Hybrid vs. Native Apps: Which is the Best Mobile Application Platform in 2017?

To sustain with the progression in mobility and computing, businesses are investing enormously in app development to acquire and engage their customers. As much as being a business decision, it is also a Technology decision when picking between a native and a hybrid app.

Native apps are the applications that are developed with platform specific language and SDKs. The development of these apps requires developers with a specific skillset for each platform.

Hybrid apps, on the other hand, are developed in common language and are then compiled in platform-specific custom software Application development.

Since it uses the same technologies, a hybrid app can make use of some or all of a website’s code, and can sometimes be developed faster by incorporating the website’s code. In addition to this, since the same technologies are used on all the platforms, the same code can be used for all the mobile platforms. This leads to decreased development costs and time spent for building the application.

Pros of Hybrid apps

One of the biggest benefits of designing a hybrid app is that you get a dependable, cross platform user interface that is in sync with the maximum number of devices. The development of hybrid applications is way less than that of native apps.

1. Fast development process

Hybrids applications do not dictate the presence of too many developers to build an application. This is a good thing if speed is a vital factor in your overall app development program.

2. Apt for apps with small release cycles

If you wish to incorporate the changes in your application on a regular basis, then hybrid app development is a great alternative. Updates can be put on the page which the user loads from the server. This way, the users will be able to find it easy to navigate through the application.

3. Optimum for BYOD Programs

Hybrid applications are ideal for the BYOD programs. They work across various devices and platforms, which frees’ you from the tension that not all of your target audience will be able to use the application just because it is not compatible with their devices or operating systems.

4. Reduced development cost

Building a hybrid application is any day cheaper than a native application. This is for the reason that you don’t have to undergo the problem of getting different applications developed for different platforms. Instead, you’d have an application that is ready for both the platforms.

Cons of Hybrid apps

1. Not so impressive UX

This is one of the biggest flaws of these applications. Hybrid applications fail to present a native like a feel, and if the users don’t get the perfect first experience, then their possibility of trying the application again fails completely.

2. Reduced efficiency

In comparison to the native apps, hybrid apps are usually slow. It is for the same reason that the users are not able to have momentous transitions.

3. Presence of lags as well as UX issues

As hybrid applications cannot present a seamless user experience, it can create serious performance issues with high-performing games and applications. The users when start facing lags often tend to leave the application.

Native Applications:

Native applications are anything you would normally think of any mobile app. They are named native for the reason of being developed for a specific platform i.e. Android, iOS or Windows. Unlike the web applications, that are primarily written in JavaScript, native applications are written in languages that are accepted by the various platforms. However, the primary advantage of these applications is that they enhance the user experience. Being designed and developed especially for a platform, they look and perform better.

Pros of Native Apps

1. Complete Device Integration

Native applications allow you to take full advantage of the functionalities that are accessible by the mobile phones. This offers experiences that allow the users to enjoy more and more features, that couldn’t be accessed in a hybrid application.

2. Superior UX

iOS and Android applications present a fantastic experience to the users by adhering to the precise UI standards that are followed by the applications created for such platforms. Owing to this reason, the navigation becomes easy and the users are able to follow the systems in a hassle-free way. These applications, thus, facilitate smooth as well as descriptive transitions, offering seamless experiences to the users.

3. Do not necessitate Internet Connectivity

Though this depends on the functionality offered by the application, native applications do not always need internet connectivity. This is a good feature, as the users are able to use the application even when they don’t have access to Wi-Fi. A hybrid application, on the other hand, can never be accessed without internet connectivity.

4. Superlative Performance

Since these applications are developed for a single operating system, they offer better performance than hybrid applications. Lest you yearn to create a high-performance app, it is wise to opt in for a native app.

Cons of Native apps

1. Need of more Developers

Building a native application calls for a lot of effort and time. In addition, you need the services of more and more developers for this task. It is imperative to ensure that they have the required skills for developing the apps.

2. High Development Costs

Native applications are undeniably pricier than hybrid apps. They are quite intricate and require multiple codes to be developed which leads to higher expenses as compared to hybrid applications that need a single code base.

The Verdict

Both Native and Hybrid applications have their set of pros and cons, and this is why the final verdict depends on you to how to choose which of them fits you better. In order to take the right decision, it is important to understand the difference between these alternatives.

Native applications are usually an ideal choice for the development of a mobile application, owing to its high-end security, higher performance and the best in class UX. However, in case you are opting for a Hybrid application, it will ensure that your mobile application is prepared for the cross-platform and can be designed in a short period and within a limited budget.

Once you decide on the type of application your business needs, you can then start with the Build vs. Buy dilemma.