Once you start the process of having a wonderful mobile app developed for your business, you may immediately be faced with a big question; should your mobile app developers use native app development or hybrid app development?
If you’re new to mobile app development, these phrases may seem alien to you. What are they, what makes them different and what exactly are the specific pros and cons of each one?
You’ll want your app to offer your users a fantastic user experience and for it to have a great level of performance. And one type of development may be better for your specific app than the other.
What Are Native And Hybrid App Development Methods?
So, what exactly do these terms mean? The answer isn’t as complicated as it might initially seem:
Native App Development. Native app development simply refers to when an app is developed for one specific platform. Namely, for Android devices or iOS devices. These apps will be written in the main code used for either Android or iOS and then will be used on those devices.
Hybrid App Development. Conversely, hybrid app development refers to when an app is developed for the two separate platforms but uses one base code. The resulting app will then be masked or wrapped within a native app using cross-platform frameworks. This will make the hybrid app appear like a native app when used on an Android or iOS device.
What Are The Main Pros And Cons Between Native And Hybrid App Development Methods?
So, what’s the difference between the two? Both mobile app development methods have pros and cons that you definitely should know about before choosing one.
Native App Development Pros And Cons
Developing a native app has the following pros:
- Fantastic User Experience. Developing an app specifically for the platform that it’s being used on means that the UX and UI of the app will be perfectly suited for the device it’s being accessed from. You’ll be able to use an app that was designed with your device in mind, so you don’t need to worry about awkward screens or strange design glitches. If awesome user experience is your absolute top priority, a native app may be for you.
- Excellent Performance. Native apps tend to have excellent performance capabilities. They’re usually faster than hybrid apps.
- More Accessible. Native apps are more accessible than hybrid apps because the developer doesn’t need to worry about what features are on one platform but not on the other. Instead, the developer can focus on creating a fantastic app with excellent qualities.
- Better Security. Because native apps have more accessibility than hybrid apps, their security tends to be better, and your user’s data should be safer with the higher level of quality.
However, a few cons to note are:
- Longer Development Time. Despite their pros, native apps generally take much longer to develop. Your new app will need a lot more work and effort put into it to make it perfect.
- Higher Costs. Native app development also typically costs much more than hybrid app development.
Hybrid App Development Pros And Cons
Developing a hybrid app has the following pros:
- Lower Costs. Compared to native apps, hybrid apps are usually much cheaper to produce – hybrid apps are, on average, around 30% cheaper to develop than native apps. They’re the more cost-effective option of the two.
- Faster Development. Along with being cheaper, hybrid apps can also be developed faster. This means that they can also be put on the market more quickly, and they can reach your audience more quickly. This may be the solution for you if you want to catch the public’s attention fast.
- Easy Cross-Platform Usage. Of course, hybrid apps are designed to be used on both Android and iOS, so it’ll be easier to provide your app to both groups of people. Choosing just Android or just iOS to have your app developed for can be an extremely hard decision, but you don’t need to make that decision if your app is a hybrid app.
But, it has the following cons:
- Lower Quality. Because they are not meant for the specific device you’re using it on, hybrid apps are usually of lesser quality than native apps.
- Slower Loading Speeds. A hybrid app’s code needs to be filtered in a way for it to appear like a native app rather than being ready to use as a native app. This can result in slower performance.
How Do I Know Which Development Type To Choose For My Business’s App?
Determining which type of app is ideal for your situation can be very tricky, and it’s best to consult a professional when deciding – are you trying to choose? Come and speak to KWD Apps.
Choose our mobile app development service to get the app development process started. [Internal Link – ‘Services/Mobile App Development’] We’ll discuss your goals, ideas and wants to come up with the best path for your app!
Are you ready to start? Call us at 0800 199 507 or visit our website to get in touch with us today.
Have the perfect mobile app developed for your business by KWD Apps!