Native vs Hybrid Apps
Nature of interface design used for app development is also one of the most debated topics amongst the tech-savvy individuals. It is commonly discussed as a significant feature in the app development. The question that developers usually ask is that what type of the app should be created so as to generate productivity, meet the target audiences’ needs and rank as topmost in the search results?
What is a Native App?
Native apps are developed using the native programming languages such as, Objective-C and Swift for iOS and Java for Android. Native apps are easily downloadable on Android device or an iPhone via Google Play store or iTunes app store. The basic feature of a native app is that it is not be used across different platform which means that if the app is created for iOS, it cannot be downloaded and run on the Android devices and vice versa.
What is a Hybrid App?
Hybrid apps are developed using modern technologies like HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. Hybrid apps provide value-added options to the users such as letting them store the login details, access GPS data and set notification alerts through the HTML5 interface. It might get a bit difficult sometimes when Apple app store doesn’t let developers publish the app on the store due to having basic features only. It however, lets you publish it as a webpage.
Native vs. Hybrid: Interface Design
The interface of both types of app differs in term of design. The hybrid apps as compared to the native ones have modified interface of HTML5 and CSS3. These interfaces have advanced properties that are not available in the native interface. However, hybrid interfaces has limited functions and tools unlike the native interface which provides widgets and advanced design tools to users for a better native interaction.
Native vs. Hybrid: Performance and User Experience
The hybrid apps tends to delay the user interaction while native apps have shown exceptional performance with a quick responsive interaction with the user. Native apps lets the user get more fluid experience while the hybrid apps are not as responsive to the user. Clicking, scrolling and image viewing may not be as responsive and seamless on the hybrid apps as on the native apps. Moreover, the hybrid apps does not display the default features of IPhone. Thus in terms of improved user experience and performance native apps are certainly better than the hybrid apps.
Native vs. Hybrid: Cost-effectiveness
The cost of developing hybrid apps is less than that of native apps since many app developers offer a library of tools and technique in less time span. However, adding a native touch to the app to give it a native feel might escalate the cost. Unlike the hybrid technology where an app can be designed and published on all platforms, the native apps are a bit different. The latter requires, different apps to be created for getting it published on to the different language platforms which may not be as cost-effective. Many developers perform native coding in a hybrid environment so that the cost does not get exceedingly high.
To summarise, native and hybrid environment are both good and those responsible for managing app development projects need to weigh the pros and cons of the different platforms against their requirements and resources to enable them to make a decision on the best app development technology.