For over ten years now, smartphone apps have become the cutting edge of creativity. Most businesses are seeking opportunities to integrate smartphone apps into their workflow. They need to tap into the smartphone revolution to stimulate their consumer outreach.

Deciding on the form of app to create is a popular problem facing most enterprises when joining the mobile-first environment. The solution to whether to build a native app or a hybrid app will depend on the goals of the company.

• The key factors that will affect this decision are:
• What the app is trying to achieve.
• The user experience to be offered by the app.
• The features to be included in the app.
• The speed and performance of the app.
• The budget allocated for the development of the app.
• The time required to develop the app.
• Whether to opt for in-house development or not.

A Straight Comparison of Hybrid Vs Native App Development

Native Apps

An application generated for a particular mobile operating system is a native app. It is designed in such a manner that it meets the OS standards for technological and user experience. It is therefore quicker and more stable.

Complex integrations of device-specific hardware and applications will also be available with a native app. It is easy to implement and it has a high degree of accuracy. It also requires the native user interface panels and templates to be viewed.

Characteristics of a Native Application

• Native apps are very reliable.
• Native applications are simple and have improved user interface and results.
• Native apps can function whether the device has an internet connection or not.
• For a given OS, native software functionality should be used in the right way.
• Native apps can connect with the file system of the user and use operating system features.

Advantages of Native Applications

• As they exploit the hardware and functionality of the main mobile unit, they deliver a large variety of functionalities.
• They offer software output fast and responsive.
• They come with push notification functionality.
• Native apps offer a UI that better matches the user experiences of the OS.
• The quality of the native apps can be assured through the ratings in the App Stores.

Disadvantages of Native Applications

• Because each computer will have its version of the programme, native applications require several code bases.
• It is costlier to create, as it will take more developers to build and manage the code base for each platform.
• In a each feature update, a lot of time is spent on the growth of various platforms.

Hybrids Apps

A hybrid framework is a website that is bundled into a native shell. It looks and sounds like a native app, but it is powered by a company's website beyond the specific frame of the application. So, a hybrid app is a mobile app bundled in a native shell, created using HTML5 and JavaScript.

The development is faster, cheaper, and less time intensive. It can be simultaneously released and entirely available across all channels. Without needing to manually upgrade the app, a hybrid app enables the introduction of new versions. Even, it can help manage programme glitches.

Characteristics of a Hybrid Application

• Hybrid apps require integration with web-based services.
• For improved access to dynamic website content, hybrid apps have an integrated browser.
• Hybrid applications can be developed at a quicker rate and require lower costs of production and maintenance.
• Hybrid apps are simple and can be managed with less effort.
• Hybrid apps have a cross-platform UI.
• For all devices, hybrid applications have a common code base, making handling them simpler

Advantages of Hybrid Applications.

• They can run through different devices, since they have a common code base, they can function on both Android & iOS. The clear user interface also helps them to run on most of the smartphones.
• Development and maintenance of hybrid systems, including upgrades, is quicker. This is because only one codebase needs to be built by the developers.
• Because of the hybrid apps' single code base, they are cost-effective. They need less time and labour in order to expand.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Applications

• Hybrid applications have a framework like those of online applications. So, to operate to their maximum capacity, they require an uninterrupted network link.
• To access the embedded functionality of mobile devices, hybrid mobile applications have to focus on plugins. This is because of the style of their architecture.
• Hybrid software development does not address a number of technical problems that are important for the development of native applications.

How to Decide On Native App Vs Hybrid App?

Now, since you have fully learned the advantage and disadvantage of both architectures, this figure 1 is a flow map that will help you make the right choice:

If aware of your app's specifications and follow this flowchart with the advantages and disadvantages of both architectures in mind, hope this will helps to determine match.

References

• Native vs Hybrid app: How to Make the Right Choice. OS-System. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://os-system.com/blog/native-vs-hybrid-app-how-to-make-the-right-choice/.
• Native App vs Hybrid App Development: What To Pick?. Valuecoders - Hire Dedicated Software Development Team. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.valuecoders.com/blog/technology-and-apps/native-app-vs-hybrid-app/.