Hybrid App vs Native App Development | Difference | which is Better for 2020

Graphical User Interface or what is often known as GUI was first developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) back in the ’70s. This started a series of developments which were done for enhancing the first model. In 2019, when the technology revolution is at its peak and we are seeing several products or services in the market which require a certain form of interaction between the customer and the system. Smartphones of this age do so much more than we have ever seen and the development has ensured a certain section of people gravitate towards using their smartphones instead of a laptop or personal computer for getting most of their work done. Most importantly, your smartphones are entirely about the apps.

Hybrid App vs Native App Development

Mobile App development company makes software for your smartphone which requires a certain user interface that can enhance the experience of the user and keep them attached to that particular app. It has been seen that the interest and demand of the particular app are related to good or bad it’s UI is. For example, if two rival companies are making two different travel apps, then the company which is able to make a better platform for its users with minimizing the effort required of getting a particular task done will eventually succeed in the long run.

Mobiles apps which we use daily can be classified into two major sub-categories: Hybrid and Native. Depending on the idea and considering the limitations, a developer should decide whether he is going to develop a Hybrid app or Native app. Let’s us dug deep and understand what are the key differences between the two.

What is a Native app?

Native apps are the applications that are specifically designed, programmed and built for one solitary platform. Each platform has its own set of on-programming languages. The two most profoundly used operating systems for mobiles are Android and iOS. Java or Kotlin is for Android app development company which is owned by Google, while Swift or Objective-C is extensively used for iPhones manufactured by Apple Co. which houses iOS.

In simple words, once you develop a native app, it can be only one platform. A native app for iOS won’t function on an Android device as it meets the requirements of the only iOS and not the latter. As a developer, if you aim to design a native app for both the platforms, then you will have to make two separate programs on two different programming languages.

This actually will take more time to completely launch the app. But there is obviously a silver lining to this. As the native apps are specifically designed for a particular platform, it ensures that the app can fully access all the functionalities of the device. This enhances the performance and the speed of the app and lets the person use it smoothly. If the native apps are properly programmed, it could work almost without any error.

Advantages of Native apps

Native apps will always be a tad faster than the hybrid apps. The very fact that these native apps are specifically designed for a single platform makes using them quite smoothly. The world of graphic technology has gone through a massive transition in the past few years and this has provided the users with some visual breathtaking experiences. For intensive animation based programs, HD games or graphical application an approach of making a native app is always a better idea. In addition to this, native apps are also able to use the features of the device they run on with the usage of the Software Development Tools or SDK.

Some advantages are listed below:

1. These apps work with better speed and are often very responsive
2. It provides the user with a smoother performance
3. These apps tend to make the interaction between the user and the system much smoother.
4. Some of these don’t require an internet connection to function properly.

Disadvantages of Native apps

Yes, the advantages are many but let’s look at the bigger picture here. The development costs for a native app is probably it’s the biggest demerit. The time and money which a developer has to spend on a native are higher than that of a hybrid app. Additionally, the developer has to be well versed with two different programming languages to make an app which will support on two different platforms. The investment on a native app is not always worth for simple apps.

What is a Hybrid app?

Hybrid apps are based on a web view, which can run on a web application inside a native app. In a hybrid app, a native app is used as a wrapper which establishes proper communication between the web view and native device platform.

If you put it into perspective, a hybrid app can be called a native app as both can be downloaded from the app store provided by the platform on the device. Hybrid apps are programmed because of the tools which can link the web view of the application with the native platform. These tools allow communication and help the app to function properly.

Unlike the native apps which are programmed using Java or Swift, hybrid apps are designed and built using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The main reason why these apps are called hybrid is that they house two different parts. The first one is the back-end code which is developed using languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The other part can simply be called the native shell. This part makes the hybrid app downloadable on different platforms across devices.

