We bet few people can imagine their daily lives without mobile apps. Did you know that an average person spends over four hours a day on mobile devices, dedicating 88% of that time to apps? And here's the kicker: that number keeps on rising.
If you want to ride this wave and enter the mobile app development market, you need to understand the main mobile app types and be able to pick the right one for your case. In this post, we’ll guide you through those types, each with its distinct advantages and drawbacks, and provide tips on how to make a foolproof choice.
Let’s explore the main types of mobile apps with examples so that you can figure out which one is best for your future mobile project.
Native apps are tailored specifically for each mobile platform, whether it's iOS or Android. So, when you download a native app from the App Store or Google Play, you get a customized experience optimized exclusively for your device.
Technologies used in native apps: Objective-C, Swift, Java, Kotlin, etc.
Examples of native apps: Duolingo, Uber, Snapchat
Cross-platform apps can adapt and run on multiple operating systems with a single codebase. This means that developers can write the code only once and deploy the app on both iOS and Android, thus streamlining the development process.
Technologies used in cross-platform apps: Flutter, React Native, Xamarin, etc.
Examples of cross-platform apps: Airbnb, eBay, Skype
Web apps run on web browsers and are accessed over the Internet. They offer users a wide range of functionalities, from simple tools to complex services, without the need for installation or downloads.
Technologies used in web apps: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, etc.
Examples of web apps: Trello, Google Docs, Canva
Hybrid apps include elements of native and web applications. While some people use the terms "cross-platform apps" and "hybrid apps" synonymously, it’s not correct as they are different types of apps .
Technologies used in hybrid apps: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flutter, Appy Pie, etc.
Examples of hybrid apps: LinkedIn, Gmail, Evernote
We know the decision can feel overwhelming. Here are key factors to rely on when evaluating different types of applications :
When considering the mobile development approach, it's essential to think about the features your app needs, including the types of application software it may falls into. For complex mobile apps that require advanced features, spotless stability, and security, native development is a good option. On the other hand, if your app is simpler and doesn't need as many special features, cross-platform or hybrid apps are the to-go choice.
Understanding your target audience is crucial when deciding on types of apps . Think about what devices your users prefer. Do they mainly use smartphones? Or maybe they prefer desktop search? Knowing your audience's device preferences helps you determine whether to focus on mobile, web apps or websites, or cater to all tastes by creating a hybrid app.
Imagine your mobile app development process in terms of time and financial considerations. Native apps generally take longer and cost more to develop because they require separate codebases for each platform. If you have a tight deadline or a limited budget, cross-platform, hybrid, and web types of applications can be a good alternative. Opting for one of them is your chance to reach users on multiple platforms without breaking the bank.
It's essential to think about the long-term success of your app, ensuring that it stays up-to-date. If you want your app to grow and be easy to update, cross-platform and hybrid mobile app types come in handy. They are easier in post-release support because they use a single codebase. Native apps can be more challenging to maintain over time because you have to update them separately for each platform.
If you find yourself grappling with the decision of which mobile app type best suits your needs, you can always seek guidance from a trusted app development provider like SolveIt. With proven expertise and industry insights, it will be easier for you to navigate the tough choices.
We don’t plan to scare you right away, but we still should mention some risks that you can face when making a hasty decision for your tech idea .
Developing the wrong types of apps can cost you a lot more than it should. Say, you run a catering business and need a simple app to help users make orders. But instead of opting for cost-effective hybrid or web apps, you build a complex native app.
At this point, you’ll need to pay unnecessary development expenses, hire a separate development team for each platform, and deal with maintenance costs down the line. This irrationality can increase the cost to develop an app by several times. But why spend more money on something that doesn't require that?
Imagine you're all hyped up to launch your awesome new app. But then, you pick the wrong app type for development and it seriously delays your big launch day.
Let’s get back to our catering mobile application example . If you develop a native app, the process can take about 5-6 months, to a rough estimate. In comparison, hybrid app development would take around 3 months. As a result, your business misses out on potential customers and revenue during those extra months of development time.
Meanwhile, competitors who opted for a quicker-to-market solution can already capture the market and gain traction. By the time your native app is ready to launch, the market landscape may shift, making it harder for your app to stand out.
"The choice of the development approach is driven by factors such as target audience, required features, platform-specific capabilities, and budget considerations, which is proven by these examples:
Case 1. A fitness startup approached us with a concept for an exercise tracking app, that would provide personalized feedback and workout plans based on the user's performance. The client was torn between developing a native app or a cross-platform solution.
To address plans for future funding, without inflated timelines and budgets, SolveIt's team offered to build an MVP app on Flutter. It was the best solution as the growth strategy meant it was necessary to test the idea now and preferably on a wide audience, present the product to investors, and not delay time to market – and cross-platform development was the best fit.
Case 2. A startup turned to the SolveIt team with the idea of revolutionizing recording by creating an app that could work in the background, capturing everything happening around the user, and store these audio files on Cloud.
To reduce time and budget constraints, we could offer an alternative development approach since the project needed to work on both iOS and Android. However, our task was to provide full access to the recording devices while minimizing their battery consumption. Only native applications could handle this task effectively. Additionally, given the importance of maintaining complete confidentiality of the recordings, there simply couldn't be any other options.
In both cases, our role as experienced partners allowed us to identify the limitations of the initial technology choices and guide the clients towards more suitable options."
Andrei Savich, CTO at SolveIt
The digital world offers a plethora of mobile application examples , each with its unique purpose and functionality. When considering the right path for custom mobile app development, it's crucial to weigh the options carefully.
If you’re still confused about the direction to take, don't hesitate to reach out to SolveIt. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the process and turn your vision into reality!
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