In this blog post, we are going to have a talk on Hybrid vs. Native apps. By reading this post, you will get a clear understanding of which one is better for you.
Hybrid Apps
Hybrid apps contain cross-platform properties and as a result, they can run over several platforms. With this, developers can develop one app, which is compatible with iOS, as well as Android platforms.
Frameworks for Hybrid App Development
Here are the three common and well-known frameworks for developing hybrid applications:
Ionic
With this framework, you can develop mobile applications with some technologies. It includes CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. This framework has a simple user interface and can be learned easily.
Though it has a simple UI, maintaining it is quite challenging.
It is a cross-platform and open-source framework developed by Facebook. React Native has a simple user interface and provides less development time and high performance.
Xamarin
Xamarin is also an open-source framework maintained by Microsoft. It is best for developing simple applications and is the preferred option for business applications-driven projects.
Pros and Cons of Hybrid App Development
Pros
Easy Maintenance
Upgrading hybrid applications is easy as it has only a single base code. Moreover, the users don’t have to download the updated version for solving a bug.
Compatibility
Hybrid apps are compatible with Android, as well as iOS applications using the same base code. It means that there is no need of developing separate codes for both platforms.
Cost-effective
For both iOS and Android platforms, one single base program is needed, which in turn reduces the development cost. As compared to other native mobile apps, hybrid apps are cheaper.
Time-Saving
Developing hybrid apps saves your time to a great extent. It’s because hybrid apps run on the same base code on all the platforms.
Cons
Internet Connection
In some cases, they are websites basically wrapped in native applications. Thus, it is necessary that while developing hybrid apps, you should connect to a stable internet connection.
Role of Native App Developer
The role of native app developers is necessary to resolve some of the functionality problems in hybrid applications. It’s because it might lead to extra costs.
Inadequate User Interface
The user interface in hybrid applications is not powerful as compared to native applications. Moreover, numerous functions are compromised as the UI needs to support iOS and Android platforms.
Native Apps
Native applications are developed in such a way that it needs to work with certain OSs. If you’re coding for Android, then it won’t work with iOS and vice-versa. These mobile applications use specific guidelines to improve the user experience.
If you’re developing native apps, then you need to develop separate applications for each platform. Thus, more cost and time are required for the development.
Though developing these apps is time-consuming and expensive, it offers an enhanced user experience.
Frameworks for Native App Development
Native app development requires diverse frameworks in Android and iOS platforms.
Android
- Java – It is useful for mobile apps, as well as web and desktop versions. Java gives the developers access to the library with diverse Android OS features.
- Kotlin – This framework is mainly for working with Java for Android. It is an alternative to the Java compiler in Android Studio. Additionally, it lessens the time needed for programming in mobile app development.
iOS
- Objective-C – It is a programming language with numerous libraries. Objective-C supports several other programming languages as well.
- Swift – It is a new language by Apple and is used as a replacement for Objective C. As compared to Objective-C, Swift has enhanced performance.
Pros and Cons of Native App Development
Pros
High Performance
It has high-performance metrics when the coding for application is for a specific OS. This is because of the enhanced optimization of storage and memory attained via code. Moreover, maintaining and updating native mobile applications is easy.
Personalization
With native mobile applications, adjusting the layouts is easily possible. Thus, you can have a better design with an amazing user experience in your native apps.
Improved User Experience
It makes use of the offline mode capabilities. Native applications focusing on one platform boost the app’s efficiency. All these things result in improved user experience.
Functionality
With this application development, you can access the upgraded features when they launch it. Thus, the developers can integrate them easily within the application.
Enhanced Security
Native apps can make use of the hardware capabilities. Thus, it provides enhanced data security to the users.
Cons
Time Consuming
Native app development requires more time as compared to hybrid apps. It’s because native apps need to be developed for both platforms separately. In fact, developing one native app requires more time compared to hybrid apps.
Price
The price for developing native apps has increased because of the complications in the native mobile app development process. The increase in complications increased the need for experienced & skilled resources and developers. This, in turn, results in making the complete development process expensive.
Features of Hybrid and Native Applications
1. Cost
Native apps require high development costs as compared to hybrid applications.
2. Channel
Hybrid applications are hosted on the web and native apps are hosted in the operating system.
3. UI
Native applications offer user-friendly UI but hybrid apps provide restricted UI.
Performance
Native apps offer enhanced performance metrics as compared to hybrid applications.
4. Usage
Native apps are useful for single-platform applications with better optimizations. Hybrid applications are developed in such a way that it needs to run on several platforms.
5. Maintenance
Maintaining hybrid apps is easy but maintaining native apps is quite challenging.
6. H/W Utilization
Hybrid apps can leverage only a few features but native apps can use maximum power.
Hybrid Apps vs Native Apps: Which One is Good for You
When you’re making a decision on which one to choose- Hybrid apps or Native apps, always go for the best that fits your requirements.
As we have explained about both applications, we believe that now you’re clear with which is best for you.
If you’re searching for an app development company to develop an app for your business, then contact us. Perfomatix is one of the leading mobile app development companies offering services for diverse sectors across the globe.
