Companies are becoming more aware that they need to use mobile-friendly apps, in a smartphone-driven world. The number of mobile-only internet viewers is greater than web users. App usage, for this reason, has surpassed desktop viewership. Some companies are opting for mobile app development. Others are choosing custom web app development. But the debate goes on. Which is better – mobile app or web app?
When delving deeper into this, it is essential to study different apps and understand how to make the right choice. Before going into the details, let’s consider some important statistics.
Web App Vs. Mobile App: What Numbers Say
A report by App Annie shows in 2015 alone, the mobile app industry was worth $41.1 billion in total revenue. By 2020, the number is expected to overshoot $189 billion! There’s no indication that the mobile app development industry is losing attraction. With consumers demanding more from apps. Gartner predicts a total income of $77 billion in 2017 from mobile app downloads.
On the other hand, desktop apps are grabbing market share, though not at the same rate as mobile apps. In 2015, for the first time, the time spent on mobile surpassed that of desktops. Google reported more searches were being made on mobile than desktop. Consumer time spent on mobile after that, according to eMarketer. So, when it comes to popularity, mobile apps beat web apps in different ways.
Starting from the core we’ll take a look at how they are actually built. And how their formation differentiates them.
The cost of development of a mobile application is way more than that of a web application. As the mobile applications are platform specific which means it pretty much means starting from scratch in terms of development and design.
The mobile applications are built using specific languages and integrated development environment (IDE) depending on the platform for which application is made. Apple devices run on IOS operating system, so applications for Apple are built either using objective -c or swift and the Xcode IDE. Similarly, mobile applications of java are written in Java and built using Android studio or Eclipse IDE.
Companies like Apple and Google also provide their own development tools, software development kits (SDK) to their developers, to help them build native mobile applications.
Web applications are built using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5. Unlike the development in mobile applications, there is no standard software development kit for building web apps. However, there is no helping hand of pre-designed templates for developers.
It is easier for developers to develop a web application as compared to mobile applications. Being quicker and easier to build, web applications are much simpler when it comes in terms of features.
Differences Between Web Apps and Mobile Apps
Brand Building Opportunities
As a mobile app is a separate entity from the company’s website, it offers unique opportunities for branding. Companies can try out new strategies and brand development styles with mobile apps. These apps also offer a completely different experience for the user, thereby generating value. Web apps, on the other hand, ensure companies remain limited in their reach and brand building.
For custom mobile app solutions users, personalization is another benefit, whereby mobile apps score over web apps. It’s easy to offer tailor-made experiences for the user. Mobile apps, further, can let users set up preferences when the app has been downloaded. It is, then, further customized to suit the needs. Apps can track user engagement and offer customized recommendations, notifications and updates. Mobile apps also permit geo-targeting to aim special deals at certain store locations. Higher personalization means greater chances of conversion.
Leverage Device Capabilities
Mobile apps interface with the device feature and hardware, such as camera, GPS location, etc., when they are native. This is beneficial for retailers looking to enhance the customer experience. Context, hyper-relevance and value addition are priorities which are easier to attain for mobile apps.
However, website apps have their limitations, when it comes to leveraging device capabilities.
No Connection? No problem!
Mobile apps can run without an internet connection. While many apps require internet connectivity to perform tasks, mobile apps can even offer content and functionality to users offline. Furthermore, mobile apps run with their own interface, which provides an immersive experience for users. These are built with a purpose generally. They address the customer’s pain points, making it easier for users to achieve goals.
Moreover, web apps are designed fluidly, so that they can be viewed on smartphones. Web apps may function like downloadable apps, but they cannot operate offline. Web apps are accessed through internet browsers. Web app development, therefore, there’s no need to worry about downloading or installs. Due to their responsive nature, however, they do appear and function like mobile apps. But the fact remains: Web apps need an active internet connection to run.
Web apps are slower and don’t score on efficiency either. Game-changing mobile apps are faster and more efficient, though users need to update these apps regularly. Web apps update themselves.
Mobile apps are costlier to develop than web apps, and because they are platform-centered, launching an app across different platforms pretty much means starting from scratch in terms of design and development. However, they are much quicker and tend to have advanced features and functionality.
Mobile apps are built using specific languages and IDE/Integrated Development environments, based on intended platforms. Web apps, on the other hand, are built using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. So the difference also lies in there being no standard kit for building web apps. Developers can easily access templates, though. Web apps are easier and quicker to craft, but simpler in terms of features.
Now that the differences between Web and Mobile App Development are clear, let’s understand the pros and cons of each.
Safe and secure – mobile applications must first be approved by the native application resource store.
Easier to build because of developer tools, SDKs and interface elements.
Faster than a web application.
Greater functionality as they have access to system requirements.
More expensive as compared to web applications
To build up compatibility, developers have to design and build from scratch.
Maintenance and updating is not pocket-friendly
There is difficulty in getting approval from the app store.
No need to download or install-web applications function in browser online.
Easier to maintain – the reason being they have a common database regardless of mobile platforms.
Web applications update themselves.
Easier and quicker to build as compared to mobile apps.
They do not require app store approval for their launch so they can be made accessible quickly.
They are slower and less advanced in terms of speed and features.
They are hard to discover because as mobile applications, they are not listed in a specific database, such as an app store.
The quality and security that web applications offers are not always guaranteed. The reason being they are not approved by the app store
When the applications come in handy?
It is difficult to say which application is better than the other, until and unless we place ourselves in different specific scenarios. So here are a few conditions where we interact with the digital world.
Gaming/interactivity – for highly interactive games (think PUBG) a mobile app is going to be your only best choice. For simpler games like Tetris or Sudoku, there may be a lesser difference in terms of user experience with a browser-based and mobile application.
Personalization/Regular usage – if you are a user who is going to use your app in a personalized fashion on a regular basis (think social apps or banking apps) then a mobile app provides a great path to do that. Because it is easily accessible in most scenarios.
No internet connection – if you are one of the people who are short on data or do not have a stable internet connection and you need your stuff accessible offline and perform functions without internet connection then a mobile application makes more sense because you can store data and then you can upload it once you have a stable internet connection.
As the number of mobile users is growing worldwide, the question of choosing between web apps and mobile apps. When the question is about deciding whether to build a mobile application or web application, the right choice simply depends on your business objectives. If offering a mobile-friendly content to a wide range of users is your ultimate objective then a mobile website is probably the way to go. However, if you want to engage, interact and communicate with your community, then the mobile app is an excellent choice. There are going to be many situations where you may need to decide which type of application you should choose. It is definitely a strategic and valuable choice but all you need to remember are the points we’ve listed here and it will surely help you make your choice.
