Native vs Hybrid vs Cross-Platform: Which is Best for Your Business?
According to research by Data.ai, the majority of people spend around 4.8 hours a day on mobile devices. Most businesses have started planning to build an application concerning this ratio.
After formulating a business idea, many people struggle to choose the right mobile app development platform among Native, Hybrid, and Cross-platform options. It is crucial to choose the right platform for your application for the success of your business.
There are three main options available for mobile app development: native, hybrid, and cross-platform. Selection among these platforms depends on various factors like the nature of the project, budget, timeline, and target audience. You can also get help from the mobile app development company to make a better decision.
Though platform selection is not an easy task, here we have simplified the process of selection to save you valuable time and effort. To make an informative selection we are going to provide the advantages and disadvantages of each platform.
Let’s move forward to learn about the key differences between hybrid, native, and cross-platform development.
What do you Understand by Native Apps?
Native apps function on a specific operating system and developers create them using the platform’s native programming language. If you are looking to build an Android-specific application you must go with Java or Kotlin, while for the development of iOS applications, we tend to use Objective-C or Swift.
In this type of application development, developers have access to add more features and capabilities to the apps as it allows developers to use the hardware elements of the primary smartphones it provides elements like Proximity sensors, microphones, GPS, cameras, and so on.
Examples of Best Native Apps
- Spotify
- Artsy
- Google Maps
Advantages of Native Apps
Native apps offer several unique advantages, as outlined below:
High Speed:
Native apps comparatively work faster than hybrid and cross-platform applications due to the simple code used for development. Most of the elements and features integrated into the application are rapidly displayed as they preload in advance. The native development platform is usually preferred by startups due to its high development speed and cost-effective nature.
Offline Functionality
Another important advantage of native apps is that they even work well without any internet connection. This is considered the most convenient approach for development due to its functional accessibility during an offline environment or airplane mode. This feature of the native application allows people from low internet connectivity areas to access these apps.
More Intuitive & Interactive
Application developed for specific platforms provides a high experience to the users. Though a native application is always developed for a specific operating system, that ensures it fulfills the complete guidelines of the applications. These applications are more interactive as most of the users get familiar with the app guidelines they have been using for a long time.
Minimized Scope of Bug
Native apps have a very minimal scope of bugs as these apps are developed using a single codebase. Due to its single codebase system, it doesn’t use cross-platform tools and the chances of bugs are reduced.
Utmost Performance
The performance of the native applications is perfect as it doesn’t have a complex codebase like hybrid and cross-platform applications. Moreover, these applications are developed for a specific platform, and due to this, they provide comparatively fast and responsive services. Moreover, selected programming languages and frameworks are used for development to provide more efficient results.
Enhanced Security
Native applications provide a high level of security by ensuring the use of different browsers and technologies like CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript.
Disadvantages of Native App Development
No Code Reusability
If you select native app development you will have to develop a separate application for both iOS and Android operating systems. This process is quite time-consuming and requires high cost for developing both applications, unlike hybrid or cross-platform apps that come with reusable code.
High Maintenance
Naitve apps usually come with a high maintenance cost, as both the apps need to be separately maintained and this process can even cost you more than the development process.
Needs More Skills and Talent
It is difficult to find the right developers for native app development, as it requires skills and expertise in a specific programming language. However, for a native application, you need to hire separate teams for iOS and Andorid applications, while for cross-platform app development, a single development team can work for the development process.
Tools Required for Naitve App Development
Android App Development
- Android Studio
- IntelliJ IDEA
iOS App Development
- XCode
- AppCode
When you Should Consider Developing a Native Mobile App?
- If you have a business of 3D games and animations consider using native platforms.
- When you want to build an app specific for a single operating system.
- If you want to add device-specific functionalities like camera, GPS, etc.
- If you want to provide the best experience to users, ensure to use the native platforms as it doesn’t have a complex code and provide seamless functionalities.
What do You Understand by Hybrid App Development?
Mobile apps that combine online and native technology components are known as hybrid apps. They can work on multiple platforms like iOS, Android, etc., as they are built using common web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and then integrated into native shells WebView is used to host these apps in native applications, plugins or frameworks give them access to the functionality of the device. While hybrid apps can be developed much faster and cheaper than native apps, they can’t deliver the same experience and functionality as apps built specifically for each platform.
Examples of Hybrid App Development
- NHS
- Gmail
- Evernote
- Airbus Helicopter
- JustWatch
Key Advantages of Hybrid App Development
Look further to learn about the different advantages of Hybrid app development:
Rapid Time to Market
Hybrid apps are developed faster than of other development frameworks. Most businesses for a faster development process. Looking at this hybrid app development process has become faster in the market.
Easy Maintenance
The maintenance process of hybrid apps is easy as these apps are particularly based on web technology. The maintenance process doesn’t even require you to invest high effort.
Minimized Cost and Easy Development Process
The development of hybrid applications is simple and cost-effective as compared to native application development. It doesn’t require you to invest time and money on different versions of applications for multiple platforms. A single application can work for multiple platforms.
