It’s been nearly a decade since mobile applications surfaced over the technology world and their growth has been phenomenal. The access to the internet through mobile devices has surpassed all other means by a healthy margin. With an ever-increasing dependence on mobile applications, it becomes critical for mobile app developers to keep providing an amazing user experience. In a quest to do so, he needs to first choose the correct app development approach. Here’s where the developer takes a call between a Native app and a Hybrid app.

The choice between a Native app and a Hybrid app is one of the hottest topic of debates across the world these days. A majority of tech gurus pointed out the need of switching to hybrid apps foreseeing it as the future of mobile app development.

Let’s first understand the basic difference between a Native app and a Hybrid app

A Native app is developed purely around a particular OS. The UX and technical guidelines of that particular OS are followed religiously during the entire development process. Standard native development tools and kits like Android Studio, Eclipse, Objective C, Swift, Visual Studio etc. are used to develop a native app. The look and feel of all the native apps are similar as they are developed using the same guidelines.

A Hybrid app is essentially an app developed on the footprints of a company’s website. A single Hybrid app can be released across multiple operating systems and thus they are easier to develop. The developer’s need to manage only one version of the source code against multiple versions when developing a Native app. Web technologies like HTML, CSS, and Javascript are used while developing a Hybrid app.

There’s no thumb rule or written verdict that one should only develop a Hybrid app. However, there are a lot of reasons which suggest that Hybrid apps are better than Native apps.

1. No More App Store Limitations

Ask, any Native app developer and he will testify that releasing a Native app is a troublesome and time-consuming process. The entire code needs to be packed and sent to the store for approval which can take anywhere between a couple of days to a week as well. Adding more to the trouble, sometimes there’s a need to update the app multiple times in a day, which is not possible with app store limitations. It’s a very irritating scenario for the developers. Here’s where the Hybrid app comes to your rescue.

2. Smooth & Standard User Experience

Providing a standard user experience across all platforms is a must for any business. Lack of consistency in the look and feel across different devices and platforms hampers the brand image. A Hybrid app allows you to provide a smooth and consistent UX across all platforms. Moreover, a single update is enough to renew the app on all platforms.

3. Cost Effective

A Hybrid app will instantly become your favorite when you will realize how cost effective it is. A Native app requires a lot of engagement from the developer’s end, thereby increasing the time devoted by the developer. More time means more money spent. However, a Hybrid app utilizes a different set of libraries which are then linked with tools which drastically reduces the development time, which means less money spent.

4. Single Code, Multiple Uses

Most of the Native apps have an Android version and an iOS version which are developed using platform specific languages like Objective-C or Swift for iOS and Java in case of Android. On the other hand, a Hybrid app allows you to develop an app using the same language. Simply write the code once and deploy it across all your mobile platforms. Similarly, mobile app testing is also simplified because you don’t need to write unique test scripts for each app type. The entire QA process is benefited as it reduces the amount of QA infrastructure requirement.

5. Extensive Reach

The reach of any business is not always collective or gathered. It’s always scattered around. Since a Hybrid app can be downloaded from any store, it has a better reach to the scattered audience of the business. Hybrid apps have an upper hand over the native apps when it comes to reaching out to the audience quickly and effectively.

Looking at the recent advancements in technology and future projections, one can bet that Hybrid apps will pin down Native apps very quickly. The sublime benefits of a Hybrid app make the development process much easier and efficient. Having said that, Native still holds good for a few specific apps like gaming apps, intensive graphics apps, immersive 3D experience apps, etc. But taking a call on a holistic level, our bet is on Hybrid apps. Talk to our Mobile app development experts and know more on how you can get an exceptional mobile app of your own.

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