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As the level of technology advances, the usage and functionality of mobile devices increases considerably. Nowadays, people expect more from the applications that they use in their smartphones and tablets. Gone are the days when web based applications are sufficient enough for mobile users and people now want their applications to have full access on the features and capability of their gadgets. For this reason, web based apps are now considered obsolete for mobile devices. The limitations of this type of applications have now become a hindrance to its success, and that is why most developers are now solely focused on creating either native or hybrid applications for their clients. Unfortunately, even though there are only 2 types of applications left to choose from, some developers are still fighting among each other on whether which of the two is considered the best type of application to produce. To better understand the debate on which of the two types of application is better than the other, we must first identify what native and hybrid applications are.

What are native apps?

Native apps are mobile applications that are created for a specific type of platform from a certain type of programming language, like Java for Android, Objective C for iOS and .NET framework for Windows based devices.

This type of applications delivers better performance, higher reliability and faster speed than any other apps, due to its unique customization and specification to a particular platform used in a mobile device. Moreover, native apps are capable of accessing the different hardware and software features available in a device, such as its list of contacts, camera, GPS, speakers, lights and others. Furthermore, some of these native apps can even function without internet connections.

What are hybrid apps?

Hybrid apps are practically a crossbreed between native and web based applications. The majority of this type of application is built using CSS3, JavaScript and HTML5. However, this type of applications are capable of using the different features that are available on multiple platforms, because they use a device “wrapper” to integrate themselves on various devices that runs on Windows, iOS, Android and other platforms. This process is made possible through the use of different wrapping technology that includes PhoneGap, Xamarin and Visual Studio. Hybrid apps are much cheaper to develop, faster to produce and can run on multiple platforms. Plus, it can produce a consistent look across multiple devices, which allow uniformity of processes and functions.

To an unexperienced client, our explanation of how the two types of application works, hybrid apps would definitely be their initial choice. But before you decide on choosing what type of application to use for your mobile app development project, there are things that you should know about hybrid apps before you finalize your decision to use it in creating your mobile applications.

7 Things You Should Know Before Developing a Hybrid Mobile Application

Hybrid apps are not recommended for applications that are designed to provide the best possible user’s experience. Given that hybrid apps are created using CSS3, JavaScript and HTML5, developers will certainly encounter difficulties in trying to create a user’s interface that is consistent with the particular behavior of a platform. And because of this, developers usually end up compromising the quality of the application’s interface that causes the level of satisfaction of user’s interaction experience towards the application to decline. In addition, there are certain designs and functions that can only be implemented on native app development that limits the ability of hybrid apps to produce the best interface possible for an application.

Hybrid apps are not used for rich media and interactive applications

Even though, hybrid apps can be used to create rich media and interactive applications, like 3D animation and games, it is not recommended due to its high latency and poor performance on mobile devices. That is why most games and visual apps are created using native app development, because this kind of apps requires the use of augmented reality, 3D rendering and multimedia functions that only native apps can deliver.

Hybrid apps are not built for speed

Hybrid apps are basically based on web technology, which is still dependent on the browser capabilities of a device. Because of this, hybrid applications tend to load and work slower than a native app, making it inappropriate to use in application projects that requires fast loading time and speedy performance.

Hybrids apps have certain restrictions

Besides not being recommended to be used in applications that require rich media and interactive features, there are other limitations that prevent the use of hybrid app development in various applications projects. These restrictions include the following:

• Search engine crawlers are not able to search for hybrid apps (you will need to create a separate landing page for search engine optimization purposes)
• Limited access to the functions and features of a device
• Most hybrid apps functionality are dependent on internet connections
• Hybrid apps cannot fully utilize in-app purchasing features

Hybrid apps are prone to glitches

Most Hybrid apps are prone to glitches because they render content similar to what a website do. Loading various elements of a hybrid app can cause glitches and errors in the application that can result to user dissatisfaction and eventually a decrease in the number of its users.

Hybrid apps require continuous updates

Hybrid apps are able to integrate to different platforms through the use of various wrapping technologies. However, these wrapping technologies can only work on specific versions of a platform. Thus, whenever a new version of a particular platform that is not supported by the wrapping technology is applied, the application needs to be revised and updated, in order to work properly on the new version of the platform.

Hybrid apps do not care much about specific platform users

Given that hybrid apps use wrapping technology to integrate with multiple platforms, the resulting application usually ignores certain user’s device-specific preference that causes loyal platform users to feel ignored and unwanted. This scenario opens up opportunities for rival applications that use native app development in creating their applications, to grab the interest of your users and drive them away from your application.

Conclusion

Deciding on which type of application development method to use for your project is not that simple. It requires a detailed and professional analyst of your application’s function, features and objectives, in order to correctly choose the best suited application development method to use to further increase the chances of success of your application. Can’t decide on which type of application to use for your mobile project? We can help. Company123 is dedicated in helping clients create their dream applications successfully. We take pride in making sure that we deliver the right type of application that will suit your personal and business needs and requirements. Our friendly business analysts and developers are more than willing to sit down with you and talk about your plans for your mobile application projects. So, if you still can’t decide on which type of application will better fit your development plans, we encourage you to send us a message or contact us through our website, so that we can help you turn your project into a successful reality.