Improved UI/UX
In the hybrid application you can get features for both native and web applications, these features allow developers to enhance user experience on both the Android and iOS platforms. The UI of the hybrid apps allows for easy loading of the graphics and content of the application for smooth functioning.
Disadvantages of Hybrid App Development
No Offline Support
To access the app functionality and features you must have a good internet connection, these applications don’t work when you are offline, it requires a good internet connection.
OS inconsistencies
Some features particularly work on a specific operating system, so on hybrid apps you can’t integrate all the features, it only supports the features that are supported by different kinds of platforms.
Hybrid App Development Frameworks
- Apache Cordova
- Ionic
When Should You Consider Developing a Hybrid App?
- If you want to test the project idea, you can have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Throughout the app store, you plan to distribute a web app.
- If you want your single app to work ona different platform but you do not have time for cross-platform development solutions, you can surely go for hybrid development solutions.
- If you have a large targeted make that uses an application on both web and mobile devices.
Read more about The Importance of Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Services.
What do You Understand by Cross-Platform Application
With a single codebase, cross-platform applications can be made to run flawlessly on different operating systems. Cross-platform apps are built with special frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin, as opposed to hybrid apps that rely on web technologies By converting shared code into native components these frameworks provide speed improved with a typical native user experience. Cross-platform apps are perfect for companies looking to reach more people because they significantly reduce development time and costs. However, platform-specific research may still be needed for some phenomena, which will complicate the development process.
Examples of Cross-Platform Apps
- Reflectly
- Slack
- Skype
- Insightly
- Bloomberg
- Walmart
- Airbnb
Advantages of Cross-Platform App Development
Single Codebase
It is quite easier to update the features and functionalities in the cross-platform application due to a single codebase feature.
Code Reusability between iOS & Android Apps
In cross-platform applications, you can use a single code on different platforms as it ensures that the code developed is reusable.
Faster Development Time
Developing an app through cross-platform development solutions allows you to develop an application in less time as compared to other strategies and it allows businesses to launch such applications in less time.
Easier Maintenance
It is easy to maintain the cross-platform application as now you have to make changes in a single codebase and the bugs of both the applications will be automatically resolved.
Disadvantages of Cross-Platform App Development
Complex Integrations
It is difficult to integrate cross-platform applications into complex settings, as in cross-platform applications we cannot use platform-specific features.
No offline Functionality
These applications don’t work when a user is offline. So, to take advantage of the features and functionalities of these apps you should have good internet connectivity.
Delayed Features
The cross-platform application needs to be separately updated, as it doesn’t update its features with the new software development kit (SDK) releases.
Increased Security Configurations
There are high threats related to security due to its functioning on web-based technologies.
Famous Cross-Platform Development Frameworks
- Xamarin
- Flutter
- React Native
When to Consider Building a Cross-Platform App?
- If you want to target both Android and iOS users consider taking cross-platform applications.
- It provides faster app development services.
- It doesn’t require complex functionalities between the different platforms.
- If you have limited resources, budget, and time think about choosing a cross-platform application.
Read more about the Key Differences Between Android and iOS App Development.
Native vs Hybrid vs Cross-Platform: Which one is the best for Your Project
Various factors can affect your decision to choose the right platform for your application. You should read all these points to make the best decision for your project needs:
Development Time and Speed to Market
If you are planning to build a native application, ensure that you will need a separate team for development for each platform-specific application. This process can be quite expensive and time-consuming as compared to cross-platform and hybrid solutions. Cross-platform and hybrid applications are considered the best for projects with strict deadlines.
Native applications require more time for development as separate apps will have to be developed for each operating system.
Development Cost & Budget
Your defined development budget will play an important role in selecting the best platform for your application. If your company has a limited budget consider choosing hybrid or cross-platform development solutions, as it allow development using a single codebase and the code developed once can also be reused in the future.
Security
Security is the utmost concern of most of the businesses who are looking to build an application, as they want to protect their user’s data. So, in that case, you should definitely go with native development as it provides high security as they have built-in features for this security.
Security features in native applications are named file encryption and fraud detection.
Performance
Usually, apps have a large file and have heavy computing requirements. So, app development must be done using a native development process as it provides enhanced and speedy performance. It provides users with multiple features like familiar buttons, intuitive UX, and natural features.
Complexity, Custom UX, or Consistency Across Platforms
If you plan to build an application with complex features and customized UX go with native development. Native application provides better performance than hybrid and cross-platform applications.
Moreover, if your application requires a platform like GPS or a camera, make sure to go with native development. With hybrid and cross-platform development solutions you get access to limited features, these apps do not provide the level of functionality native apps provide.
Final Words
With the growing popularity of mobile apps in the market, businesses are moving towards developing mobile applications. But for the development planning to build an application is not enough, you also have to select which platform to use for app development among native, hybrid, and cross-platform applications.
In this blog, you must have understood the advantages, disadvantages, and the best time for using a specific platform for application development. Native apps are highly preferred in a situation where you need next-level security and high performance. If you want your app to read Andorid users consider hiring an Android app development company. If you want to build a responsive application in a short duration and in a lower cost consider selecting hybrid or cross-platform development solutions.
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