Web App or Native App: Which One Is Better to Have?

Human interaction with computers has taken many forms since their rise in use in the 1960s. Today, “packaged” programs called applications, or apps, are the primary mode in desktop and mobile systems. Apps are usually classified into several types, but the most frequently used ones are native apps and web apps.

Web app development rose in prominence as web apps provided some solutions that native apps can’t bring to the table, especially for enterprise use. However, native apps still have their inherent advantages, which create an endless debate on whether web or native apps are better when it comes to performance.

The bigger question, especially for businesses, is which one do they truly need. The answer lies in several factors such as: What is the app supposed to be? Who are its primary users? Lastly, how is it going to be used? Once you have these questions answered, you can select whether your business or brand needs a web app or a native app.

What is the app supposed to be?

Before you start looking for native app builders or web application development services, you should analyze your app’s objectives. Some apps will work better from a native framework, especially if mobile devices are the recommended device type. Others will perform better as a web app, such as productivity and enterprise apps.

If you are building a new app, it will be best to conduct thorough research and brainstorming first,but for those with existing apps, you might want to reconsider if it will be worth moving from your app’s current form or how it can serve your clients better with the change.

Who are its primary users?

An important point to consider is the users: is the app a front to serve base consumers or is it an internal app made for company use?

If the app is meant to serve customers more and be used to automate certain areas of your business, it might serve better as a native app or a progressive web app. E-commerce apps are a great example of this use case. For internal use such as productivity or monitoring, web apps can offer more reliable solutions. In such cases, the app can be modified and upgraded more easily. You will not need to go through the OS vendor’s store (e.g. iOS App Store or Google Play Store) for distribution and end-users will not need to re-download the APK.

Another point to consider is secondary users, especially for enterprise use. Some companies with outsourced IT support services or offshore agents will find purely web-based apps faster and more secure.

How is it going to be used?

Design and development for web applications and native apps run very differently; native apps have their environment and UI, while web apps are usually “packaged” to run in a browser. Even the process for making them is different.

If your app needs to create a consistent user experience for a large consumer base, native apps will serve you better. If you are trying to save on development costs while increasing discoverability through search engines, taking the web app path is better.

Conclusion

Web apps and native apps have their own inherent strengths which could be used to one’s advantage. You only need to know which one will work best for you. It may take a developer with considerable knowledge to build an app that works perfectly for your needs. You can also opt to get reliable experts such as Frontline, a Singapore-based web application development company. With decades of experience in web and native mobile apps, as well as other fields, we are the perfect app development partner you will find today. Reach out to us and see how you can build your best web or native app at https://www.frontline.com.sg/contact/.