Advantages of Hybrid apps

Advantages of a hybrid app are many if you have to create a program in less time. Building a

1. The cost of developing a hybrid app is lesser than that of a native app. You don’t need a separate programmer for the two sets of apps which required to be developed in order to function on both the platforms.
2. The access of the app will be allowed on all the platforms which are available in the market.
3. Hybrid apps can provide the user with access to the system’s Application Programming Interface or API. It can use the camera or storage of your system providing you with several features.

Disadvantages of Hybrid apps

On the other side of the coin, you might realize that a Hybrid app has a few disadvantages as well. If you compare the performance of a hybrid app and a native app, it wouldn’t take you long to realize that the latter works much faster. Basically, a native app has the ability to use the hardware on the device much more efficiently. Considering this, one would also realize that a hybrid app is less interactive than a native app. It has been seen that a native app can give a better experience to the users. The UI found on the hybrid app might be really good but it will be always at par with a native app. In addition to al, a hybrid app is dependent mainly on the third-party wrapper.

Another disadvantage of using a hybrid app is that it mostly requires a stable internet connection to be fully functional. The web-part the app will be refreshed from time to time allowing the user to access only a couple of features without the internet. While developing the hybrid app, a developer is limited in certain aspects. As we mentioned earlier, a native app has a host of tools that helps the functioning of it while a hybrid app is always restricted to the ecosystem of solutions that is available to all users. Hybrid apps do get the benefits of the third-party plugins but that’s not something which can overtake the advantages of a native app. Lastly, native apps also are more compatible with other apps that are present on the system while that’s isn’t just the case with a hybrid app.

Final take on which is better

Now let’s try to settle the debate of "Native vs Hybrid app" considering the development process. The differences in both the apps are many, but it all boils down to the requirements and the vision of the developer. Native app development company aims to make the app for a specific operating system while the Hybrid app development company aims to make one app for all the platforms available. But making an app for multiple platforms can be a tedious job for the developer. If the developer chooses to design a native app then the money, time and effort required to completely launch the app are much more than that of a hybrid. So, it is the choice of the programmer whose approach does he take while creating the app.

Since developing a native app for multiple platforms can be time-consuming, it should be noted that the programmer has to be well-versed with at least two programming languages. As previously discussed, Java and Swift are used for making native apps on Android and iOS respectively. On the contrary, Hybrid apps need web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This also means that the developer for a hybrid app doesn’t require the same time for launching it on several platforms. This is because the programmer doesn’t need to code two separate programs but only one back end code would work on all the platforms.

Next, are the speed and performance of both these types of apps. As stated earlier, a native app will work quite smoothly and in fact, it will better perform in comparison to the hybrid version of the app. If the priority is providing the user with high-end graphics and animation packed in an app, then one must choose the native app option. Then, let’s discuss the fact that the native app is able to use more features in comparison to that of the hybrid app. Any app that needs access to the hardware for a smoother functioning needs to develop as a native app.

One huge difference which we have discussed earlier as well is that of the User Interface on both these types of the app once you put them side by side. Native apps tend to provide better interaction between the system and the user. A hybrid app can also a good job but will struggle to match the experience on a native app.

So in conclusion, it should be noted that it depends on your priorities and your needs. If you need to launch the app at less cost and you don’t have a lot of time, you should consider the hybrid option. But if the speed and performance is your priority, then you must go with the native app. Before choosing an approach, as a developer, you must categorically think what is the vision for the app for you. Once you have sorted that, you will understand what should you go for.

You should also make sure that you are aware of the exact needs for the app to work in its full functionality. In the end, the app is about the people who use on a regular basis and it should be kept in mind that the user enjoys the experience completely. Making sure there is a smooth interface will help you build a loyal fan base. In the end, it doesn’t matter what method of making apps you use, it is all about the final product. Many hybrid apps have shown how well they can function on all platforms even though, native apps are quick to respond. As a developer, your goal should be getting all bases covered before you finally launch the app, not just making an app which only promises.

Limra Technosys is a Top Mobile App Development Company in Mumbai, Having expertise in Native Mobile App Development as well as on Hybrid Mobile App Development. If you are looking for trusted app development company in Mumbai, India then please contact +91-9152496037

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