Maximize Your Mobile Game: Navigating Native vs Hybrid App Platforms - Which One to Choose?

February 10, 2023

PouyaSadri

Unlock the full potential of your next Mobile app development project with a deep dive into the benefits and drawbacks of both Hybrid and Native app platforms. Stay ahead of the game and gain invaluable insights.

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Mobile app development

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The mobile revolution

Step into the future of Mobile app development with a glimpse into the visionary mind of Steve Jobs. In 1983, he unveiled his forward-thinking idea at a conference in Aspen, anticipating a digital marketplace where software could be easily obtained through telephone lines. Little did he know, this concept would lay the foundation for the thriving App Store. Fast forward to 2007 with the launch of the iPhone and the introduction of the App Store, offering a vast array of over 500 apps, including even the ability to create your own virtual lightsaber. Get ready to chart the course for your next app development project.

The game-changing iPhone and its revolutionary App Store not only dominated the market, but set a new standard for mobile technology. In response, leading tech companies such as Google, Amazon, and others, launched their own versions of app stores, fueling the growth of the mobile app industry. The rise of smartphones has also given rise to a new breed of app developers, equipped with the tools and opportunities to unleash their creativity and bring innovative ideas to life. As you embark on your Mobile app development journey, there are numerous factors to weigh and consider.

A crucial decision in the Mobile app development process is determining whether to build a Native app or a Hybrid app. This choice can greatly impact the outcome and success of your project, so it's essential to understand the key differences between the two.

Native vs Hybrid: 5 Key questions

Before settling on a Native or Hybrid approach for your Mobile app development, take a moment to consider the following important questions:

1. Who is the driving force behind the development of the app - a client, yourself, or an employer?
2. What is the allocated budget for the project?
3. What is the timeline for launching the app?
4. Who is the intended audience for the app?
5. What are the must-have features that need to be incorporated into the app?

Answers to these questions will help guide your decision and ensure that you choose the best approach for your project's specific requirements and goals.

The answers to these questions will inform your choice between a Native or Hybrid approach. If you find yourself uncertain, refer to your IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) training for further guidance. It's important to keep in mind that there's no one-size-fits-all solution; the best approach is the one that aligns with your specific objectives.

What exactly is a Native app?

Native apps are tailored to operate seamlessly on a particular platform or device. Typically, developers focus on creating apps for two major mobile platforms.

• iOS: Developed by Apple, the iOS operating system is supported by coding languages such as Objective-C or Swift.
• Android: Google's platform utilizes Java as the preferred language for native app development on the Android operating system.

Additionally, Native apps offer the benefits of utilizing a familiar User Interface (UI) specific to the target platform, which leads to a more intuitive user experience. The app can seamlessly integrate with the controls and layouts that users are already familiar with.

With Native apps, you can expect a higher level of reliability and speed, as the app has full access to the hardware and platform capabilities. As a developer, you have a clearer understanding of the available tools and resources at your disposal when creating a Native app.

Examples of native apps

WhatsApp : The communication app has a different version for iOS, and Android.

• Spotify : This music app can stream music over the internet. It can also download songs to the specific
  device being used.
• Pokemon Go : The popular game uses GPS, and camera features. A native app provides the best
  user experience in this case.
• Waze : By tapping into the device’s GPS, this native navigation app makes sure you don’t
  lose your way.

Many well-known brands utilize native applications, and for some, it is the functionality offered by these apps that is crucial. Before making a decision, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Some of the benefits of developing native apps have been mentioned, but let's clarify them further for better understanding.

Unleash the power of stability and reliability with native apps. Harness the full potential of platform-specific features and enjoy the smoothest, quickest mobile app performance around. Elevate your user experience with seamless UI integration and the option for offline functionality, depending on the app's purpose. Show off your graphics-heavy functionality with ease, and keep security risks at bay. Get noticed with boosted digital customer engagement and raving app ratings from push notifications.

But wait, is native app development always the best choice? Think again. In the real world, limited time and resources may affect your decision, so it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons. Before you take the leap, consider the potential drawbacks of native apps.

To reach users on various platforms, you have to create separate versions of your app for iOS and Android. This means a prolonged development timeline and the need for a team with a wider range of skills, potentially leading to a larger team size. A longer development process and a bigger team come with a higher price tag, making native app development a resource-intensive endeavor.

What is a hybrid app?

