NATIVE APP, WEB APP & HYBRID APP

An App or an application can be one of the following: a computer software package installed on a computer, the app which we use on our mobile, the web service we use through web browser, the game we play on our tablet, etc. There are applications that are developed specifically for web, mobile devices, for smartwatches, etc. Applications are of many ways like how they are built, on which platform they run, whether they are opensource or under proprietorship. A mobile application developer can develop the app as a native app, web app or even as a hybrid app.

Native app

A native application or native app is an application that is coded and developed specifically for one platform. For example, Objective C for IOS or Java for Android operation systems, etc. A native app is actually built for using on a particular device and its OS (Operating System). The native app has the ability to use specific hardware or software on the installed device such as the camera app, address book, etc. Even most video games for mobile devices are considered as native mobile apps. Native apps are downloaded through apple store for IOS devices and play store (google) for android devices. Some native apps are downloaded through the internet too. Native mobile apps have the advantage of being faster and efficient but need to update. Apple native mobile apps are built using either Objective-C or Swift and XCode IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Android native apps are written in Java and built using android studio or eclipse IDE. Native app examples are Google Maps, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, etc.

Web app

A web app utilizes web browsers and web technology to perform tasks over the internet. Web apps are accessed through the internet and they adapt to whichever devices the user is viewing them on. Web apps need an active internet connection in order to run. Web apps are build using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript. They are fast and simple to build but are not as versatile and quick as native apps. Web apps update themselves and not like native apps which is updated regularly.

Hybrid app

Hybrid applications combines both elements of web applications and native applications. Hybrid apps can function whether or not the device is connected to internet. Hybrid apps are mostly integrated with device’s file system and with web-based services. Some of the hybrid apps examples are Microsoft word, banking apps, media apps, etc. Hybrid app are also built like the web app using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Hybrid app is reliant on the web view and not the mobile browser. The choice to build an app (native or hybrid or web) depends on various factors like business needs, application requirements, the skill of the developer and the deadline to build the app. So each type of app offers different experience and its important to know all the advantage and disadvantages of them before starting to develop the app.