobile device after being purchased from an online application store. Native apps work in only some mobile devices like the tablet or the smartphone.
3.Hybrid mobile app – As the name suggests, this application is composed using elements from both the web as well as the native mobile apps. When a mobile application is written with the technology used for web apps and is hosted inside a native app used in mobile devices, it is known as a hybrid mobile app.

Let us take a detailed look at the comparative table of web apps, native apps, and hybrid apps to decide the best application for mobile devices.
Web Apps:
Pros:
1.Has one codebase that is accessible by any mobile device with a browser
2.Makes use of web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS which are easier to learn than native languages
3.No approval process is needed before an update to the app

Cons:
1.Since these apps use an interpreted code and web technologies, they run slower than native apps
2.You do not access to all methods of the OS of a mobile device while using web apps. You may be deprived of features such as file uploading, video capturing, or push notifications
3.Cannot be easily located in online app stores

Native Apps:
Pros:
1.Provides extra storage of data offline
2.Provides complete access to the OS features and hardware of the mobile device you are using
3.Is featured and easily available in online app stores

Cons:
1.Very expensive to create as new apps have to be built for each platform
2.Since one codebase can be used for only one OS platform, creating native apps for many mobile devices is time consuming
3.The app must always be approved by an online store before releasing in the market

Hybrid Apps:
Pros:
1.Allows use of a single codebase while marketing the app in all major app stores
2.Purchase of the app is managed by app stores
3.APIs in these apps help in access of features that are locked out of the web browser

Cons:
1.Instant updating of the app is not available
2.Performance of the app is directly dependent on the capabilities of the mobile device’s web browser
3.A certain percentage of revenue generated by the app has to be shared with the app store

An Informed Approach
The decision as to which mobile app to use totally rests on you. It must be based on the technological capabilities of the mobile device you are using, the business objectives of the enterprise and the work for which you are using the application. For instance, if you have to build a game using graphics, the native app is most suitable for you.

The Dallas mobile app development company, Copper Mobile holds expertise in Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows app development . With clients like Cisco, Cienna, and Verizon, the company aims at coming up with innovative mobility consulting services for various industry verticals.