A hybrid app is a combination of a native application and a web application. Unlike web apps, which are accessed through web browsers, hybrid apps are installed directly on a device and function similarly to web apps. An example of a hybrid app would be a business communication tool designed for a team that uses a mix of devices and platforms. When developing a hybrid app, keep in mind that an internet connection is necessary for full functionality, although the app can still work offline to a certain extent. Hybrid apps are built using coding languages like JavaScript, CSS, or HTML and use APIs to access the mobile device's features, allowing developers to quickly launch their apps on both major platforms.

Examples of hybrid apps

Evernote : the hybrid nature of this app allows users to sync their notes across devices.

Amazon Shopping : you can keep your shopping cart across platforms.
Instagram – HTML5 powers the social media app.

Twitter : Another top social media brand using a hybrid app.

Hybrid apps have proven to be a beneficial solution for several well-known brands, with the ability to seamlessly operate across platforms being a key factor.

It's worth exploring the benefits of hybrid apps to understand why they have become so popular. In 2020, a staggering 74% of the top 50 retail apps on the US App Store were hybrid apps. Let's dive into the advantages of hybrid apps.

One of the biggest benefits of hybrid apps is the ability to use a single programming code language, making it easier to run the app on different platforms and devices. This single codebase simplifies updates and maintenance, making development a smoother process without having to build the app from scratch for each platform.

Additionally, hybrid apps can be deployed much faster compared to native apps, which reduces the drain on resources. By leveraging dynamic web content, hybrid apps also provide opportunities for mobile affiliate marketing. This results in faster development and reduced resource consumption, making hybrid apps a popular choice among developers and businesses.

Hybrid app drawbacks

It's important to also consider the drawbacks of hybrid apps. Hybrid apps rely on plugins and APIs to function properly, which can present security risks. The user experience may also be impacted as hybrid apps are unable to integrate with the platform's UI. Additionally, a constant internet connection is required for full functionality, as hybrid apps share similarities with web apps.

Another disadvantage of hybrid apps is the difficulty in making inclusive design choices that cater to users with different abilities. This is due to the limited ability to fully utilize the hardware. These limitations and risks should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to go with a hybrid app or a native app.

How to choose

What is the purpose of the app? Do you require the app to work offline? Does it need to interact with platform-specific features? If the answer is yes to either of these, then you might need to opt for native app development.

What is the timeline for the app’s development? Do you need the app to be deployed quickly? Then hybrid app development might be the best option for you.

What is the target audience for the app? How tech-savvy are they? If your audience is tech-savvy, and you require an app that provides a seamless user experience, then you should opt for native app development.

In conclusion, the choice between hybrid, and native app development ultimately comes down to your individual needs, priorities, and budget. Consider the key questions, and weigh the pros and cons of each approach, to decide what works best for you.

Answering these questions will help you determine whether a hybrid app is best, or if a native app is the way to go. A native app may be the better choice if your app requires complex functionality, such as augmented reality, or offline access. A native app can access the device's hardware and software resources, allowing for a more seamless user experience. On the other hand, if you need to get your app to market quickly, with a limited budget, and the app doesn't require extensive use of hardware, a hybrid app may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between native and hybrid app development will depend on your specific needs, constraints, and goals.

Ultimately, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose the solution that is best suited to your project requirements, target audience, budget, and timeline. If you're not sure, you can always seek advice from experienced developers, or consult with a software development company to help you make an informed decision. It’s important to choose the right solution from the beginning, to ensure a successful outcome and happy users.

In conclusion, when choosing between native and hybrid apps, consider the app's goals, target audience, development budget, timeline, and the required features and hardware functionality. Native apps tend to provide a better user experience, stability, and security, but require a longer development time and a higher budget. On the other hand, hybrid apps are easier to develop and can be deployed faster, but may not offer the same level of performance and hardware integration as native apps. Ultimately, the choice between native and hybrid apps depends on your specific needs and priorities.

it's important to weigh the pros and cons of both native and hybrid app development to determine which option best suits the needs and goals of your app project. It's also crucial to keep the end-user experience in mind and ensure that the app provides a seamless, functional, and enjoyable experience for the target audience. The right choice will ultimately depend on a variety of factors, including the development budget, target audience, desired features and functionality, and more.

Hire a skilled freelancer, mobile app developer, Android developer, or iOS developer to bring your mobile app vision to life with seamless hybrid or native app development services.